Finally, it's here. The free agency period begins today with eligible players able to exercise their rights under the system from 9am AEST.   

AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action each morning until the end of the NAB AFL Trade Period on Wednesday, October 17. 

Shiel decision looms, but the Blues to baulk Giant price  

Dylan Shiel could decide between potential new homes Carlton, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Essendon as early as Monday, says the Herald Sun.   

But, the Blues are set to reject the Giants' request for their No.1 NAB AFL Draft selection if Shiel picks their club, with their preference to use a future first-round selection instead.   

The reason is their desire to land Geelong Falcons young gun Sam Walsh with the top pick in next month's draft.   

Adding to this, The Age is reporting the Saints are offering the most money – around $1.3 million a season over six years – but are also reluctant to part with their first draft pick, which is No.4, and are keener to deal with a future pick.   

In an assessment of which club is in the box seat to land Shiel, the article suggests the Saints, Blues and Bombers – who have pick No.8 – are better placed than the Hawks.   

In a move that could officially open the free agency period, the Cats are likely to lodge their offer for Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus on Friday, according to The Age

The premiership player is an unrestricted free agent, which means the Dogs are unable to make a counter-offer.   

It comes after the Bulldogs confirmed to AFL.com.au on Thursday they are keen on Port Adelaide gun Chad Wingard and have spoken to his management about the possibility of a move to Whitten Oval.   

However, the Power say the contracted forward is yet to request a trade. 

The sun to set on Lynch 

The Tigers are expected to lodge the paperwork to secure Tom Lynch on Friday, with AFL.com.au's Nick Bowen reporting he could be one of the first players to have an offer submitted.   

But, as a restricted free agent, Gold Coast will then have three days to read through the offer, which is expected to net the club pick No.3 in the NAB AFL Draft.   

The Suns will assess the scope of the deal to determine if they can bring in another free agent on a lesser contract without it affecting the Lynch compensation.   

The Age says the player caught up in that scenario is popular Geelong player George Horlin-Smith.   

The offer from the Tigers is expected to be worth at least six years and possibly even seven.   

Clubs have until Friday week to lodge offers with the Herald Sun reporting Reece Conca will head to Fremantle and Alex Fasolo to Carlton.    

In other news 
Geelong midfielder Tim Kelly is yet to decide if he'll request a trade home to Western Australian with a year to go on his current contract, says the Herald Sun.   

While Kelly remains a wanted player at the Cats, Daniel Menzel's future in the hoops is less certain with his manager Adam Ramanauskas telling RSN Radio he is less confident than last year his client will be offered a new deal.   

Despite winning the best clubman award at Thursday night's best and fairest, fringe Cat Horlin-Smith is expected to land at Gold Coast, along with Tiger pair Corey Ellis and Anthony Miles.   

However, the Herald Sun has reported former Crow and two-time Magarey medal winner Mitch Grigg isn't expected to join them at the Suns.   

The Bulldogs are "really confident" Tom Liberatore will be at the club next year, says AFL.com.au, with talks on his contract extension to ramp up over the weekend. 

But, they are yet to hear back from Jordan Roughead's management about the offer they've put to the premiership ruckman.