Former Geelong midfielder Quinton Narkle could remain at Punt Road despite an unsuccessful pre-season training stint with Richmond, with the Tigers' VFL side seen to be one of three clubs chasing the ex-Cat.
Narkle linked up with Richmond's AFL program for the summer following his Kardinia Park departure, training for the last remaining list spot under Damien Hardwick.
The 25-year-old came up against local forward Kaelan Bradtke and overlooked draft hopeful Luke Teal in vying for a lifeline through the Supplemental Selection Period before the Tigers eventually decided to sign Bradtke ahead of this week's deadline.
The decision sees Narkle now needing to wait until the Mid-Season Draft to potentially land back on an AFL list, with the onballer now assessing where to play for the year ahead.
While a move to WAFL club the Perth Demons was seen likely, both Richmond's and Essendon's VFL sides are said to be showing interest in attaining the 41-gamer.
According to The West Australian, Perth face some competition from the Tigers and Bombers for Narkle's services as they look to build on a promising off-season.
Narkle won't be the only SSP triallist potentially landing back at the Demons after training with an AFL club, with Perth's own Sam Stubbs set to return to the club after his impressive stint with Fremantle.
Stubbs, along with Victorian Liam Sering, was overlooked for the final list spot at the Dockers after the WA club opted to hold their sole list vacancy open for the Mid-Season Draft.
Perth President Adrian Barich confirmed Stubbs' return to training this week following his Fremantle venture.
Samuel Stubbs is back at the @PerthFC - fantastic human and super talent @7NewsPerth Big thanks to @freodockers too 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/nJfh8itFyY
— adrian barich (@adrianbarich) February 17, 2023
The Demons will also have former Richmond utility Sydney Stack in the mix for the year ahead, with The West Australian reporting the 22-year-old has committed to playing with his former club for 2023.
Stack was cut by the Tigers at the end of last year after 35 games in four years in the yellow and black.
Perth will have a bevy of high-profile names helping the club's cause this year, with West Coast greats Ben Cousins and Matt Priddis and Fremantle record games holder David Mundy among those joining new coach Peter German in taking on off-field roles.
Perth will open their 2023 season against Subiaco at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday, April 8.
