Fremantle is thought to be planning a poaching of a West Coast Next Generation Academy-aligned draft prospect.
Lance Collard, regarded as one of the premier small forward prospects at November's festivities, is in the Dockers' sights; with the 18-year-old likely to fall in the second round.
The youngster shapes as a possible ready-made replacement for the departed Lachie Schultz, who is now a Magpie after an unexpected trade request came to fruition.
While Collard is NGA-linked to the Eagles, if he drops past Pick 40 West Coast cannot match a rival bid for the promising talent.
Dockers icon Paul Hasleby noted his suspicion that his former club could be scheming a play for the West Australian livewire.
"Lance Collard. Watch for this to play out," Hasleby declared via SEN.
"He's [an] NGA player to West Coast, but if he's selected before Pick 40 then somebody else can nab him."
The Eagles, in addition to the first overall selection, hold picks 23 and 37 in the second round, with Collard's probable draft range sitting in between those two choices.
Fremantle, on the other hand, possesses Pick 34; a slot where it could potentially swoop on Collard from right under West Coast's nose.
Hasleby believes the Eagles would strongly consider packaging selections to trade up from No. 37 in order to get in ahead of Fremantle.
"Fremantle's first pick is 34 and there's a train of thought that West Coast would like to get him," Hasleby continued.
"They would maybe reshuffle some of their picks to have a pick just before the Fremantle Dockers.
"He's a talented small forward who could fill the void left by Lachie Schultz."
While playing for a struggling WA outfit in the National Championships this year -- booting just two majors during the carnival -- Collard returned to his domestic club, Subiaco, kicking ten goals across two head-turning finals appearances for the Lions.
Collard's thrilling skill set has been compared with the likes of Collingwood Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill and Richmond excitement machine Shai Bolton.
The first round of the 2023 National Draft is pencilled in for November 20, with the second night scheduled for November 21.