THERE is no shortage of trade speculation surrounding Hawthorn ahead of the trade and free agency period, with the Hawks keen to add to their playing stocks ahead of the 2017 season.

Speculation continues to surround Richmond key forward Tyrone Vickery with rumours circulating the 26-year-old had agreed to terms with the Hawks.

Being a restricted free agent, Richmond would have the chance to match any offer put forward for Vickery, who would then have to go into the pre-season draft to get to his preferred destination.

Vickery’s manager Scott Lucas said earlier in the week that his client, who was selected by the Tigers with pick eight in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, had attracted additional interest from other clubs – not just Hawthorn.

"Free agency is something we'll strongly explore, and I don't think that's a secret," Lucas said.

"The newspapers have been very specific (in regards to Hawthorn), and I think it's a bit broader than that,” he said

"There's additional interest here."

Gold Coast Sun Jaeger O’Meara is also keen on a move to Hawthorn, but Gold Coast Football Manager Marcus Ashcroft has told NAB Trade Radio deals to get O’Meara to Waverley and team mate Dion Presita to Richmond are nowhere near finalised.

“Both clubs, Hawthorn and Richmond, have approached our players. The way we see it, we'll leave the ball in their court to come back with what they think is going to be a fair trade to get a deal done," Ashcroft said.

"We're nowhere near the end point in both of those regards. We've had discussions and we'll continue to have discussions."

Ashcroft said the Suns had no fears about forcing O’Meara into the pre-season draft if a trade was unable to be orchestrated with the Hawks.

"There's always that chance. Our chairman's stated that publicly. We're all waiting to see what they (Hawthorn) come up with," Ashcroft said.

O’Meara has not played an AFL game since 2014 after struggling with persistent knee injuries.

He returned to play three games in the NEAFL towards the end of the 2016 season, before another minor knee surgery derailed any chance of an AFL return.

AFL clubs will be able to make offers to free agents from this Friday and have until October 19 to match offers from rival clubs.

The official trade period will open next Monday, with a deadline set for 2pm on October 20.