St Kilda football boss Simon Lethlean has put the Saints’ top AFL draft pick on the table for GWS star Dylan Shiel.
The onballer joins Gold Coast co-captain Steven May and Melbourne key forward Jesse Hogan as three key players in the trade period who are yet to declare their hands.
Trade negotiations opened on Monday and their decisions are expected in the next couple of days.
Fremantle star Lachie Neale wants a trade to Brisbane, but the Dockers remain determined to keep him.
St Kilda are among four Victorian clubs courting Shiel, while May could also move to Victoria.
Hogan toured Fremantle’s facilities last week, but is yet to tell the Demons whether he wants to return to WA.
Last Friday, Saints list manager James Gallagher said they would not use their No.4 pick in a trade for Shiel.
But Lethlean made it clear on Monday that they would pull out all the stops to secure the midfielder and they remain confident they can secure him ahead of Essendon, Carlton and Hawthorn.
“All assets are on the table to get a deal done,” Lethlean said.
“We haven’t been told no (by Shiel) so until we are, it’s a yes.”
Richmond have secured key forward Tom Lynch with Gold Coast confirming on Monday they would not try to match the Tigers’ offer for the restricted free agent.
The former Suns co-captain has joined Richmond on a monster seven-year deal.
Gold Coast will receive pick No.3 in the draft as compensation.
While Shiel, May and Hogan are the the three big trade dominoes, Andrew Gaff made the first big call on Sunday when the midfielder confirmed he would stay at West Coast.
North football boss Cameron Joyce said they were disappointed to miss out on Gaff, but would keep trying to land a big name.
The Roos also courted Richmond star Dustin Martin and GWS midfielder Josh Kelly last year without success.
“We’re not here to run second, but at the same time trying to get players of that ilk … it’s very, very difficult,” Joyce said.
“We’re going to continue to have a crack. We don’t shy away from that.”
There was some good news for the Kangaroos, with Bailey Scott, the son of North premiership player Robert Scott, nominating them as his preferred father-son destination.
Brisbane confirmed the first trade on Monday, signing fringe Geelong player Lincoln McCarthy in a deal that also involved multiple third- and fourth-round draft picks from the two clubs.
Fringe Tigers Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis are also headed to the Suns.
But the Western Bulldogs said they would hold Marcus Adams to his contract, despite the defender wanting a trade to the Lions.
West Coast also said on Monday that they might match Port Adelaide’s offer for restricted free agent Scott Lycett.
The Eagles have until 1pm on Tuesday to make that decision.
