Wantaway Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has spoken on his desire to return home to South Australia via a move to Port Adelaide.
Earlier this month the 25-year-old had informed the club of his plans to find a new home this off-season as his contract reached its expiry.
The former Sturt backman's pending departure comes as Essendon plans to secure North Melbourne free agent Ben McKay over the coming weeks, potentially pushing Zerk-Thatcher out of his role in Brad Scott's rearguard.
Port Adelaide emerged as a club interested in the local defender, with Zerk-Thatcher and Geelong's Esava Ratugolea both high on the Power's list of targets.
A move to South Australia is set to excite both Zerk-Thatcher and his family, with the departing Bomber tellingย 9 News Adelaideย the move is "very exciting".
"Mum's over the moon," the Bombers stopper said when asked about his family's thoughts of the move.
"It'll be very good for me and just very exciting for all of my family. It'll be nice to get back and see them a bit more."
Zerk-Thatcher was spotted at the Airport alongside Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley as the Power and their potential recruit look to have a deal finalised this coming trade period.
The Bombers are likely to play hard-ball in negotiations for Zerk-Thatcher given the backman played all but one game in the red and black this year.
The lockdown Don said he is hopeful an agreement will be reached between the Power and Bombers, with the former said to be confident in brokering a trade to attain his signature.
"They seem pretty confident in getting it all done," Zerk-Thatcher said of his likely new club.
โMumโs over the moon.โ
South Australian Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is optimistic a trade will get done to bring him home from Essendon to the Power.#9News cameras captured the defender hopping off a plane with Port coach Ken Hinkley today.
WATCH LIVE at 6pm to hear his exclusiveโฆ pic.twitter.com/4kHdXluFIk
— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) September 26, 2023
"It's exciting. I've got the opportunity to request a trade home. Hopefully it all gets done."
Zerk-Thatcher joined Essendon through the 2017 National Draft and has played 51 games in the red sash since his debut in 2019.
Port Adelaide currently hold picks 38, 44, 71 and 89 for this year's National Draft.
The 2023 trade period is set to open on Monday, October 9 and will run until Wednesday, October 18.
