West Coast have commented on the recent speculation surrounding contracted defender Tom Barrass, who has been tied to a potential move to Victoria despite being signed with the Eagles until the end of 2027.
Barrass has gained reported interest from Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, with the latter's potential play for the premiership backman having cooled more recently as the Hawks ramp up their trade and free agency strategy.
That includes Hawks coach Sam Mitchell flying to Western Australia after Round 20 to meet with Barrass, who also met with Mitchell's assistant Adrian Hickmott recently, with the ex-Eagles assistant catching up with Barrass while he was back in WA for personal reasons.
When asked about his thoughts on a rival coach flying interstate to meet with a contracted player, Eagles caretaker coach Jarrad Schofield said it was "each to their own".
"I'm not involved and I don't have a say (on list management decisions) at the moment, that's the simple answer," Schofield said.
"[The speculation] is part of the industry. It's that time of the year, you hear about players and you hear about coaches. It's just that time of the season.
"You don't react to [reports of players meeting with rival clubs], it's just reality. When it's made known to the public you're a bit more exposed in that space, but it just happens and it's part of the industry."
The Eagles hold all the power in regards to a potential Barrass trade given the local backman's contract status, however the Perth club could consider parting ways with their star man given the likely return they could receive in draft picks.
The Hawks currently have Pick 10 for this year's count, while the Dogs don't currently hold a first-round pick for the 2024 Draft but are likely to gain one via the expected departure of midfielder Bailey Smith during the trade period.
It might take a pair of first-round selections tp satisfy the Eagles, with clubs able to move on their 2025 selections once the trade period opens, while the AFL could permit clubs the ability to trade 2026 selections from this off-season.
Barrass himself recently rebuffed trade speculation that he could be open to a move elsewhere, pouring cold water on the idea for the second time in as many years after he was tied to Sydney in 2023.
"I'm aย West Coast Eagles player, and unless the rug gets pulled out from under my feet I'll stay that way," Barrass said in June.
"It happens every year, and it's hardly a story -ย AFLย clubs chasing established key position player - it's just the currency of football, so I wouldn't be reading into it too much".
Barrass played his 150th game for West Coast over the weekend in the club's loss to rivals Fremantle, with the 28-year-old to miss this week's contest with Gold Coast due to concussion.
