Essendon chief executive Ian Robson predicts there could be up to a dozen deals completed during the final week of the trade period beginning Monday.

This year’s extended three week trade period comes toa close at 2pm on Friday afternoon.

Robson expects a number of trades to be completed during the final week.

“We are going to end up Monday where we were two yearsago with a trade week,” Robson said.

“All the club’s will have clarity on their picks andthere will be a whole host of other conversations.”

“There might be another ten to a dozen deals done next week.”

Robson believes the extended exchange period alongwith introduction of free agency has increased the freedom for players to finda new home.

“The avenues of movement are far greater then theyhave ever been so I think that works for both clubs and players,” he said onSEN Radio.

“In the contextof a long year we have become very clever as an industry to wrap an elevenmonth football year around a six month football season.”

“Whether or not when we reflect on the period wehave had and we think it is too long I don’t know.”

One player whowill be staying at the Bombers is big man Scott Gumbleton after agreeing to anew one year contract with the club late on Friday afternoon.