St Kilda's Rowan Marshall is expected to request a trade for the second season in a row, but has yet to nominate a club of preference as Geelong looms.
Marshall is contracted for next year, but it's understood the Saints are more open to dealing with rivals this time around.
A deal between the Moorabbin club and the Cats last year wasn't agreed upon, but given the arrival of Tom De Koning, who played predominantly as the No.1 ruck, the Saints have softened.
"St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall has informed the club that he will seek a trade during the upcoming Trade Period," a club statement read.
"Rowan is a highly valued member of the St Kilda Football Club and remains contracted until the end of 2027.
"Marshall has not nominated a preferred destination at this stage, with the club making clear that any trade will need to be in the best interests of the St Kilda Football Club."
The Cats have longed for a genuine ruckman since Brad Ottens in the 2000s, using the likes of Rhys Stanley, Mark Blicavs, Dawson Simpson and more recently Mitch Edwards.
Geelong coach Chris Scott answered questions regarding Marshall's desire to leave the Saints.
"If I was (interested), I wouldn't tell you," Scott said on Tuesday.
"It's an unfortunate situation. I think everyone would like us all to be a bit more open, but I think it's got to the stage now (where) the communication should be driven by the players themselves.
"I don't think it's our place to sort of speak on their behalf so it's probably a question better directed at him."
Adding further intrigue to the ruck merry-go-round is the future of Tim English, which the Western Bulldogs have not been keen on discussing.
Speculation over English's future continues to mount, and has heightened following his partner's move to Super Netball club NSW Swifts.
Late last month, coach Luke Beveridge said he hadn't heard anything that would suggest a move away from the Whitten Oval.
“We haven't seen or heard anything internally that gives it any credence,” Beveridge said.
"I think he will (see out his contract); he's not intimating that he's unhappy. He's been a tremendous servant for a long period of time.
“We're pretty secure in the knowledge that Tim's going to be here for a fair bit longer.
“It's probably not a time to be dealing in hypotheticals … I'd rather not speculate. I think all the silly season stuff - we're not trying to be involved in it; (we will) play as long as we can, and then we'll be under more pressure to answer some of those questions."
The Bulldogs tall has been linked to GWS, who farewelled Kieren Briggs and are in need of bolstering their ruck stocks.
Nick Madden penned a four-year extension at the Giants but is still learning the craft of an AFL ruckman.
However, multiple reports have confirmed the Bulldogs have no intention of trading the contracted English, who has a deal until the end of 2029.
The Whitten Oval club is believed to have a preliminary interest in St Kilda's Marshall, if English were to depart at season's end.
