Richmond's Daniel Rioli is reportedly set to seek a trade to the Gold Coast in the upcoming trade period, reuniting with former coach Damien Hardwick.
Rioli has been linked with the Suns for some time now but is still contracted at the Tigers for the next three years.
Hardwick and his club possess Picks 6, 11 (link to Bulldogs) and 20 (link to Kangaroos), which two have been flagged to potentially get a deal done.
Richmond star Daniel Rioli has three years to run on his contract, but there's no guarantee the defender will be at Tigerland next season. #9News @tommorris32 pic.twitter.com/2D82vJbaoO
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) July 31, 2024
Channel 9's Tom Morris believes the Suns are well in the hunt for Rioli's services and that his calibre of player would help improve their list.
"Gold Coast would love to bring in Daniel Rioli on a long-term deal," Morris said.
"Rioli would also like to get to the Gold Coast Suns. His preference at this stage is to play for the Suns in 2025, where he would reunite with Damien Hardwick.
"The two have remained close and lived together for a couple of years.
"He's precisely the sort of player Hardwick wants to bring in.
"However, the stumbling block for Rioli and the Suns is Richmond, who have him signed for another three years and could shut the trade down immediately."
The Rioli news comes as it is understood that teammate Shai Bolton would also like to pursue a move to his home state, Western Australia, and potentially join Fremantle.
Like the Suns, the Dockers hold three first-round selections (7,12,16) which will tempt the Tigers if they were to entertain a trade.
Bolton is also contracted at Punt Road for another four years, meaning like Rioli, the club can shut down any potential move.
Rioli grew up among the Tiwi Islands of the Northern Territory and played for St Mary's in the NTFL before moving to Victoria when he was 14.
Gold Coast has a strong partnership with the Northern Territory, playing multiple games in Darwin each year, which will continue until at least the end of 2026.