Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin believes that former teammates Dustin Martin and Liam Baker could be on the move in this year's trade period.
Martin and Baker both come out of contract by the cessation of the season and have been circled by rival clubs.
The three-time Norm Smith medallist has been touted for a move away from the 'bubble' that is Melbourne, with links to Sydney and Queensland as potential landing spots.
Former coach Damien Hardwick heads the Gold Coast Suns and could be used as a luring tool if the 2017 Brownlow medallist were to make a change.
As for Baker, who hails from Western Australia, Cotchin believes that the "numbers" from West Coast and Fremantle are "significant", while Victorian clubs are reportedly circling.
"I believe that one of them, if not both, will not be in Richmond colours next year."
Trent Cotchin on the futures of Dustin Martin and Liam Baker 👀 pic.twitter.com/0wuoXEED4E
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 17, 2024
"I believe, that one, if not both, will not be in Richmond colours next year," Cotchin said on Channel 7's Talking Footy.
"Well, Baker, the numbers I'm hearing from the west are pretty significant."
Despite current Tigers coach Adem Yze declaring the club will "give him the world" if he opts to stay, the lure of a big contract and a move to the home state might be enough for the premiership utility.
Baker said in March that he'll leave all discussions up to his management and the club but will "hold up (his) end" of the bargain on the field.
"My deal with my manager is that when we get stuck into the year I hold up my end trying to play some good footy and then he'll hold up his end in trying to work with the club later on in the year," Baker said.
"That's the plan at the moment. There's been new changes (at the club), so there's a lot of unknown for myself and the whole group really, so I won't really know too much more until later into the season or a few weeks down the track.
"I'm just thinking about trying to play some good footy and get a good start for the season, and then everything else comes."
Reports indicated that Baker purchased a multi-million dollar home in Perth last month too.
Cotchin's comments come shortly after reports indicating that rebounding defender Daniel Rioli made a trip to the Gold Coast during the club's bye, but it may not have been for a leisurely stay.
10 News First understands Richmond premiership player Daniel Rioli has visited the Gold Coast and it wasn’t just for a holiday.
Rioli is known to have a close relationship with Suns coach Damien Hardwick, with the running defender spending the first two years of his AFL career… pic.twitter.com/Tg1H3HIVit
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) April 17, 2024
Rioli is contracted at Punt Road until the end of 2027, which would mean a move would require a trade.
Richmond will also need to lock away Dylan Grimes, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Graham, with the latter previously garnering interest from South Australia.
Graham toured the Port Adelaide facilities and has had a wretched run with injuries, with a fresh start looming amid a period of expected turmoil and uncertainty for the Tigers.