Thursday, October 19 - DEADLINE DAY!

Cats list and recruiting manager Stephen Wells gives an update on the last-minute haggling over Gary Ablett.

Multiple reports suggest Darcy Lang will be granted his desired move to Carlton.

Wednesday, October 18

AFL.com.au reports on the talks between the Cats and the Suns at a Melbourne restaurant regarding Gary Ablett.

The Age reports that Darcy Lang has requested a trade to Carlton.

Chief football reporter at The Age, Caroline Wilson, reports on the financial maneuvering in the dealings between Geelong and Gold Coast regarding Gary Ablett.

"Gary Ablett has put his hand into his own pocket, forgoing a six-figure sum of money due to him from the Gold Coast in order to accommodate the Suns and his own wish to end his playing career with Geelong," Wilson writes.

"In a bid to push through a complex deal with the Cats, Ablett and his manager Liam Pickering told Gold Coast bosses several weeks ago that the champion player would ensure the Suns be repaid the estimated $300,000 from his front-ended contract."

Tuesday, October 17

Gold Coast's ability to land Fremantle's Lachie Weller could affect negotiations with Geelong and its pursuit of Gary Ablett, according to The Courier Mail.

Bringing in Weller, a midfielder ready to contribute immediately, might mean the Suns would accept a draft pick for Ablett, instead of demanding a player.

Geelong's compensation for Steven Motlop, pick No.19, could be traded to Gold Coast, then on to Fremantle, as part of a Weller deal.

Brandon Matera could also be involved in a trade to bring Weller to the Suns.

Monday, October 16

AFL.com.au reports that Darcy Lang is weighing his options after touring North Melbourne, with a potential trade for the uncontracted speedster likely to go down "to the wire".

Lang is reportedly seeking greater midfield opportunities and is keen to stay in Victoria.  

Carlton has also been linked to the 21-year-old from Colac, who has played 44 games and booted 31 goals for the Cats.

"Darcy's got a decision to make. Geelong are keen to retain (him) and he's also met with a couple (of clubs) and we'll work through this week," his manager Scott Lucas tells SEN.

"What I will say is the (Thursday) deadline means that it will go all up to the wire. 

"All the decisions and deals will be done on the Wednesday and Thursday. 

"It's all getting organised for the frenzy, for want of a better word, later this week."

The mooted deal to give Gary Ablett a fairytale homecoming back to Geelong is "not that close" to being finalised, Cats list manager Stephen Wells tells RSN radio.

READ: Ablett deal a work in progress

Saturday, October 14

Steven Motlop is officially a Port Adelaide player after Geelong declines to match the Power's four-year, $2 million deal for the restricted free agent.

As compensation, the Cats will receive an end of first round selection, which currently falls at pick No.19.

Wednesday, October 11

Geelong list manager Stephen Wells tells NAB AFL Trade Radio Mitch Duncan, Nakia Cockatoo and Jake Kolodjashnij had been ruled off limits in any trade for former Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett.

Wells also says the Cats are unlikely to land Jack Watts or Jake Stringer.

North Melbourne list manager Michael McMahon confirms the club's interest in uncontracted Cats midfielder Darcy Lang. "We've had some conversations with Darcy and his management," McMahon says. "There's still a bit to work through there throughout the trade period, but that's ongoing." Lang has also been linked to Carlton and Gold Coast via the proposed Ablett trade.

Tuesday, October 10

AFL Media reports that, "Jack Watts toured Geelong's Simonds Stadium headquarters on Tuesday and will choose between the Cats and Port Adelaide as his new football home. He has got his head around leaving Melbourne and has ruled out Sydney as a potential destination."

Peter Ryan, formerly of AFL Media and now working for The Age, says North Melbourne is interested in Darcy Lang.

Restricted free agent Steven Motlop continues to be linked with Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast.

The Adelaide Advertiser reports that the Crows are in the box seat to secure his services as they are apparently prepared to offer Motlop a deal worth around $600,000 per season.

Under the free agency rules, the Cats will have the opportunbity to match any offer made to Motlop.

Monday, October 9

It is widely reported that the Cats remain in the hunt for Western Bulldog Jake Stringer and Melbourne's Jack Watts, despite Stringer nominating Essendon as his preferred club and Watts being repeatedly linked with Port Adelaide.

READ: Cats still in the mix for Stringer and Watts

There is a lot of talk about Gary Ablett's desire to return to Geelong.

Gold Coast list mananger Scott Clayton tells the media assembled at Etihad Stadium on Monday that, "Obviously most [deals get done]. There's some work to do, there's no doubt about that, we're not at the finishing line yet."