GWS coach Adam Kingsley is said to be interested in attaining Richmond defender Hugo Ralpsmith as part of a trade for Jacob Hopper, however, the Tigers have knocked back their advances as premiership ruckman Ivan Soldo completed a medical at Homebush.
Negotiations between the Giants and Tigers are still ongoing days after the two clubs were able to agree to a trade for Tim Taranto to venture to Punt Road.
The Tigers gave up Picks 12 and 19 to secure the wantaway Giant, leaving the Tigers with a weakened draft hand in their planning to also secure Hopper.
Along with Pick 31 and their future first-round selection, the Tigers are required to offer more to secure the Leeton product, with Tigers players thrown into discussions around a deal.
According toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary, Ralphsmith's name has been raised in discussions, with Kingsley a big fan of the dashing defender.
Kingsley was recruited to the Giants from Richmond, having played a pivotal part in the club's recent successes and would have worked closely with Ralphsmith.
The 20-year-old re-signed with the Tigers last year, with his services tied to the Tigers until the end of 2023.
Ralphsmith has played 19 games in the yellow and black, 13 of which coming this year.
Soldo had been strongly linked to negotiations pertaining to the Hopper deal, however, these persistent reports gained weight on Wednesday when Tiger tall toured the Giants' facilities.
According to reports from AFL Media, the mustachioed ruck has met with Giants officials and completed a medical at the expansion franchises' Homebush base.
While Soldo still has a further two seasons to run on his deal at Tigerland, the 26-year-old's own past relationship with Kingsley could well act as the key to unlocking the trade for Hopper, once and for all.
