Richmond star midfielder Jack Graham is looking more likely by the day to make the switch from Punt Road back home to South Australia during free agency period.
The 24-year-old yesterday met with Ken Hinkley and had a tour of Port Adelaide's Alberton training ground, all but confirming reports he is seriously considering a move back home to Adelaide.
Graham has been earmarked as a future Richmond captain by the Tiger faithful and punters alike, with his quality and hard-nosed character seeing him be a core part of all of the club's premiership successes.
However, it's the pursuit of Giants star pairing Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper that is leaving Graham with the conundrum of either sticking it out and battling for places at Punt Road or switching to Ken Hinkley's Power and becoming a core part of their engine room.
Speaking on Hanger TV, Jake Benoiton has weighed in on the situation, agreeing that letting Graham go could be a move Damien Hardwick lives to regret.
"They are getting in two very, very good players but I just can't imagine letting Jack Graham go would be for the betterment of the football club in any capacity," Benoiton said.
"I think he's a superstar, he's a very, very good player and he's touted as a future captain.
"We see the likes of Trent Cotchin, Toby Nankervis and Dylan Grimes - there is a special kind of character in those three and Jack Graham fits that mould terrifically.
"Bringing in two players on seven-year deals on likely north of $700k only to get rid of Jack Graham who has been a part of your most successful era almost ever, it seems like a brave move but it's not one that I'm on board with."
After playing 20 games throughout the home-and-away season, Graham was not selected for the club's elimination final loss to the Lions as a result of a nagging foot injury that saw him sit out Round 23.
The star mid burst onto the scene in Richmond's triumphant 2017 Grand Final win, booting three goals in the big dance at just 19 years of age.
Since then, he has effectively kept his spot in the side, however, the impending arrival of Taranto and Hopper will almost certainly change that.
Should Graham somehow stay, he will be battling with veterans Dion Prestia and Trent Cotchin for a spot in the side's 22, with the latter of those likely being the one he beats out to as a result of 2023 likely being his final year of AFL football.
The 24-year-old still has a year to go on his contract, meaning that the Power will have to throw in something to entice Blair Hartley and his list management team despite the Tigers having to likely clear out salary cap space to make room for their incomings.
All will be revealed over trade period, however there is no question that Tiger fans will be sad to see Graham walk should he return home.
