Port Adelaide’s Jackson Trengove is expected to join the Western Bulldogs on Friday when the AFL free agency period opens.

Trengove, who is a restricted free agent, found himself out of favour with coach Ken Hinkley late in the season and was unable to earn an AFL recall after being dropped ahead of round 21.

There were unconfirmed reports Trengove visited Whitten Oval on Thursday ahead of his expected move back to his home state.

The 26-year-old was the 22nd overall pick at the 2008 draft and has played 153 games for the club.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Power, with former Brisbane skipper Tom Rockliff poised to join the club.

The 27-year-old is also a restricted free agent, which means the Lions can match any free agency offer made to him, but he has almost certainly played his last game for the club.

Rockliff, who was stripped of the Lions captaincy last year, came close to leaving the club during the 2016 trade period.

He was heavily courted by Carlton in recent weeks, but opted for Port with an eye on playing finals.

Geelong’s Daniel Menzel (unrestricted) and Steven Motlop (restricted) and North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson (restricted) are other notable players in a thin free agency crop this year.

The free agency period starts at 9am AEDT on Friday and ends at 5pm on Sunday October 15.

In AFL trade news, Essendon are set for a busy AFL trade period, with Devon Smith, Adam Saad and Jake Stringer all understood to have requested trades to the club.

The trio would provide a huge boost to John Worsfold’s line-up but Essendon face a tough task to land all three, holding picks 11, 28, 46, 65 and 83 at this year’s draft.

The Bombers also have the option of trading out picks at next year’s draft or including a current player in any potential deals.

Speculation has mounted that Adelaide’s Charlie Cameron will follow Jake Lever out the door at West Lakes.

Lever confirmed he wants to be traded to Melbourne on Tuesday, while Cameron is expected to ask for a trade to the Lions to be closer to family.

Unlike Lever, Cameron is contracted for next season and could still remain with the beaten grand finalist.

Hawthorn confirmed premiership skipper Luke Hodge is intent on continuing his AFL career with Brisbane.

The four-time premiership star will go with the Hawks’ blessing.

The AFL trade period opens at 9am on Monday October 9 and ends at 2pm on Thursday October 19.