Essendon caretaker coach Mark Thompson is keeping his cards close to his chest on his plans for 2015 while players’ agents start are pitching their clients’ interests – welcome to the AFL silly season.

Adelaide is searching for a coach, Essendon has one but isn’t sure to keep him, Gold Coast are reviewing theirs and a raft of players want out from their respective clubs.

Essendon’s Paddy Ryder appears clear on where he want to be – Port Adelaide. His 2014 coach, Mark Thompson, says he’s “reflecting” on 2015.

Thompson, who filled in for suspended James Hird this season, remains off contract.

The Bombers were expected to retain Thompson in a senior post, with captain Jobe Watson last month saying it was the “obligation of the club … to find the right role for him”.

Thompson suggested a fortnight ago he was in discussions with Essendon hierarchy, adding that he wanted “to do something” at the Bombers in 2015.

The dual premiership coach was more indecisive on Monday when the topic came up during his regular slot on Fox Footy.

“It’s an option, a real option. But I’m also thinking about not,” Thompson said when asked if he still intended to stay at Essendon.

“Not doing anything (at Essendon).

“It’s just reflection time – that’s an option.”

Thompson’s words will fuel speculation he is headed to Gold Coast, where the future of Suns coach Guy McKenna is uncertain.

But Thompson made it clear on Monday night he had not been approached by any other club than Essendon.

“No. I have not. Definitely not,” Thompson said.

“I’ve heard lots of rumours though, like everyone.

“But I have not spoken to anyone.

“I actually didn’t answer the phone today at all.”

Essendon’s best and fairest awards night is on Wednesday, when the club is expected to provide more clarity on the future of Hird and Thompson.

The Bombers are considering an appeal against the recent Federal Court finding in favour of the the joint AFL-ASADA investigation.

Essendon have until October 10 to decide whether they will appeal.

Players on the move

As the draft season starts to take shape Brisbane admit Dayne Beams might have to wait a year before leaving Collingwood, despite his manager’s confidence that the AFL clubs can strike a deal.

While the Magpies are sympathetic to Beams’ wish for a trade, he is under contract until the end of next season and the two clubs are at loggerheads over what a deal will involve.

Brisbane are prepared to offer their top pick at No.4 in the national draft for the star midfielder.

But Magpies coach Nathan Buckley was adamant on the weekend that they also want a ready-made player from the Lions.

Beams is a Queensland native and is keen to join his brother Claye at the Lions.

He also wants to be closer to his father, who is in Byron Bay and is in remission from cancer.

“We think pick four is very fair, but we do understand that Dayne is contracted,” Lions football manager Dean Warren told AFL Trade Radio.

“If we have to wait, we might have to wait until he’s out of contract the following year.”

But Beams’ manager Paul Connors was confident on Monday that the two clubs will reach an agreement.

“I am sure they will get a deal done at some stage,” Connors said.

Connors added that Brisbane, not Gold Coast, would be the better deal option for Collingwood.

Earlier on Monday, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said they understood why their 2012 best and fairest winner wanted to leave.

But McGuire made it clear it is now up to the Lions to make the deal happen.

“We’ve been well aware of Beamsy’s situation, we love the bloke, we want him to have a great life,” McGuire said on TripleM.

“We’re happy to facilitate if that’s what’s required because of the humanitarian situation.

“But if it’s coming down to people wanting to go because they’re getting paid more money then, no, there’s a contract in place.

“If people want to do the right thing and do a deal, there will probably be a deal done.”

Connors also confirmed that Essendon ruckman Patrick Ryder’s preferred new club is Port Adelaide.

Ryder wants to leave the Bombers as the fallout continues from their supplements scandal.

Connors insists money is not an issue.

“This is a purely welfare-driven decision,” Connors said.

“You can’t tell someone how to feel.”

But Ryder’s future is also not clear-cut because he is contracted to Essendon for another two seasons.

Meanwhile, Connors said Fremantle veteran Luke McPharlin is likely to keep playing.

The key defender crucially missed the finals because of a calf injury.

Carlton have ruled out trying to poach Tom Mitchell from Sydney, but are interested in Greater Western Sydney youngster Kristian Jaksch.