Dockers waiting in wings as Liam Baker mulls AFL future, while Fremantle also eye securing Shai Bolton

Fremantle are making a big pitch to Richmond and Liam Baker, should his preferred AFL trade to West Coast fall over.

Baker wants to reunite with new Eagles coach Andrew McQualter after they worked together at Richmond.

But Hawthorn’s trade of the No.14 draft pick to Carlton on Friday complicated that plan.

The scenario had been that the No.14 selection would be used as part of the Hawks bringing in defender Tom Barrass from the Eagles, who then would pass on that pick in the Baker deal.

With three days left in the trade period, all the major deals are still being negotiated ahead of Wednesday’s 7.30pm deadline.

“Our understanding is his desire is still to get to West Coast,” Dockers football manager Joe Brierty told AFL Trade Radio on Monday morning.

“We’re respectful of that ... (but) he suits our list and our profile, and if the opportunity was to arise, we feel we have the collateral to meet Richmond’s needs.

“Ultimately, it’s in Liam’s corner. We’ll continue to have those discussions with (him) and his manager.”

Fremantle’s main trade target is Baker’s Richmond teammate Shai Bolton.

Also on Monday morning, Essendon and Melbourne completed a swap of draft picks that sent the Bombers’ No.9 selection to the Demons.

It means Melbourne have the fifth and ninth picks in what is considered a strong draft, while Essendon take a big step towards recruiting their highly rated academy prospect Isaac Kako.

Melbourne and Adelaide also swapped draft picks to open Monday’s trade action before the Demons-Bombers pick swaps were confirmed.

As part of the deal, Melbourne sent six lower 2024 and 2025 draft picks to Essendon.

The other AFL news so far on Monday has been star Carlton defender Jacob Weitering signing a six-year contract extension.

With the Tasmanian expansion team looming, Weitering has joined St Kilda key forward Max King and Richmond tall utility Noah Balta in signing long-term deals.

Apart from Baker and Bolton, Daniel Rioli (Gold Coast) is the other top Richmond player wanting a new home.

Bailey Smith, Dan Houston, Barrass, Jake Stringer and Jack Lukosius are other key names among more than a dozen players in the trade mix.

Gold Coast’s pick No.13 has also assumed near-mythical status over the past few days as rival clubs try to deal for it.

Houston, Port Adelaide’s two-time All-Australian defender, wants a return to Melbourne, but is yet to nominate his preferred club. Collingwood, Carlton and North Melbourne are the front-runners to secure him.

The Western Bulldogs and Geelong continue to haggle over Smith, who wants to leave the kennel and head to the Cats.

Lukosius is set to leave the Suns and head to Port, while Stringer could go from Essendon to GWS.

Amid the speculation, Melbourne remain adamant that star midfielder Clayton Oliver is going nowhere.

Oliver met with the Cats, but the Demons since have said he will be with them next season.