FORMER Fremantle tough nut Josh Deluca is on the radar of a handful of clubs ahead of the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.
AFL.com.au understands Sydney and Port Adelaide are among five clubs who have met the 23-year-old from Subiaco recently.
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Both the Swans and Power currently have one list spot available ahead of the May 27 draft.
Deluca's stocks have risen after a perfectly timed best afield effort for WA under recruiters' noses in last Sunday's state game loss to South Australia at Optus Stadium.
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He racked up 29 disposals, laid seven tackles and kicked a goal to claim the Simpson Medal in the high-intensity and entertaining contest, as SA fought back after the hosts' fast start to win by seven points.
Former Collingwood big man Corey Gault (20 disposals, 20 hitouts) also impressed leading the ruck, while Perth star Michael Bennell, 25, showed glimpses of his X-factor in a three-goal first half.
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Bennell has lit up the WAFL this season with 14 majors in five games – including a spectacular four-goal performance against West Coast's reserves in round one – after bursting onto the scene with 26.18 in 11 matches last year.
Bennell is an outside chance to be picked up, while Deluca is rated among WA's leading prospects and hoping for an AFL lifeline after struggling for opportunities at Fremantle.
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He played four games in as many seasons on the Dockers' list, after originally being drafted via pick 68 in 2014.
The 179cm prospect returned to Subiaco after being delisted two years ago and played in his fourth WAFL premiership last season.
Deluca had 29 touches and laid eight tackles in the Grand Final, and his ability to perform on the big stage at the lower level hasn't gone unnoticed.
He has drawn comparisons to the Giants' hard-working small Zac Langdon and would offer some grunt at the top level – something John Longmire's Swans have lacked.
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Eight WA-based players invited to medical screening next Wednesday, including another ex-Docker and current West Coast WAFL player, Brady Grey, who has attracted interest from Carlton.
Richmond and Essendon have been linked to Marlion Pickett, the 27-year-old South Fremantle gun who moved from half-back and filled Tim Kelly's shoes after he was drafted by Geelong.
Pickett, who is on the cusp of playing his first game this season after overcoming a finger injury, was on the draft radar last year when he was flown to the Gold Coast to meet the Suns.
The 2019 NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be broadcast LIVE on AFL.com.au, the AFL Live Official App and Fox Footy from 6.30pm AEST on Monday, May 27
