In an interesting turn of events, a report has revealed that Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson is of interest to multiple Victorian clubs, "believing his head could be turned".
Jackson - who hails from Western Australia - was originally drafted by Melbourne with Pick 3 in the 2019 National Draft.
The athletic ruck was pivotal in bringing a drought-breaking premiership to the Demons in 2021 but always longed to return home.
At the end of 2022, both Fremantle and Melbourne made it happen for Jackson as the former coughed up two first-round picks for the Rising Star winner.
The 23-year-old has notched up 97 games (52 - Demons, 45 - Fremantle) and has shown glimpses of his brilliance, pricking the ears up of rivals who may think he's gettable.
Despite his happiness at the Western Australian club, where he is contracted until the end of 2029, where there's smoke, there's usually fire.
So, we assess five clubs that could make a move for Luke Jackson...
This seems pretty self-explanatory.
Despite Max Gawn's supreme reign as the competition's best ruckman for seven of the past nine years, time has yet to lose a battle, and unfortunately for Demons fans, they won't win this one.
Gawn's output at age 33 places him among the greatest ruckmen to ever do it, but at some point, he'll need to pass on the baton.
Enter Jackson, who is already familiar with the club due to his three seasons there.
Jackson was earmarked to replace Gawn before his move to Fremantle and could still be the saving grace the proud club needs.
Melbourne secured Tom Campbell as a back-up for the seven-time All-Australian, while Tom Fullarton, 26, and Will Verrall, 21, are yet to make a meaningful impact.
Underpinning this potential move is the notion that Kysaiah Pickett is reportedly interested in playing football in Western Australia.
Demons president Brad Green declared that Pickett's value is at least three first-round picks given he is contracted until the end of 2027.
This alone would give Melbourne the upper hand in trade negotiations if they were to go down this path.
Where there's a Geelong, there's a way.
The Victorian club that sits down the highway has an uncanny knack for luring some of the game's biggest stars.
Could Luke Jackson be one of them?
Hailing from WA, Jackson could be interested in the quieter lifestyle that the fishbowl of Melbourne doesn't have.
Just ask how Bailey Smith is enjoying his time largely out of the spotlight.
The Cats clearly need to fill the ruckman void and have been relying on veteran duo Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs, while premiership defender Sam De Koning has featured in the role recently.
Geelong's interest in high-profile midfielders Matt Rowell and Clayton Oliver, as well as successfully trading for Smith, leads onlookers to believe they have the cash to facilitate a deal for Jackson.
Imagine a midfield of Jackson, Holmes, Smith and Bowes. Scary stuff....
The Cats, while maybe reluctantly, could place Shannon Neale on the trade table, with the young Cats ruck-forward hailing from WA and off-contract this year.
This would make the most sense.
St Kilda have attempted to land a big fish for multiple years to, hopefully, one day return to premiership relevance.
This year alone, the Saints made their feelings known by going after Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne), Finn Callaghan (GWS) and Tom De Koning (Carlton).
All who'd require massive deals.
Callaghan re-signed with the Giants after reportedly knocking back a $17 million, 10-year deal from the Moorabbin club.
De Koning is currently weighing up a huge offer from the Blues, while it is understood that the Saints are preparing a $12 million bid to lure him.
So there's no questioning St Kilda's warchest and belief that they could strike a deal.
The list sits precariously among the youngest in the competition and the need to find support for Rowan Marshall is irrefutable.
Seems like the perfect equation for the Saints, right?
You can't go among potential landing spots for any star of the competition without mentioning the Kangaroos.
The forever-rebuilding club, like St Kilda, has often found themselves empty-handed when striving to land a big fish. Dusty. Kelly. Even Horne-Francis, who left after 12 months.
North Melbourne have the funds. They have talented youth. They've got the messiah at the helm in Alastair Clarkson.
One thing they are missing is the draft capital, after selling their 2025 first-round pick to Richmond for Matt Whitlock.
But, like Collingwood who landed Dan Houston without a first-round selection, it can be done with some creativity.
Combining Jackson with Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Luke Davies-Uniacke (pending he stays), Jy Simpkin and Cam Zurhaar is the stuff of dreams.
And assisting Tristan Xerri in the ruck and bridging the next wave of talls is another consideration the Kangaroos will make.
The prospect of Richmond is slightly left-field given the position they are in.
There's no doubt that the Tigers could facilitate a trade with draft capital and meet the needs of Jackson financially after the departure of seven premiership players.
The Punt Road club has 29 players on their list with less than 50 games experience, albeit skewed by the assembly of 2024 draftees.
Like North Melbourne, Richmond could present Jackson with the autonomy to make the midfield his own, while giving the yellow and black a glimpse into life after captain Toby Nankervis.
After 'Nank', the ruck pickings are slim, with Samson Ryan the only logical replacement.
There is plenty to work with at Tigerland, but would Jackson be willing to do so?
