West Coast are one of several clubs believed to be pursuing out of contract Gold Coast forward Jed Walter who has strong connections to WA.
The West Australian understands the Eagles along with numerous Victorian clubs are monitoring Walter’s situation at the powerhouse Suns as he battles to work his way into their best side.
Walter is yet to re-sign beyond his initial draft contract which expires at the end of this season, having been recruited through the Suns’ academy with pick No.3 in the 2023 draft.
The 20-year-old kicked four goals in a practice game against junior club Palm Beach Currumbin which served as a curtain raised to the round one clash between Gold Coast and West Coast.
Watler missed the Opening Round win over Geelong after he was suspended for round conduct in a pre-season loss to fellow Queensland side Brisbane last month.
He was then overlooked for the clash against West Coast and has not played since round 19 last season.
Watler has kicked 29 goals in 30 games in his first two seasons at Gold Coast, but was not part of the team which played in their first finals campaign.
The power forward grew up an Eagles fan, living in South Perth until he was eight when his family move to the east coast.
“I have always loved West Coast. I have been a hardcore West Coast fan growing up,” Walter told The West Australian before he was drafted.
“We’ve always been a huge AFL family, but we decided to make the move to the Gold Coast when I was eight. Mum loved it over there when we went for holidays, so she decided it was time for a change.
“But growing up in Perth it was either West Coast or Fremantle. My Mum, my Nan and my Pop have always supported West Coast, and I jumped on them because the family did.
“I model my game on (Carlton forward) Charlie Curnow, but back when I was younger, I loved Nic Naitanui and Josh Kennedy as well. They were the main two I loved growing up.”
When asked about any interest in Walter earlier this month, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said: “The decisions we’re going to have to make going forward are going to be trade, free agency — all those things — and draft capital.
“We’ll put a lot of work into that and you have to weigh up how many young players you keep taking in the draft versus acquisitions and trade and free agency.
“We will use every avenue we can to get the best players we can.”
Gold Coast have several big contract decisions looming with their forwards, with spearhead Ben King also yet to re-sign and linked to a potential move back to Victoria.
Meanwhile, former Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is only on a one-year deal after his high-profile move north.
West Coast are building a new-look forward line around All-Australian Jake Waterman after co-captain Oscar Allen moved to Brisbane as a free agent last year.
Second-year Eagle Jobe Shanahan and fellow tall Archer Reid each kicked a goal in the 59-point defeat to the Suns on Sunday.