The players might be on leave, but the ‘offseason’ is still a busy time at West Lakes.

Here’s a timeline of important dates to mark on your footy calendars, including the trade period, drafts and when the team returns to training.

Monday, October 8 - Commencement of AFL Trade Period, Father-Son Eligible Players and Academy Players Bid Meeting.

Friday, October 26, 2pm - End of AFL Trade Period and trade Incentive (17 year-olds) Selection.

Wednesday, October 31 - List Lodgement One.

Thursday, November 1 - Commencement of Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period.

November 13, 2pm - End to Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period and Out of Contract Listed Player Draft Nomination Deadline, New Player Draft Nomination Deadline. Deadline for Nomination of any use of 2012 GWS Giants Compensation Selections.

Thursday, November 15 - List Lodgement Two.

Friday, November 16, 2pm - Delisted Player Draft Nomination Deadline, Non-Retained Rookies Draft Nomination Deadline, Nominated of Queensland Zone Priority Selections and Nomination of NSW/ACT Zone Priority Selections.

Monday, November 19 - Players scheduled to return to West Lakes for the official start of the 2013 pre-season.

Thursday, November 22 - NAB AFL Draft, Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Friday, November 23 - Second Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period commences.

Wednesday, November 28, 5pm - Second Gillette AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period ends. Out of Contract Listed Players Nomination Deadline, International Players Nomination Deadline, Players Not Registered / Played Three Years Deadline, NSW Scholarship and International Scholarship Players Deadline.

Thursday, November 29, 2pm - List Lodgement Three.

Tuesday, December 4, 2pm - Delisted Player Nomination Deadline.

Tuesday, December 11, 11am - NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts.