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PORT Adelaide has room in its big-man department to accommodate ruckmen Patrick Ryder and Daniel Gorringe, list manager Jason Cripps says.
The Power have already begun discussions with both Essendon and Gold Coast ahead of the start of the NAB AFL Trade Period after both Ryder and Gorringe nominated Port Adelaide as their preferred club.
Cripps told NAB AFL Trade Radio that the club needed to bolster its key-position stocks.
"It's certainly an area we need to improve on our list," Cripps said.
"Certainly the ruck, key-forward/second-ruck type of player is important for us.
"Matty Lobbe did an enormous job for us during the year and he probably rucked 85-90 per cent most weeks and was outstanding for us.
"So we'd like to give him some support and bring someone else in that will make 'Lobbes' an ever better player and obviously give us another target in the forward line along with (Jay) Schulz and (Justin) Westhoff."
With Ryder seemingly a perfect fit, Gorringe's desire to head to Alberton raised eyebrows among some observers.
But with Schulz (aged 29), Westhoff (28), Ryder (26) and Lobbe (25) all experienced players, Cripps said Port needed to look towards the future and 22-year-old Gorringe fitted the mould.
"If you look at the profile of our key-position tall players, we think we need to bring someone in that is younger and someone that can develop," Cripps said.
"He's a South Australian, he wants to come home and largely his decision is based around wanting to get back home to be close to family."
Cripps said that Port Adelaide's first pick, currently No.16 in the NAB AFL Draft, was being discussed as a part of the Ryder trade but there was plenty of work still to be done.
"We'll continue to work and hopefully have some good discussions with Essendon once the trade period starts next week to hopefully come up with a deal that is suitable to both parties," Cripps said.
"Certainly our first pick is on the table."
Cripps also said the Power had no interest in St Kilda forward Terry Milera, who has requested a trade back to his home state in South Australia.
