WEST Coast has mobile Geelong ruckman Nathan Vardy on its list of potential solutions to its ruck stocks shortfall in 2017.
The talented 25-year-old has played 25 games since making his debut in 2011 but wasn't unable to break into the Cats' line-up this season despite overcoming injury problems.
The Eagles have conceded their unique ruck situation, created when Nic Naitanui required a knee reconstruction and Scott Lycett had to have PCL surgery post-season, will require a creative solution and will leave no stone unturned.
Club officials are understood to have also met with former North Melbourne veteran Drew Petrie when he was in Perth on Tuesday as he explores the prospect of continuing his career in the west.
There are several ruckmen still unsigned for 2017 including the Sydney Swans' Toby Nankervis, Greater Western Sydney's Tom Downie and Collingwood's Jarrod Witts.
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Vardy is a player in demand with Greater Western Sydney also having met with the big ruckman late in the season although the extent of their interest remains unclear.
Vardy could be one of a number of players no longer with Geelong in 2017 as it looks to clear salary cap space with champion defender Corey Enright the first to make his intentions clear when he announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Emerging forward Shane Kersten has attracted interest from Fremantle and the Cats have not made any moves to re-contract him.
The Cats are also waiting on a decision from Jimmy Bartel on his future after he triggered a clause that gave him the option of playing on in 2017.
Key defender Tom Lonergan is also out of contract and has a decision to make as to whether he continues his career into 2017.
Although linked to several players during the NAB AFL Trade Period, the Cats' activity is dependent on clearing cap space, with Steven Motlop the most obvious mechanism for doing that.
Several sources told AFL.com.au that clubs prepared to take on Motlop's contract would not be likely to offer a high draft pick for the talented 25-year-old.
If the Cats can clear some space it may open opportunities for them to improve the list that finished second on the ladder in 2016.
Carlton defender Zac Tuohy is no closer to making a decision on his future, having been overseas on holiday recently.
It is understood Tuohy's preference is to remain at Carlton and the Blues have a three-year offer on the table for the 26-year-old.
But the Irishman has been courted by opposition clubs including North Melbourne and Geelong, with the Roos offering him a lucrative four-year deal to don the royal blue and white.
Ruckman Zac Clarke appears more and more likely to turn his back on free agency and play on with Fremantle despite rival interest.
Clarke and the Dockers have yet to work out the terms of a new deal, but the 26-year-old has a great opportunity over the next few years to establish himself as Freo's No.1 ruckman once club great Aaron Sandilands retires.
Clarke's manager, Jason Dover of Stride Sports, told NAB AFL Trade Radio his client would decide his football future in the next couple of days after a "very positive" exit interview with the club on Tuesday.
Dover also manages Hawthorn wingman Bradley Hill and out-of-favour North Melbourne forward Aaron Black.
Dover said Hill was focused on joining brother Stephen at Fremantle in preference to cross-town rival West Coast, having signalled his desire to move home to Western Australia last month.
Black and North have agreed to part ways in the trade period if a suitable deal can be done despite the forward being contracted for 2017, Dover said.
In other news on NAB AFL Trade Radio:
- Collingwood key defender Jack Frost intends to accept a three-year deal with the Brisbane Lions if a trade can be done.
- Out-of-contract Greater Western Sydney midfielder Jack Steele won't make a decision on his future until after the Giants' best and fairest count on Friday night. Steele has attracted significant interest from teams in and outside Victoria, with St Kilda understood to be leading the race.
- Giants midfielder Jake Barrett will explore opportunities at rival clubs during the trade period after playing just one senior game in three seasons despite outstanding NEAFL form.
