North Melbourne head the list of rival AFL clubs trying to tempt West Coast into trading away the No.1 draft pick – and first rights to teen sensation Harley Reid.
The Kangaroos, Melbourne and Hawthorn are all eager to do a deal that would give them access to the 18-year-old, who has been dubbed a “generational talent” by recruiters and likened to Richmond superstar Dustin Martin.
But while the Eagles are open to trading the prized selection, they would seek a hefty fee in return to assist their rebuild.
No club was able to satisfy West Coast’s demands during the trade period but draft picks can still be swapped ahead of the lottery on November 20.
North are loaded with five first-round selections – 2, 3, 15, 17 and 18 – and are best-placed to have a crack.
“We’re of interest obviously because we’ve got a hand that could potentially turn their head,” Kangaroos list boss Brady Rawlings said.
“We’ve just got to weigh up what price we’d be willing to put on that.
“We’ve got five picks inside 18. If we sit and take those, we’re going to get some good players.
“No bones about it, we’d like pick one. I think everyone would.
“It’s just a matter of what we have to give up to be able to get it and that will lay with the Eagles.”
West Coast knocked back North’s offer of late first-round draft picks during the trade period and also batted away offers from Hawthorn.
“I think something pretty pointy would need to be in it to be able to get it done,” Rawlings said.
Melbourne have picks six and 11 in the first round but list boss Tim Lamb knows he would need to get creative to tempt the Eagles into a swap.
“West Coast obviously are in the box seat there,” Lamb said.
“They’ve got the golden ticket this year, so we’ll assess our options and see what happens there.
“If we can get a little bit higher in the draft, that’d be nice.
“But we’re really thrilled to have picks six and 11 because we think we can get two really good players there.”
Hawthorn hold pick four, as well as four selections from 39 onwards.
“We’ll keep having a crack, of course … if the No.1 pick’s there we’ll continue to explore it,” Hawks’ list boss Mark McKenzie said.
“It’s probably unlikely when you think what we were potentially talking about last week, but you never say never.”
It would be a major shock if Reid is not taken as the No.1 pick, regardless of which club ends up with the selection.
Hailing from Tongala in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley region, Reid has spoken openly about his preparedness to move anywhere in the country to start his AFL career.
