Get all the latest news in the trade, free agency and draft landscape in Inside Trading, AFL.com.au's dedicated column for player movement. Find out the latest on contracts, deals, trades, draftees, rules, agents and who is going where from the AFL.com.au team.

WE NEVER rule out a Deadline Day surprise.

But after an action-packed week, there are less than 10 players whose futures are hanging ahead of the final day of this year's Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period. 

Clubs have been locked in talks all day on Tuesday to nut out potential deals as other trades went through and will again be overnight before Wednesday.

Deals will be able to be lodged any time on Wednesday but won't be processed by the AFL until 2pm AEDT onwards, with all the action to be captured live on AFL.com.au's Deadline Day coverage. 

NICK MURRAY

It's a waiting game for Murray, who got pushed down the Kangaroos' list of priorities when Nick Blakey became available. North has tabled its 2027 first-round pick and pick No.33 this year for the Adelaide defender, but the Crows aren't budging and would need a top-20 selection this year to look at moving the contracted backman. The Roos don't have a whole lot of other assets to throw in that could appeal to the Crows, so this one will go down to the wire.

KEIDEAN COLEMAN

Essendon offered pick No.27 for Coleman, but the Lions are not interested in that selection and are eyeing the Bombers' pick 17. If the Bombers put that pick on the table, a deal would be done. But Essendon has made clear it won't use picks No.17 and 21 for any deal for Coleman, who has a year to run on his contract at Brisbane and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027 but has been searching for a new home in recent weeks and wants to be a Bomber. 

JAYDEN SHORT

Feels like it's one that could go down to the wire. Collingwood has described its Short chase as 'unlikely', but Richmond will leave the phone lines open right through until Wednesday's 7.30pm AEDT deadline. The Pies might need to get creative to get this one done, though, given they've so far shown a reluctance to put forward either picks at No.11 or 30. The Tigers have wanted something in the vicinity of a second-round pick for Short, who is contracted at Punt Road for another couple of years. Collingwood is also juggling a list spot squeeze, adding a further layer of complication to the deal.

TRENT RIVERS

The wheels are in motion on a Rivers trade to West Coast, but they're moving along very slowly. The Eagles have been trying to get a deal done, and Rivers is open to a trade home, but the exact specifics of how it looks remains up in the air. With a year to run on his contract, heading into a free agency season in 2027, all parties are comfortable for Rivers to return to Melbourne if it doesn't work out. However, heading into Deadline Day, there is still hope the 2021 premiership player lands at West Coast by night's end.

LUKE PEDLAR

No meaningful talks between Adelaide and Port Adelaide so far on a deal for Pedlar, but the strong expectation is this will get done on Wednesday before deadline strikes. The Power hold late selections this year, including No.65, but the Crows have also indicated they would prefer a pick slide with Pedlar being the centrepiece of the deal to get one of their selections higher.

JACK VINEY

Viney's move to West Coast is still expected, although there have been some delays on a deal and how it all takes place. The Eagles have been looking to separate their deals with their two Melbourne targets in Viney and Rivers, with a late pick the likely trade price for Viney if a deal can be agreed. The Melbourne premiership player has two years to run on his deal at the Dees but was advised to explore options if he wanted to play at senior level next year.  

JOSH GOATER

There had been confidence Goater could find his way to Hawthorn, perhaps even by Tuesday night, but it now looks like being one of the first to be completed when the gates open at 2pm AEDT on Wednesday. The Hawks and the Kangas have been in good dialogue around a deal, with a few options presented. One involves pick swaps this year and another more likely option could be Hawthorn handing over a later 2027 selection.

WILL McLACHLAN

McLachlan is determined to get to Melbourne, despite talks with Brisbane failing to progress since an initial offer was made last Thursday. The Demons have tabled the No.48 pick for the forward, but the Lions have wanted something of more value. There had been a thought Essendon could still get involved if a trade isn't struck, potentially via the Pre-Season Draft where it holds the No.1 pick, given McLachlan met with the Bombers last week as he weighed his final call. However, the 21-year-old only has eyes for Melbourne and Essendon's interest has cooled as well. A trade price is still difficult to gauge, given the Demons don't have a pick this year between No.14 and 48 and have already shifted four picks across 2027 and 2028 drafts to rival teams in this window.

PICK NO.5

Richmond is strongly placed to trade for Port Adelaide's prized pick No.5, with AFL.com.au revealing on Saturday the Tigers' hot pursuit of the selection. The Power can deal the pick on Wednesday or wait until the pick swaps window, but Tigers list boss Blair Hartley said on Tuesday the view was the pick would move during the window. Many clubs have enquired and there's been a rush of interest but the Tigers' future first-round pick, plus pick 22 this year, in their offer will be hard to top.