Gold Coast's Connor Budarick could face an unfortunate list squeeze at the club, as rivals watch idly by as the season unfolds.
It is understood that the Western Bulldogs are among a "host of clubs" monitoring Budarick's movements, while Essendon and North Melbourne showed interest last year.
The 24-year-old is uncontracted beyond this season, and could be the victim of a defensive pinch at the Suns.
The inclusion of dashing defenders Daniel Rioli and John Noble has pushed Budarick further down the line, as the incoming academy prospect of Dylan Patterson, who is tipped to go inside the top 10 in the 2025 draft, could also spell trouble, according toย AFL Media'sย Cal Twomey.
Budarick, who was taken with Pick 16 in the 2019 Rookie Draft, has been limited to six opportunities this year, including one as the sub, with Damien Hardwick favouring Noble, Rioli and Wil Powell instead.
The Labrador product's form in the VFL since his axing would impress Hardwick and rival clubs, averaging 22.3 disposals, 7.7 marks and 9.3 tackles.
Opposition clubs are also wary of Budarick's injury history, having torn his ACL on two occasions, wiping out the majority of the 2021 campaign, as well as the second half of 2022, and the early stages of 2023.
He's played 42 games in five completed seasons, with the most coming in his maiden year at the Suns, featuring 15 times in 2020.
