Rivals clubs are reportedly monitoring contracted West Coast defender Tom Barrass amid the Eagles' plans to rebuild for the future.
Barrass, 27, signed a five-year extension with the Eagles in 2021 to set his career on a path that would see his tenure extended past a decade with the Perth powerhouse after first joining West Coast as the 43rd pick in the 2013 National Draft.
The 2022 best and fairest winner has been among the plethora of senior Eagles that have suffered setbacks this year, with the club's extensive injury toll and crop of ageing stars leaving them at the foot of the ladder with one win from 13 games.
West Coast coach Adam Simpson flagged the club's plans to attack the draft in the coming years as the Eagles look to "transition the list pretty quickly", hoping to inject youth into their battling squad and eventually return to premiership contention.
"We've gone to the draft last couple of years, and we'll continue to do that," Simpson said after last Saturday's 122-point loss to Adelaide.
"The free agent agency piece is probably not for us right now. We need to get some young talent into the side, albeit we're open to what's out there as well.
"We're going to transition the list pretty quickly. It's going to be one of the youngest lists in a year or so in the comp. And then we want to get some picks at the top end as well if we can."
That plan could see rival clubs begin to hunt West Coast's top talent in exchange for early draft selections, with Barrass' name now linked to external suitors.
Speaking on theย Tradies Podcast,ย reporter Mitch Cleary revealed clubs are beginning to look toward Barrass' services.
"I want to start with an Eagle that is contracted and has multiple years left on his contract and his name is Tom Barrass," Cleary said.
"A key back who, at 28 (years old) in October, would be the cornerstone that the Eagles would like to build their next three or four years around... for me, Barrass, give his key position, they don't grow on trees, he's right up there (at the Eagles).
"Other clubs are identifying that there's not much value left in (Andrew) Gaff. there's not much value left in (Jack) Darling, none left in Nic Natanui. Barrass is one that could appeal, to pull him out (of West Coast) and still could have a massive impact for a rival club."
Sydney were reportedly interested in Barrass months prior to his decision to commit to the Eagles for a further five years in 2021, with the Swans wanting to bolster their key defensive stocks at the time.
Again in need of reinforcements to their rearguard, the Swans could come for Barrass again this year, however may be reluctant to part ways with their opening draft selection - currently sitting at Pick 7.
"Right now, multiple clubs have told me that there are rivals trying to prize this guy out of the Eagles knowing that he has value," Cleary added.
"Now Sydney clearly needed a key back. I think they've asked the question again. But with their own situation, I think a free agent would appeal to them more given the fact that don't have to give up a pick.
"If Barrass was to be prized out of the Eagles, given he's got four years left on his contract, I think it'd have to be at least a top 10-12 (to land a deal)."
Barrass has played 128 games in the royal blue and gold since making his debut in 2015, playing a part in the club's 2018 premiership side and being the sole Eagle to earn a spot in last year's 44-man All-Australian squad.
