A pair of rival clubs are expected to come calling for contracted St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall if the Saints successfully secure the services of Carlton free agent Tom De Koning.
De Koning has long been tied to a move to Moorabbin as he weighs up his future, with the Saints' expected offer to blow the Blues out of the water in a bidding war.
The Blues big man will have to weigh up his role and loyalty on top of the monetary factor, with De Koning likely to have the No.1 ruck role with Carlton while he could share those duties with Marshall at St Kilda.
As no word on an extension at Princes Park draws closer to the off-season, De Koning looks more and more likely to don the red, white and black from 2026.
But a move to the Saints is expected to cause a rolling effect on Marshall's future with the club, with the 29-year-old also wanting to "be the No.1 ruck".
According toย 9 News'ย Tom Morris, a successful play for De Koning could spark a bidding war for Marshall, with both Geelong and Adelaide tipped to chase.
If the Crows were to snare Marshall's signature, then incumbent tall Reilly O'Brien could find a home elsewhere, potentially filling the void left by De Koning at Carlton, while Geelong may turn their attention to Fremantle's Sean Darcy.
"There'd be no room for Rowan Marshall at St Kilda, who is contracted but wants to be the No.1 ruck," Morris said on if De Koning was to join St Kilda.
"He'd be pursued by Geelong and possibly Adelaide as well.
"If it is the Crows, this would lead to the out-of-contract Reilly O'Brien exit, and see Geelong renew its interest in contracted Docker Sean Darcy.
"As for Carlton, they could chase O'Brien or Darcy to fill the hole left by, that's right, Tom De Koning."
Marshall is contracted to the Saints until the end of next year, having signed a five-year extension with the club in 2022.
Prior to that re-signing, Marshall had fetched strong interest from Essendon, who have since settled on Sam Draper as their leading ruck choice.
Draper's future is currently up in the air as he is eligible for free agency in 2025, however a recent season-ending Achilles injury is likely to see him stay with the Bombers, with fellow sidelined tall Nick Bryan - who is also off-contract - likely to do the same.
Draper had earned interest from Adelaide prior to his injury, with the Crows looking to lure the Essendon gun back to his home , but could now turn their attention to a player of Marshall's stature if he becomes available on the open market.
