AFL trade news: Live updates and news from day 8 of the AFL trade period

Nearly 20 deals are still up in the air ahead of the final three days of trade period, but many of them are held up by a dam wall of three crucial moves which will define all others.

Trade period is about to enter its frantic final three days, with nearly 20 deals still expected to go through — plus more pick swaps and curveballs to come.

But three deals are acting like a dam, holding back trades all across the league and creating the logjam which gave us nearly three days without a single trade last week.

Here are the three biggest dominoes which have to fall before the torrent of trades is unleashed..

GOLD COAST’S PICK 13

The hottest pick on the market is still up for sale.

The Suns have effectively held an auction on pick 13, with clubs well aware it was always up for grabs.

Carlton, Collingwood and now Melbourne have been the main players in a battle for the Suns’ second selection in the draft, but the Blues may have put the cue in the rack after acquiring pick 14 from the Hawks last week.

The Demons are reportedly coming hard with offers of future picks and points for the Suns to match a bid on academy prospect Leo Lombard, with Melbourne desperate to gain more picks in this draft.

Gold Coast list boss Craig Cameron at Marvel Stadium last week. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

However, the Pies need this pick in order to have any hope of landing Dan Houston from the Power, and they’re smitten with the idea of him off half-back for them.

Other clubs are also in the market for more picks, so the Suns could well throw a curveball here, too.

This pick is the flame which could well blow trade period sky-high.

John Noble is likely to be tied up in this deal – and it’s unclear how he makes his way to the Suns without pick 13 coming back – while Joe Richards’ move to Port could also be tied up in it.

Daniel Rioli’s move may also be linked here, as the draft points gained here for pick 13 could impact how those negotiations play out.

Will John Noble find his way to Gold Coast? Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

TOM BARRASS/PICK 3

Tom Barrass was supposed to be an easy trade for the Hawks and Eagles to complete, but as the Hawks soared higher and higher up the ladder the less happy West Coast became.

In the end, pick 14 wasn’t enough to satisfy them, so the Hawks moved it on for future picks – to the delight of Nick Austin and the Blues.

The problem with that is now the Hawks and Eagles need to find new terms to agree to a deal, either dealing in future picks or something else – and this leaves Liam Baker in limbo.

Tom Barrass has been left in limbo after Hawthorn’s trade last week. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Baker’s move was set to be a simple equation once pick 14 moved across the Nullabor – it would head straight back to Punt Rd for the Tigers’ vice-captain.

Now, Baker has been left in limbo.

The Eagles have floated splitting pick 3, and the Blues are keen on it – and now have two first-rounders to package for it.

Is that the move which unlocks Baker, and makes the Eagles content to take future picks?

DAN HOUSTON

While plenty of dominoes have to fall before Dan Houston is able to move back to Victoria, his move itself will set off other dominoes.

As mentioned before, Joe Richards’ fate is likely tied to Houston leaving Port Adelaide, which Jack Lukosius may not move before the Power confirm what compensation they would receive for Houston.

Dan Houston of the Power is the biggest unknown in the trade period. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Pick 13 may also be tied up in a three-way deal between the Suns, Pies, and Power.

However, if Houston choses to move to North Melbourne, or Carlton decide they do want to re-enter the race – the futures of Richards, Noble, and Lukosius all become murkier.

Likewise, North Melbourne might decide to pursue Caleb Daniel with more vigour if they can’t land Houston, and could be hitting pause on the Swans’ demands for Luke Parker until they know if they need picks to satisfy the Power.

Originally published as AFL trade news: Live updates and news from day 8 of the AFL trade period