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Geelong tall Nathan Kreuger's move to Collingwood has kicked off the 2021 AFL trade period after a quiet opening day.

Geelong tall Nathan Kreuger has become the first AFL player to move clubs during this year's trade period after switching to Collingwood.

After a quiet opening day on Monday in which just the Magpies and Gold Coast swapped draft picks, the trade period has finally begun in earnest.

Kreuger, 22, was given his wish for a fresh start after just two games in three years with the Cats and was traded, along with pick 55, to Collingwood for pick 41.

The Magpies view Kreuger as a target up forward, rather than in defence where he played with Geelong.

Several players, including Jake Kelly (Adelaide to Essendon) and George Hewett (Sydney Swans to Carlton), already swapped clubs once the free agency period began last Friday.

Meanwhile, the Swans are unwilling to let versatile defender Jordan Dawson move to Adelaide without a fight.

Dawson is determined to return home to South Australia and play with the Crows, the club he supported growing up.

But after Dawson produced a career-best season in 2021, finishing third in the club's best and fairest, the Swans want significant compensation for the 24-year-old after they offered him a five-year contract to stay.

Swans football manager Charlie Gardiner admitted it was "possible" Dawson could slip through to the pre-season draft if a deal could not be reached.

"But our priority is to reach a fair and reasonable outcome for a very high quality player," Gardiner told Trade Radio.

Gardiner also confirmed the Swans were looking at Port Adelaide ruckman Peter Ladhams, after enquiring about him last year.

Meanwhile, Richmond remain disappointed with losing young key position players Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol.

Free agent Chol has already signed with Gold Coast on a four-year deal, while Coleman-Jones is expected to end up at North Melbourne in search of more opportunities.

"Losing those guys does hurt. We wanted to keep those guys, they're both quality players," Tigers assistant coach Adam Kingsley told SEN.

"CJ's a 22-year-old key position player, can play forward, can play ruck.

"Those guys are few and far between, to be frank, and the fact that we're losing him is disappointing.

"As I understand it, he wants a little bit more opportunity to play in the ruck and North Melbourne have been able to offer that to him."