Melbourne’s Jeremy Howe is poised to depart the Demons, with Gold Coast making a strong play for the high-marking utility.

The 25-year-old has played a number of roles in 100 games over five seasons for Melbourne and has expressed a desire to lock down a position at a new home.

“I think he’s more likely to go than stay at this stage,” manager Ben Niall told Trade Radio.

“What we’re looking for is if he gets in the right environment and he can play in one role, which has been an issue for him, and master that role because he’s got enormous capacities, the money will take care of itself.

“People probably don’t realise but he is an elite endurance runner … and he’s a dominant repeat sprinter.

“We think, and a lot of the clubs we’ve spoken to, they have got more of a Jack Gunston-type of role for him, to be more involved in the play, and use his tool kit.”

Niall said that the Suns had made a presentation to Howe last week, with the player now mulling that offer and two others from rival Victorian clubs while holidaying in Bali.

Gold Coast will be keen to bring in some experienced hands during the coming trade period.

The club is set to lose Charlie Dixon, who wants to go to Port Adelaide, Zac Smith, who is seeking greater opportunities elsewhere, and Harley Bennell, who looks set to be traded to Fremantle.

Friday marked the start of the free agency period with the AFL’s trade window to open on Monday.

Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield’s path to Geelong remains up in the air with West Coast’s Scott Selwood the subject of the only free agent paperwork officially lodged with the AFL.

As expected, the Cats made an offer for the restricted free agent, with Selwood informing the Eagles of his desire to return to Victoria to play with brother Joel.

The 25-year-old was left out of West Coast’s grand final side but the club has three days to decide whether it will choose to match Geelong’s offer.

In other trade news, Collingwood are confident of trading for GWS onballer Adam Treloar but less optimistic of orchestrating a deal for Brisbane midfielder James Aish.