A year after failing to make the move from the Cattery to Alberton, sought-after defender Esava Ratugolea has told Geelong he wants to be traded to Port Adelaide.
The 25-year-old remains without a deal tying him to the Cats, and after consulting with several industry sources, The Age has reported that the defender has made it known he wants to be playing for Ken Hinkley's side next season.
Both Hawthorn and Sydney were said to be in the market for Ratugolea's signature, however, with the newly-minted stopper reiterating the same wishes he made public last season, the Hawks and Swans will be required to look elsewhere for a ready-made defensive player.
Recent reports ahead of the exchange period have stated that Hawthorn, Sydney and a slew of other suitors are in the market for free-agent Ben McKay's signature.
At present, Port Adelaide are currently armed with the 37th, 43rd, 72nd and 90th picks at the 2023 AFL Draft in order to strike a deal.
Since debuting in 2018, Ratugolea has gone on to make a further 74 AFL appearances in blue and white hoops, plying his trade both ahead of the ball and behind it.
The 197-centimetre stopper is not the only player on Port's shopping list, with Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy also in list boss Jason Cripps' sights.
