"It's an interesting day. Everyone's a bit coy, everyone's interested in everyone's players but there's not a lot of commitments made on this day," Balme said.

It was a fair description. Contingents from all 18 AFL clubs arrived at Etihad Stadium prior to 10am on Monday, and after they had all departed by 4pm, not a single trade had been finalised.

There were plenty of discussions though, with Paddy Ryder, Dayne Beams and Mitch Clark squarely on the agenda.

Much like what stemmed from the day's events at Tullamarine, there was little movement on the Ryder front, with Essendon adamant that Ryder remained a required player, and that Port Adelaide would have to offer a commensurate talent to land the ruckman, who has requested a trade to the Power.

It's "apples for apples, not apples for a bag of peanuts," Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.

Asked if the matter was likely to drag on, Dodoro replied, "It's up to Port Adelaide."

In a similar vein, Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine indicated that the Magpies had not made any ground with the Brisbane Lions on a trade for the contracted Beams, although the Brisbane Lions remained confident that a deal would be done for the 24-year-old - who wants to return to his home state of Queensland to be near his ill father.

Lions recruiting chief Peter Schwab indicated that the Magpies had accepted that the Lions would not be relinquishing a player, as per the initial request of Collingwood.

"It'll come down to a pick or a combination of picks maybe shuffling around."

Clark - who is still Melbourne-listed after coming out of retirement - has nominated Geelong as his destination of choice. Balme was optimistic.

"Nothing's been done as yet but we're fairly confident it'll be OK. Melbourne have been pretty reasonable."

Balme also added that there was some interest in Cats dasher Travis Varcoe, who Balme said was open to a move.

One star who appears to almost certainly be staying put is Victorian-born Crow Patrick Dangerfield.

Adelaide head of football David Noble again dismissed any speculation that Dangerfield would not remain at the club in 2015, or beyond.

"He's not on the table, he's not going to be and I don't know why all the kerfuffle continues to unfold. It's a ridiculous suggestion...he's a required player and there's no issue," Noble said.

"You back your system in every time. Those stars are really hard to develop, they're hard to find."

Carlton has its fingers in many pies, with football manager Andrew McKay confirming that the club had been in discussion on Monday with GWS about key position player Kristian Jaksch, and the Western Bulldogs about forward Liam Jones and utility Jason Tutt.

Jaksch - who St Kilda is also interested in - was unlikely to become a Blue according to McKay.

"It will be difficult, they obviously think Kristian's a very good player and want a fair bit for him. We think he's a very good player but don't want to give up too much for him," McKay said. McKay also said there had been interest in both of out-of-favour Carlton pair Mitch Robinson and Jeff Garlett.

In other day one news:

- The Saints confirmed on their website that they will seek a trade with Sydney for young forward Tim Membrey, who has requested a move to Seaford

- Gold Coast has offered out-of-contract Swan star Nick Malceski a three-year deal

- Collingwood did not yet know whether North Melbourne midfielder Levi Greenwood wanted to leave the Roos

- Melbourne and the Magpies are continuing to discuss a trade for Pie veteran Heritier Lumumba

- Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett was likely to sign soon according to Dodoro

- The Crows have also fielded offers for Victorian midfielder Jarryd Lyons