ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Dougal Howard of Port Adelaide gets away from Daniel Rioli of the Tigers during the round four AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Richmond Tigers at Adelaide Oval on April 13, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide defender Dougal Howard is the subject of interest from a couple of Victorian clubs, despite being contracted until the end of the 2022 season.

According to AFL Media, Essendon and North Melbourne are keeping tabs on Howard's situation, and are reportedly leading the race for his services should he depart the Power.

“He’s a 200cm key back, he’s been forced to play key forward this year because he was pushed out of that defence," AFL Nation's Mitch Cleary told SEN on Friday.

"He has interest from Essendon and North Melbourne.”

The 23-year-old has played 45 games for the Power over the past four years, and has career averages of 11.0 disposals, 4.3 marks and 2.1 rebound 50s per game.