FIVE KEY FACTORS THAT WILL HELP SHAPE THIS YEAR’S AFL TRADE PERIOD

The 2017 AFL trade period kicks off in Melbourne on Monday morning. Here are five key elements that will heavily influence proceedings:

* Essendon – the Bombers will try to find a way to get Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad into their club. They have a reputation for being difficult to trade with, but they’ll need to get creative if they’re to land the talented trio. Moving on former No.6 draft pick Aaron Francis to a South Australian club might be unavoidable.

* Adelaide – the Crows are an unwilling central figure this trade period after Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron walked out. But if the beaten grand finalists can put their hurt feelings to one side they could end up with a strong position at the draft or possibly even Carlton star Bryce Gibbs.

* Gold Coast – what will Geelong need to come up with to satisfy the Suns in a trade for Gary Ablett? Gold Coast have been talking tough on the issue, but Ablett has threatened to retire if he doesn’t get his way. The Suns are sympathetic to Adam Saad’s reasons for requesting a trade to Essendon but they want a late first-round or early second-round pick in return.

* Geelong’s Steven Motlop – the restricted free agent is suddenly hot property, being chased by Port Adelaide, the Crows and Gold Coast. Where he chooses to play his footy from next year will heavily influence the trade strategies of those three clubs, as well as the Cats.

* Melbourne – Jack Watts’ time is up at the club and what the Demons get in return for him could prove decisive in landing Jake Lever. The Demons’ first and second round picks (10 and 27) are on the table but Adelaide wants two first-rounders.