The former Suns co-captain has joined Richmond on a monster seven-year deal.

Lynch was a restricted free agent, meaning once Richmond lodged their bid last Friday the Suns had three days to match it.

Gold Coast will now receive pick No.3 in the draft as compensation.

Trade period commenced on Monday morning, with West Coast star Andrew Gaff’s decision to spurn North Melbourne’s big-dollar free agency offer to have a ripple effect.

Clubs convened at Marvel Stadium for the start of trade talks, with the first round of meetings to last a couple of hours.

After Saints list manager James Gallagher said on Friday that they would not use their first-round No.4 draft pick to help secure GWS star Dylan Shiel, football manager Simon Lethlean said on Monday that everything would be in play.

“All assets are on the table to get a deal done,” Lethlean said.

Shiel is expected to make his decision in the next day or two, with the Saints among four Victorian clubs vying for his services.

“We haven’t been told no so until we are it’s a yes,” Lethlean said.

Brisbane confirmed the first trade, signing fringe Geelong player Lincoln McCarthy.

The deal also involves a Cats third-round draft pick, currently No.54, and a round-four selection (currently 57) in exchange for the Lions’ round-three pick, currently at 42, and a round-four selection at 60.

Gaff ended months of indecision on Sunday when the Eagles confirmed he had committed to remaining with the 2018 premiers.

While thrilled with that scenario, Gaff staying will affect West Coast’s ability to land Geelong’s Tim Kelly or GWS ruckman Rory Lobb, who want to return to WA.

On the other side of the equation, the jilted Roos are left once again with a stacked war chest and nowhere to spend it.

North have also been unsuccessful in their attempts to lure Dustin Martin, Isaac Heeney, Adam Treloar, Josh Kelly and Jordan De Goey, but they have already agreed to trade for Port Adelaide speedster Jared Polec and Gold Coast’s Aaron Hall.

The Cats, who have already signed Western Bulldogs free agent Luke Dahlhaus, have been firm in their desire to hang onto the contracted Kelly.

But a trade with the Eagles would give them at least some of the ammunition they need to have a good crack at St Kilda’s Jack Steven.

The Dockers, who have signed Richmond free agent Reece Conca, loom as key players in the trade period.

They are determined to hang onto Lachie Neale, despite his desire to play for Brisbane, and are keen to lure Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan.

– AAP