RIVAL clubs are monitoring contracted West Coast youngster Jarrod Brander as a player of interest this Trade Period as the Eagles gear up for another premiership assault in 2021.
Brander, 21, was unable to nail a spot in the Eagles' best line-up this season and was overlooked in the surprise elimination final loss to Collingwood on Saturday night.
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While the Eagles see the 195cm swingman as a required player, suitors are beginning to ask the question over whether Brander would be better served with greater opportunity elsewhere.
It comes as the Eagles lock in another piece in their future plans with emerging tall Jake Waterman committing to a new three-year deal until the end of 2023.
Champion forward Josh Kennedy and premiership captain Shannon Hurn re-signed for 2021 on Thursday, while gun wingman Andrew Gaff has formally triggered an extension until 2024.
Brander played eight of his 11 career games this season, but a persistent hip injury and lack of form cost him games in the middle part of the year.
He played three games in his first two seasons at the Eagles across key posts in attack and defence.
It appears the wing role will be his best chance of securing a position next season with Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass settled in defence and Kennedy partnering Waterman, Jack Darling and Oscar Allen in the forward 50.
Geelong explored the possibility of landing Brander last year as part of Tim Kelly's move to West Coast but at the time still had two years left to run on his contract in the west.
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Brander was seen as a top-five pick early in his draft year of 2017 before the Eagles nabbed the former GWS Academy prospect at No.13.
The Giants had hoped to have access to Brander as part of their zoning eligibility, however those rights were revoked after an assessment of his living arrangements in Mildura.
After trading their 2020 first-round pick last year for Kelly, any move for Brander could see the Eagles rewarded with an earlier pick than their first selection which currently stands at No.30.
