West Coast reportedly have Richmond free agent Nathan Broad on their radar, while fellow Tigers defender Noah Balta is said to be nearing a call on his own future at Punt Road.

Both premiership players for the Tigers, Broad and Balta are key pillars in Damien Hardwick's defence as Richmond look to have their say on the flag race in 2023.

The duo are among a host of players at the Tigers that are off-contract this year, with rival interest in Broad said to be on the rise as he weighs up a decision ahead of free agency.

Broad is eligible to exercise his rights as a free agent and most recently added an extra year to his contract in August last year to recommit to Richmond for the 2023 season. That extension followed his two-year deal from 2020, where he rejected reported interest from the Gold Coast Suns to remain at Tigerland.

Further interest in his services is now reportedly coming from the west, with the Eagles seeing Broad as a viable asset for their future planning.

According to AFL reporter Damian Barrett, the Eagles are expected to express some level of interest in the 29-year-old this year amid a plan to lure the three-time premiership defender back to his home state of Western Australia.

The Eagles are on the verge of re-signing veteran defender Jeremy McGovern to a new deal, while best and fairest winner Tom Barrass is locked in for the long haul after inking a five-year deal in 2021.

Broad would be seen as a reliable third option in defence, a role he has held formidably under Hardwick through Richmond's premiership-winning since 2017.

If unable to secure Broad's services, the Eagles may look to the draft to build their squad, with Claremont defender Daniel Curtin among the top prospects for this year's count.

Likely to hold another early selection for this year's National Draft, the Eagles would see the local backman in Curtin as a long-term replacement for McGovern, who turns 31 later this month.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Daniel Curtin of the Team Houli Squad poses for a photo during the 2022 AFL Futures match between Team Houli and Team Murphy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

A new deal for Broad would likely see the Swan Districts product see out his career in the yellow and black before handing the baton over to emerging talls Josh Gibcus and Tylar Young.

Balta, another member of the Tigers' last line, is said to be nearing a decision of his own as his contract reaches its expiry, with a new two-year deal said to be on the table, perย AFL.com.au.

After commencing his career in the yellow and black as a forward-ruck option, Balta has developed into a prolific swingman option for the Tigers and looms as a key piece of their future plans.

Balta has played 65 games for Richmond since making his debut in 2019, playing in the club's VFL premiership that year before being a member of their AFL flag side the following season.

After re-signing with the club on a two-year deal in 2021, the 23-year-old is expected to sign a deal of a similar length that will take him to free agency in 2025.

Richmond also have co-captains Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes off-contract this year, as well as veterans Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt, with the latter two seen likely to call time on their careers at the cessation of this season.

The Tigers will tussle with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at the MCG as they look to add to their 1-1-1 record to start the 2023 season. Broad will miss that encounter as he serves the second week of his four-match ban for Rough Conduct.