Esava Ratugolea.Credit:Getty Images
Ratugolea played the first three matches before being demoted to the VFL and then required surgery after hurting his ankle mid-year.
He returned to play the final round but did not figure in the finals.
Port see him playing a role in defence and as a potential ruckman with more senior opportunities likely at Alberton Oval than at the defending premier.
Geelong have a long tradition of giving players opportunities at other clubs after several years in the Cats system if their spot in the senior team is not established,and they could argue for a pick that might give them enough draft capital to facilitate deals for Tanner Bruhn and Ollie Henry.
Geelong list manager Andrew Mackie told AFL Trade Radio the big Cat remained a required player,although Ratugolea’s position was reasonable.
“We’ve put games into ‘Sav’ and he’s been a big part of our succession plan forward of the footy,” Mackie said.
“Clearly blokes like Sav six years into the system just want to start playing footy,and we’ve had that discussion with him. We’ll continue to try and map out for him how that would look.
“He’s a contracted player. No doubt the coach does love him,we love him,but we totally understand that he’s trying to work out where he’s going to play his footy. We’re pretty clear on how that looks,so that’s where that one sits.”
Collingwood and the Giants are adamant they want fair returns for Henry and Bruhn respectively as they were both chosen with first-round picks two years ago. The Cats are keen to hold on to pick No.7 they will gain in the Jack Bowes deal,so might have to give up a future second-round pick in return.
Port Adelaide are waiting on deals to obtain Jason Horne-Francis from North Melbourne and Junior Rioli from West Coast.