Trade HQ: Check out all the big list calls facing West Coast this off-season

West Coast wanted Tim Kelly last off-season. However, since missing out his price has continue to rise at warp speed. What will he cost the Eagles if they want to try again this year?

Jack Darling is being watched by a number of clubs. Picture: Getty Images

Rival clubs are circling West Coast forward Jack Darling and it’s easy to see why.

He has been ultra-consistent for the past four years and is putting together another strong season in 2019.

That’s why, if I’m in the Eagles list management team, I am doing absolutely everything in my power to keep him.

It’s not just about Darling’s star power though. The Eagles need him while Oscar Allen continues to develop.

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I really like what I’ve seen from Allen this year.

The young key forward has a big future at the top level. In an ideal world, Allen should be used as the replacement for Josh Kennedy, who is 31 and entering the final stage of his career.

I don’t think Allen is ready yet to step into a potential void left by Darling.

If the Eagles get their timing right they could enjoy two more seasons of Kennedy, Darling and Allen before transitioning into the latter two running the show.

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One area the Eagles don’t have to worry about is the small forwards.

Between Liam Ryan, Jamie Cripps and Willie Rioli they have three legitimate goal kicking options who are capable of turning matches in the space of a quarter.

Plus, young gun Jack Petruccelle isn’t far behind them and has proved he knows where the goals are.

Jack Darling is being watched by a number of clubs. Picture: Getty Images

An area I think the Eagles need to keep an eye on is their key defenders. Tom Barrass might be there for the next decade but Will Scofield is getting towards the end of his career.

In order to let Jeremy McGovern continue to play on the third tall and roam off the way he does, they need to make sure they have someone ready to fill the Scofield role when he retires.

TIM MICHELL BREAKS DOWN WEST COAST’S BIGGEST TRADE QUESTIONS

THREE EAGLES RIVAL RECRUITERS ARE WATCHING

Jack Darling

With his contract due to expire at the end of 2020, expect rival clubs to ask the question of enigmatic Eagles forward Darling. Could a club crying out for a key forward such as Western Bulldogs come with a big-money offer to lure Darling east? At 27, Darling would provide the experienced tall the Bulldogs crave in attack to complement Aaron Naughton.

Daniel Venables

A first-round draft pick in 2016, Victorian Venables has only played six games this year due to concussion and has an average of nine disposals and three marks. He hasn’t won big numbers in the WAFL but at 20 years of age a return to his home state and the promise of more midfield time could appeal. He’s out of contract next year so expect clubs to make inquiries.

Chris Masten

Do any clubs need an experienced midfielder? At 30 years of age Masten wouldn’t command much trade value but he’s out of contract and has been in and out of the senior team. Masten would have value at a club with a developing midfield such as Carlton or Gold Coast.

Chris Masten has been in and out of the Eagles side. Picture: Getty Images

TWO PLAYERS EAGLES RECRUITERS ARE WATCHING

Stephen Coniglio

Western Australian Coniglio has been linked with a host of Victorian clubs, headlined by Carlton, St Kilda, Hawthorn and Geelong. Whether the reigning premier can offer the same money as their rivals remains to be seen, but the Eagles do have the lure of a return west. Reports have suggested at least one club was considering an offer of $1.4 million per season for the prolific Giant, who has become one of the league’s premier on-ballers.

Tim Kelly

The reigning premier went close to a deal last year and why wouldn’t they be dreaming of bringing Kelly back to Western Australia at the end of his Geelong contract? The longer Kelly waits to sign a deal with the Cats, the more the Eagles and Fremantle will fancy their chances of bringing him home. Kelly’s asking price will be sky high, especially if he figures prominently in the Brownlow Medal as expected. How much would West Coast be prepared to part with to add one of the best midfielders in the game alongside Elliot Yeo, Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey and co?

Tim Kelly has gone from strength to strength. Picture: Getty Images

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The reigning premier was unable to engineer a trade for Geelong star Tim Kelly who has gone on to become one of this year’s Brownlow Medal favourites. In hindsight, they probably should have paid the Cats’ asking price which was reportedly a top-10 pick. It was suggested West Coast offered picks 20 and 22, eventually drafting Xavier O’Neill and Luke Foley in the second round. If Kelly nominates West Coast as his preferred home again, they’ll be forced to give up at least one top draft pick to land him after his stunning 2019 form.

Bringing in Tom Hickey for a late pick was a move the club had little choice but to make after premiership winner Scott Lycett accepted an offer to join Port Adelaide. Hickey has been serviceable in tandem with Nathan Vardy but one, or both, is about to be squeezed out with Nic Naitanui’s now back in action. West Coast was linked with a move for Jordan Roughead who has been a revelation at Collingwood, but it is well stocked for key defenders. The biggest question heading into the trade period had been whether Andrew Gaff would re-sign and once he did it always meant the Eagles were likely to be a small player. West Coast has few holes of its list and retention looms as its priority again.