Richmond's Liam Baker is tipped to leave Punt Road at season's end despite coach Adem Yze's willingness to "give the world" to make him stay.
Baker - who is from Western Australia - has been one of the few shining lights in the past 18 months, finishing sixth in last year's Jack Dyer Medal and continuing his impressive form into 2024.
However, to date, the Tigers have only recorded a solitary win against Sydney in its seven outings, with plenty more hardship to come following a period of dominance from 2017 to 2020.
And the lure home might be too substantial, especially since growing up a mad West Coast fan, with journalist Jon Ralph reporting the 26-year-old is "very likely" to depart the Tigers.
“I think Richmond fans should get their head around life without Liam Baker; I think it's very likely now that he will move on,” Ralph said on Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle.
“I think West Coast would be the likely favourite right now.”
However, a bidding war for Baker's services could stem from Fremantle's strong draft position, which boasts three first-round draft picks.
“They've (Fremantle) lodged an offer, I don't think West Coast has actually lodged an offer yet,” Ralph declared.
“He's a kid who grew up loving West Coast, he grew up loving Ben Cousins, he loved Chris Judd - Daniel Kerr was his favourite.”
And not to mention, has bought a $2.2 million home on the waterfront in Perth that he will eventually move into according to Ralph.
If the Eagles or Dockers were to broker a deal, what would Liam Baker be worth?
Richmond's vice-captain's stocks have risen in the past two years, becoming a Mr Fix-it under Damien Hardwick and, more recently, Yze.
Baker can be deployed anywhere on the ground and still have plenty of impact.
He'd slot in seamlessly to the West Australian sides, who both have had positive returns in the past few weeks.
Both Fremantle and West Coast would likely have to cough up a late first-round pick for Baker who is still a required player at the Tigers.
Richmond could promote Baker to captain, taking the reins from Toby Nankervis as part of a new deal that could see him remain in Melbourne.
The Pingaring product has put contract talks on hold at present to gauge the direction of the Tigers, which is what he did two years ago.
And, like then, that deal was completed late in the season, which is where this deal is heading.