West Coast are reportedly prepared to let premiership-winning forward Junior Rioli walk to the pre-season draft as a potential trade with Port Adelaide continues to remain out of reach.
Rioli requested a trade to Alberton in mid-September, but with the Eagles and Power still at an impasse over the correct price for the 27-year-old, West Coast's patience is said to be fraying.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Damien Barrett contended that Port's lowball offers could see Rioli's route to South Australia become perilous, with rival clubs potentially granted the ability to pick the forward off on the open market.
“They (Port Adelaide) have got problems with West Coast over the Rioli trade, and my understanding is West Coast, just to make a point, will be prepared – and we hear this a bit, but I believe this one to be the case – to let that one play out and unless they get what they want out of it, they will let him walk to the (pre-season draft),” Barrett stated.
Rioli has been joined by blue-chip Roo Jason Horne-Francis in requesting a trade to join Ken Hinkley's charges, however, a three-team deal involving each of the Power, Eagles and Roos is said to have left West Coast far from content.
“We know they are now obviously in and have been for some time on Jason Horne-Francis… there is nothing opening up (with North Melbourne)," Barrett added.
“The potential of West Coast getting involved with those other two clubs… that is not happening, I'm not saying it cannot be reignited but there is no traction on any of that.”
A 2018 premiership winner during his time with the Eagles, the price tag for Rioli's services is said to be set at a second-round selection.
At present, Port Adelaide is currently armed with picks 8, 33, 43, 57 and 60 ahead of November's National Draft.
