Geelong have reportedly turned their attention to young Port Adelaide forward Ollie Lord amid talks with the Power for Esava Ratugolea, with the Cats knocking back the South Australian club's offer of their earliest pick for the wantaway defender.
The Kardinia Park club have placed a high price on Ratugolea, who has informed Geelong of his desire to move to Port Adelaide this off-season. The 25-year-old lodged a similar request last year, however was under contract.
The forward-turned-defender impressed this season with his move down back, having played 16 games under Chris Scott this year - four times the number of appearances he made at AFL level in 2022.
The Power are working with a number of other clubs to sort deals for further trade targets, with Essendon's Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Bulldog Jordon Sweet and Richmond's Ivan Soldo also in their sights.
Port Adelaide currently hold Picks 24, 40, 48 and 75 for this year's draft, with their earliest selection said to be put to the Cats for a swap deal with Ratugolea.
According to AFL.com.au, Geelong has knocked back the Power's offer of the second-round selection, leaving Port Adelaide in a tricky position.
In their talks with the Bombers over a move for Zerk-Thatcher, Port Adelaide wingman Xavier Duursma could now be included in a deal that would see both players swap clubs.
The Cats are said to be interested in a similar deal, with Lord emerging as an asset of interest to Geelong, per 9 News Adelaide.
Lord has ties to Geelong, with his father Darren previously listed with the Cats and his grandfather Alistair a premiership player and Brownlow Medal winner in the hoops.
The 21-year-old studied at Geelong Grammar before being drafted to the Power as the 49th overall pick in the 2020 National Draft. The Cats held a selection two places earlier, instead recruiting now-delisted midfielder Nick Stevens.
A deal that sees Lord head to the Cats and Ratugolea move the other way could be in the works, however the former is contracted for 2024 after re-signing at Alberton in May this year.
Geelong hold just the one draft selection for next month's count - their first-round bid of Pick 8.