Geelong have been "strongly linked" to wantaway Sun Jack Bowes, with Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield seemingly playing a part in his club's interest for the midfielder-defender hybrid.
Bowes is understood to be assessing his options for 2023, with the promising ball-user seen as a gettable option for rival clubs as Gold Coast look to shed a considerable amount of their salary cap this off-season.
Geelong, Essendon, St Kilda and Hawthorn have been tied to the Cairns product, who is believed to be priced north of $1 million for the final two years of his contract.
The Cats are seen as a strong chance to land the 24-year-old, with 7 News' Mitch Cleary flagging a "watch this space" amid the Kardinia Park side's interest in Bowes, with Dangerfield named as a "big fan" of the Suns flanker.
"Gold Coast is looking to clean up its salary cap this off-season," Cleary said.
"Jack Bowes, the young midfielder, strongly linked to Geelong given links to Patrick Dangerfield, who was a big fan of the young midfielder.
"A watch this space on Jack Bowes potentially joining Geelong in this off-season."
Gold Coast's desperate desires to shed Bowes' hefty pay packet have seen the club go as far as to package the dashing defender with their opening draft selection for this year's count, currently standing at Pick 7.
The twin assets is sure to further pique interest from any keen suitor, with Geelong hoping to break into the draft and add more youth to their ageing list.
“There are a few clubs in the market that are interested in the package we put to them. For us the outcome is space for us to be active,” Suns list boss Craig Cameron told News Corp.
“And we know Jack wants to play midfield and we have spoken to him about that and said we think it’s going to be difficult in our team.
“If the (loss of top-10 picks is) only way you are going to measure the transaction you are going to look at it and scratch your head but it’s part of an overall strategy."
Bowes is among several Suns tied to the exit this off-season, with gun forward Izak Rankine headlining the list of potential departures.
He'll join Adelaide in the coming weeks, while Brayden Fiorini (Collingwood), Jeremy Sharp (Fremantle) and Josh Corbett (Fremantle) are also expected to find new clubs.