GWS speedster Zac Williams is one step closer to joining Carlton with the Blues lodging paperwork for the restricted free agent with the AFL on Friday.

Williams, 26, expressed his desire to join the Blues in September after 113 games for GWS.

The Giants have three days to decide whether they will match Carlton’s offer and force a trade.

But they are unlikely to match Carlton’s offer for Williams as he is set to join the Blues on a lucrative long-term deal – one that is likely to secure the Giants a first-round draft pick as compensation.

Once Williams is secured, the Blues are set to turn their attentions to securing Essendon half-back Adam Saad.

The Giants are set for a bumper free agency and trade period with Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) and Aidan Corr (North Melbourne), also restricted free agents, keen to depart.

Jye Caldwell (Essendon), Zac Langdon (West Coast) and Jackson Hately (Adelaide) will be on the move when the trade period kicks off on Monday, November 7.

The free agency window opened on Friday morning, with Gold Coast kicking off proceedings by lodging a contract offer to Adelaide’s Rory Atkins.

As an unrestricted free agent, Atkins can join the Suns immediately.

Atkins played 101 games for Adelaide, including the 2017 grand-final loss, but fell out of favour under Matthew Nicks this year, making just four AFL appearances.