Richmond and North Melbourne are reportedly after Geelong out-of-contract forward Steven Motlop.
Crocmedia journalist Mitch Cleary told Sportsday Radio on Thursday night that both the Tigers and Roos were after the 26-year-old, although current Richmond star Dustin Martin was central to both sides' chances of landing the Cat.
"(Geelong) are a long way away from a deal, my understanding is contract negotiations have barely started with the free agent at season's end, and his future centres around Dustin Martin," Cleary reported.
"Both North Melbourne and Richmond have flagged an interest in Steven Motlop, and it centres around if Richmond were to lose Dustin Martin it would free up the chance to Motlop through the door - Neil Balme and Blake Caracella are two key pillars down there at Punt Road who hold a relationship with him, as well as Josh Caddy, his former teammate.
"North Melbourne, if they were to lose the race for Martin and/or Josh Kelly, it would potentially open up a chance for Motlop to enter Arden Street."
This isn't the first time both possible suitors have been linked with Motlop, with the Tigers especially reported to have gotten close to a deal with Geelong over his services in the past two seasons.
Motlop has played 127 games for Geelong since making his debut for the club in round 2, 2010, and is one of just seven Cats to have played ever game so far in 2017.
