Trade interest in Sydney Swans tall Joel Amartey has been tipped to spike off the back of the ruck-forward's four-goal haul against Hawthorn in the absence of Lance Franklin.
Amartey, 23, was brought into John Longmire's side to face the Hawks in Round 2 after Franklin was handed a one-game suspension for his hit on Gold Coast's Sam Collins in Sydney's season opener.
With Franklin out of the picture, Amartey and fellow tall forward Logan McDonald combined for nine goals, the former booting a quartet of majors from just 50% game time as he was subbed out of the match.
Off-contract this year, further performances of that pedigree from the Beaumaris product this season will only pique the interest of rival clubs and potentially place the 197cm-tall talent in line for hefty pay bump.
The situation has left many to ponder if further interest in Amartey will rise again in 2023, with St Kilda reportedly expressing some level of interest in his services last year.
"He's always had to live in the shadow of Lance Franklin, and that's understandable," AFL reporter Mitch Cleary told the Tradies Podcast. "It's time for this guy to blossom.
"He's out of contract this year, and I'm told the Saints had a look last year. When they lost Paddy Ryder they were looking for a forward-ruck.
"[St Kilda] assessed the market a little bit. This guy came up on the radar and (they) were told pretty early by the Swans nothing was happening because his contract was running through the end of 2023.
"But this year, the ball was is in his court with his future and if he sees himself stuck behind Logan McDonald and not getting the same opportunities, I think there's a spot for him on the market.
"Could he be the second figure behind Tom De Koning in the market? For the clubs that don't get Tom De Koning on $800,000, could they come for a player like Joel Amartey?
"If he can keep his spot, I think there's money for him on the market."
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd shared a similar stance following Amartey's strong outing at the SCG over the weekend, believing almost every rival club will be taking notice of the Victorian ruck-forward's situation.
Lloyd stated that Sydney could have numerous clubs come calling for the likes of Amartey, McDonald and fellow tall Hayden McLean should a selection squeeze ensue this week with Franklin back in the selection mix.
"If I'm 17 other club's list bosses, I'm watching this now with interest," Lloyd said of Sydney's key-forward selection issues on Access All Areas.
"I'd be calling this morning and saying: 'We would play your boy for 22 weeks, we would play your player'.
"I don't think these two should be playing in the seconds, but you've got Lance Franklin sitting there."
Amartey and McLean are both off-contract this year and are product of the Sandringham Dragons.
Franklin joins them in being unsigned for 2024, however the four-time Coleman Medal winner is expected to call time on his career at season's end, likely opening up further opportunities for the likes of Amartey and McLean.
