Gold Coast's No.13 draft pick could be the key that unlocks the Dan Houston AFL trade deal for Collingwood.
But as the trade period opened on Monday, the Suns were keeping their options open as they also try to recruit Richmond star Daniel Rioli.
As expected, Melbourne forward Alex Neal-Bullen was traded to Adelaide for pick No.28, three days after polling third in the Demons' best-and-fairest voting.
Veteran West Coast key forward Jack Darling went to North Melbourne for the Kangaroos' No.67 pick.
Houston, Port Adelaide's two-time All-Australian defender, and Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith are two of the biggest names trying to secure trades ahead of the October 16 deadline.
Rioli and teammates Shai Bolton (Fremantle) and Liam Baker (West Coast) also want new homes. But the Tigers are saying it's up to other clubs to come up with deals for the contracted trio, while restricted free agent Jack Graham will go to the Eagles.
Much of the talk on Monday was around Houston, who wants to join a Melbourne-based club.
Collingwood are hopeful Joe Richards' desire to join Port Adelaide can help them secure Houston.
Richards, who has played just nine games for Collingwood, made his request to join the Power official as the trade period opened.
But the Suns are keen to recruit Magpies defender John Noble and that might put their No.13 pick into play.
The Magpies, Carlton and North Melbourne have all been linked to Houston, who has three years left on his contract.
Richmond defender Daniel Rioli also wants to reunite with his former coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast.
Suns list boss Craig Cameron hinted the likes of Collingwood and Richmond could be in the box seat for pick 13.
"Our plan with pick 13 is to deal with clubs that we need some players from," Cameron said.
On arrival at Marvel Stadium on Monday, Collingwood list boss Justin Leppitsch said his club was "very" interested in Houston.
"We'd love to see him in our colours next year but there's obviously a lot to play out over the next 10 days or so," Leppitsch said.
Carlton list manager Nick Austin has noted that Houston is yet to nominate his preferred club.
"I'm assuming we're in the mix, but he wants to get back to Melbourne - that's clear," Austin said.
Power football boss Chris Davies said Houston understood any deal had to be right for the club.
"He hasn't ruled anyone out, nor have we asked him to rule anyone out yet," Davies said.
"It's a good position for us to be in, to have multiple clubs who want a player.
"I would imagine they'll work themselves up into some sort of fever pitch ... that they'll be willing to give us what we do want."
Smith has confirmed he wants to join Geelong and if it comes off, that will be one of the most momentous deals of this trade period.
Bulldogs list manager Sam Power made it clear they would drive a hard bargain for Smith.
"We think Bailey's worth a lot," he said. "We expect a lot for Bailey."
Geelong also arranged a meeting with disgruntled Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver last week at Cats star Rhys Stanley's farm.
But the Demons insisted at Friday's best and fairest night that Oliver, who attended the function, is not on the trade table.
Tigers football manager Blair Hartley was to the point when asked about the trade period and Rioli, Bolton and Baker.
"It's really on other clubs ... to come to us," he said.
GWS have shown some initial interest in Essendon's Jake Stringer, who wants more security than he currently has with one year left on his deal with the Bombers.
Meanwhile, Levi Casboult has retired after 198 games at Carlton and Gold Coast.
