The AFL trade period is throwing up a few talking points heading into the new week. Jake Stringer, the veteran forward, held talks with Essendon about a possible return to his former club. The Sydney Swans knocked back a bid for a player currently serving a suspension. Collingwood has run into a snag in at least one trade it is pursuing.

Separately, some figures in the game are calling for an end to a contested element of the trade period format, though nothing has been locked in. The period is still under way, with clubs still pushing to get trades done.