Carlton will lodge the paperwork on Monday to recruit high-profile AFL free agent Dale Thomas from Collingwood.

The Blues have put a four-year offer to the 2011 All-Australian midfielder reportedly worth more than $2.5 million.

He is the second-biggest free agency player this year behind Hawthorn star Lance Franklin.

The AFL are still investigating Sydney’s monster nine-year offer for Franklin.

Thomas is a restricted free agent, meaning the Magpies have three days to match the offer.

But the fact that Thomas did not attend last Friday night’s Collingwood best-and-fairest award reinforces the expectation that he will be reunited with his old coach Mick Malthouse.

“Obviously we’ve put a reasonable offer to Dale and we’ll see what happens,” Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

“It depends on Collingwood, whether they give us an indication today or over the next three days.”

McKay spoke to the media on day one of the AFL trade period, with clubs meeting at Etihad Stadium.

He confirmed Shaun Hampson could be on the move, with Richmond and potentially Hawthorn interested in the ruck-forward.

“We have a number of people who will be up for grabs,” McKay said.

“It’s a terrible time of year for individuals like that.

“We have a number of people who clubs have shown an interest in and so it will just depend on what interest we have.”

New West Coast coach Adam Simpson said on Monday the club had no intention of releasing young midfield star Luke Shuey to a club in his home state of Victoria.

Shuey has a year left on his contract and had attracted interest from Victorian clubs.

Also on Monday morning, North Melbourne were forced to use their first-round pick at No.8 to secure father-son selection Luke McDonald.

The Eagles bid their first-round pick on McDonald, forcing North to match them.

Adelaide bid their No.42 pick on Brisbane academy key forward Jonathan Freeman, under rules similar to the father-son system.

That forced the Lions to commit their No.59 pick on Freeman.