Carlton have formally applied to recruit AFL restricted free agent Dale Thomas from Collingwood.

The Blues lodged the paperwork on Monday afternoon and Collingwood have three days to match the offer.

But the Magpies are not expected to stand in the way of Thomas’ lucrative four-year offer from their arch-rivals.

The AFL continues to investigate Sydney’s monster nine-year offer for Hawthorn restricted agent Lance Franklin.

Also on Monday, the first deal of the trade period was completed when Richmond swapped their second-round draft pick for Carlton ruckman Shaun Hampson.