Port Adelaide are set to keep their eye on Geelong's Esava Ratugolea across the course of the next year after the contracted Cat failed to land a desired move to Alberton before Wednesday night's trade deadline.
Ratugolea had lodged a trade request to the Power with less than a week left in the sign and trade window, with the Cats needing to be satisfied by the South Australian club given their want to retain the Fijian and his contract status for 2023.
The Power had hoped Pick 33 would have seen a deal between the two clubs settle, while some hope would've gone toward the Cats folding at the last minute and giving Ratugolea the green light to head west.
But a move failed to prevail, with Ratugolea set to see out his contract at Kardinia Park and continue to fight for a spot in Chris Scott's side.
The 24-year-old played his first game since Round 3 of this year in Geelong's final game of the home and away season as a key defender, a position Ratugolea had shifted to, and impressed in, in the latter half of this year at VFL level.
A spot in Ken Hinkley's rearguard, and likely greater opportunities at senior level, were on offer to Ratugolea from the Power, with the 59-gamer looking to add more minutes to his career.
But while the Power's plans to secure the 197cm-tall utility failed, Port Adelaide list manager Jason Cripps has revealed his club will continue to "track" Ratugolea in the final year of his contract with the Cats.
“We will certainly follow Esava, we'd love him at our footy club, but 12 months is a long time,” Cripps told SEN SA.
“But it has been well documented that an area of need for us is our key backs, and bringing some players to the club to give us depth.
“So we will certainly explore that and track Esava and see how it is in 12 months or so.”
Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies flagged to Trade Radio on Wednesday that the Power could look to bolster their key defensive stocks at the National Draft, with Pick 33 their opening selection for next month's count.
The Power did end the trade period as one of the biggest improvers, adding Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli to their squad, however saw their draft hand for this year and next significantly depleted.
The pair of additions, coupled with the development of younger personnel, could have Port Adelaide back in the premiership frame after a disappointing 2022 campaign.
In line with Ratugolea's contract at the Cattery, Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley's deal at Alberton is set to expire in 12 months' time, with a return to the top eight a likely requirement for the Cats great to see his tenure extended beyond 2023.
