• Who's up for grabs? Check out the latest list of free agents
• Find out who's going where FIRST on Trade Radio
GOLD COAST has confirmed it has approached All-Australian Nick Malceski in a bid to lure the Sydney Swans defender north.
The 30-year-old put contract talks with the Swans on hold until the end of the club's season, with the intention of exploring his free agency options.
The Suns have declared their interest in the unrestricted free agent, with recruiting manager Scott Clayton revealing on NAB AFL Trade Radio on Friday he had spoken to Malceski in the past 24 hours.
"We are talking to Nick and we asked if we could catch up with him after his playing commitments finished, so we're at that stage," Clayton said.
"Yes, he would be [the club's highest priority].
"He's at a fantastic footy club and has had a great career, and he's certainly settled there. We'll just have to wait and see. It was fruitful, but we'll see how it goes."
Clayton said the Suns hadn't given the Swans defender a deadline to decide his future.
Gold Coast has also shown interest in securing the services of Magpie midfielder Dayne Beams.
They have spoken to Beams' management but are well aware the 24-year-old's preference is to be traded to Brisbane.
Clayton admitted it would also be "difficult" for the Suns to fit both Malceski and Beams under the salary cap.
"Their preference is Brisbane and they've made that pretty clear, so it's up to Brisbane and Collingwood to chat through that," he said.
"We'll obviously keep an eye on that and see how it goes, but at this stage they're the two clubs that are talking."
Gold Coast has also made enquiries about Hawthorn midfielder Mitch Hallahan, who has been unable to break into the premiers' senior side.
The Hawk is contracted for next season, with Clayton admitting it was more than likely the 22-year-old would stay at Waverley Park.
The Suns are currently without a coach following the sacking of Guy McKenna during the week.
Clayton said he was hopeful Gold Coast would be able to retain ruckman Daniel Gorringe, who has requested a trade home to South Australia with Port Adelaide his preferred club.
He said the club would sit down and discuss the coaching situation with Gorringe in the hope that a new coach would sway his decision.
"We haven't started speaking [to Port Adelaide or Adelaide] about that," Clayton said.
"He's a contracted player. Obviously out of formality we will speak to both those clubs on Monday when trade time starts. "
"Tall forwards are very hard to find that can go in the ruck. We still rate him really highly."
With the Power prepared to give up their first round pick (No. 16) in the Paddy Ryder trade with Essendon, Clayton indicated Port Adelaide's next pick at 35 would be too low for Gorringe.
