Sydney star midfielder Chad Warner is already the game's hottest property, and when he comes out of contract at the end of 2025, clubs will be scrambling for draft picks and collateral to lure him.
However, if 'The Chad' were to depart the Swans, a club that he's lost two grand finals in the past three seasons, it is understood that only Fremantle and West Coast pose as potential landing spots, given he's from the western state.
Following the completion of the 2024 AFL Trade and Free Agency Period, the Eagles and Dockers are keeping a close eye on next year.
As it stands, West Coast currently holds two first-round selections in 2025, securing one from Hawthorn as part of the Tom Barrass trade.
Fremantle only holds one but stocked up in third-round as Richmond matchwinner Shai Bolton joined the club.
Dockers list boss David Walls remained coy as to the Warner prospect in 2025, saying his team is building across all lines of the field.
"Where our club's at, where the list is at, where the side is going, we'd be attractive to any player," Walls said.
"We've given ourselves plenty of flexibility, too (with future draft picks) ... to look at a number of different players."
Fremantle will present a star-studded midfield to Warner, who'd join the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young in addition to Bolton and ruck duo Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy.
Arguably, the Dockers are closer to a premiership, which could be a deciding factor if he opts to leave.
For West Coast, the address is simple: Matera, Cousins, Judd, Kerr, Priddis, Warner?
The Eagles would simply give the keys to the car, insisting that he and Harley Reid would become the dominant duo of the competition.
However, both West Australian clubs will benefit from the league's introduction of extending future picks into another year.
The AFL is set to introduce two years' worth of future picks for the 2025 trade and free agency period, ultimately assisting clubs in their pursuits of stars.
But we cannot discount the Swans, who, this century, have proven time and time again to be a destination club. A place to never leave.
Throughout 2024, the New South Wales club retained a litter of stars to long contracts: Errol Gulden (2028), Ollie Florent (2029), Will Hayward (2029), Logan McDonald (2028), James Rowbottom (2028).
That's on top of Isaac Heeney (2028), Tom Papley (2028) and Nick Blakey (2031) committed to the club long-term.
Needless to say, aside from Heeney, Blakey and Gulden (who came from the Swans academy), the remaining guns are all from neighbouring states and fielded heavy interest from rivals before devoting unwavering loyalty.
Could Warner be the same?
The 23-year-old was drafted with Pick 39 in the 2019 National Draft after slipping through the cracks in a relatively lean crop.
Warner has been close to the ultimate glory, and although there are no guarantees, it's safe to say that Sydney's perpetual success - 20 finals series this century - is a reason to stay.
This is compared to Fremantle's once (2022) in nine campaigns and West Coast's four straight absences that will likely extend over the next few seasons.
Nevertheless, the Swans star is expected to see large amounts of cash wherever he lands.
The question remains: should one prioritise going home or pursuing success?
And that will determine Warner's decision.
