Essendon and the Western Bulldogs remain locked in a Mexican standoff over the future of Jake Stringer after a busy day of AFL trade activity.
The Bulldogs' forward was left in limbo on Thursday as prized targets Jake Lever and Devon Smith found new homes.
Key defender Lever arrived in Melbourne on a four-year deal after the Demons parted ways with two first-round draft selections.
Essendon agreed to send their No.11 pick and a future third-round pick to Greater Western Sydney in exchange for small forward Smith.
The Bombers received pick No.24 and a future second-round pick under the deal but it remained to be seen whether those selections would be enough to help them prise Stringer from Whitten Oval.
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Stringer appeared to be on borrowed time at the Bulldogs when coach Luke Beveridge signalled the club's desire to trade him.
But the Dogs made clear they would not be letting the All-Australian go unless they received suitable compensation.
Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro on Thursday said he remained confident a deal could be struck for the 23-year-old.
"We have given a strong indication to Jake that we will do our best to get the deal done," Dodoro said.
"There is a fair way to go and we hope we can land him."
Stringer's manager Paul Connors conceded Essendon's deal for Smith had complicated matters.
"We're committed to Essendon and that's what we're going to do," Connors told the Herald Sun.
"It's tricky. But we're confident it will be all done."
The Crows were given Melbourne's No.10 draft pick and a selection in each of the first and fourth rounds in 2018 in exchange for the 21-year-old Lever.
In addition to Lever, the Demons received the No.35 draft pick and a future third-round selection.
The bumper deal ensured Adelaide would have four first-round selections across the next two drafts.
A fifth could potentially be extracted from Brisbane in exchange for wantaway forward Charlie Cameron, who remains under contract.
But the Crows were unlikely to make another play for Carlton midfielder Bryce Gibbs after a failed pursuit during last year's trade period.
List manager Justin Reid on Thursday said Gibbs was not on the club's radar, adding the club expected to hear in coming days from Geelong forward Steven Motlop's management.
Hawthorn signed speedster Jarman Impey on a three-year deal in exchange for pick No.33 and a fourth-round pick swap.
