Hawthorn, Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs are chasing Nathan Vardy
REIGNING premier Hawthorn is one of three clubs chasing injury-ravaged Geelong big man Nathan Vardy.
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REIGNING premier Hawthorn is one of three clubs chasing injury-ravaged Geelong big man Nathan Vardy.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Hawks, Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney have all flagged their interest in the 199cm ruck-forward.
The Cats want to keep Vardy, 25, but it is increasingly likely the opportunity-starved tall will request a trade at season’s end.
However, Vardy may have to wait for other key dominoes to fall in this year’s trade period before his new home becomes clear.
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The Hawks have been linked to Richmond free agent Ty Vickery, the Bulldogs have emerged as the preferred new home for Travis Cloke and potentially banned Bomber Michael Hurley, and the Giants are waiting on a decision from athletic big man Rory Lobb.
Vardy’s career at Geelong is at the crossroads after playing only 25 games in seven seasons, including three last season and only one AFL match this year.
While a string of injuries have dogged Vardy, including serious hip and foot problems and a knee reconstruction, he has also struggled with form in the VFL this season.
The Gippsland product has booted seven goals from his 12 VFL games and has been named in the best players only once in 2016.
But his suitors remain encouraged by the enormous potential Vardy showed earlier in his career when his marking power was likened to St Kilda superstar Nick Riewoldt by Geelong senior coach Chris Scott.
But the Cats have since looked to other established talls to lead their ruck in recent years, recruiting Rhys Stanley, Mitch Clark and Zac Smith, prompting Vardy to look elsewhere.
Essendon tried to poach Vardy last year to partner Joe Daniher in attack.
But the marking target turned the Bombers down in a bid to have another crack at becoming a regular senior player at Geelong this season.
The luckless big man has been sidelined for the past three weeks by an ankle sprain but remains hopeful of returning to action before finals.
However, his poor season in the VFL means his trade value has plummeted.
Rival clubs may only offer Geelong a third-round draft pick for Vardy, who was initially taken by the Cats with pick No. 42 in the 2009 national draft.
Hawthorn is an attractive destination for the big man as Alastair Clarkson looks to bolster the club’s young key forward stocks and potentially find a successor for ruckman Ben McEvoy.
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Hawks’ champion Jarryd Roughead is recovering from melanoma and is sidelined indefinitely to focus on his health.
The Bulldogs are also in the market for another marking target as Jack Redpath recovers from his third knee reconstruction.
Greater Western Sydney is in danger of losing West Australian ruckman Lobb to West Coast or Fremantle, while Shane Mumford is 30.
Originally published as Hawthorn, Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs are chasing Nathan Vardy
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