It looks as though Esava Ratugolea is going to have to wait a little bit longer before he lands at Port Adelaide. Photos: AFL PHOTOS

The Esava Ratugolea stalemate continued on Thursday with Geelong reportedly rejecting Port Adelaide’s current offer for the swing man.

Multiple reports on day four of the 2023 AFL trade period have suggested that the Cats are not impressed with the Power stumping up pick 24 for Ratugolea’s services.

The 25-year-old, who started his career up forward but was deployed down back this year with good effect, has been on Port Adelaide’s radar for some time, and understandably so.

Despite making the top four in 2023, the Power’s biggest weakness – their undersized defence – got badly exposed in the finals as they got bundled out in straight sets.

Aliir Aliir desperately needs help down there, and having to rely on a banged-up Trent McKenzie for much of the season as his key defensive partner-in-crime ultimately blew up in Port Adelaide’s face.

But if they want to get their hands on Ratugolea, it looks as though they’re going to have to give up more than their second-round pick.

The Cats had also reportedly made a cheeky play for Port Adelaide’s promising young forward Ollie Lord, who kicked four goals against Brisbane at the Gabba in the second qualifying final. But the Power were having none of it, dismissing Geelong’s interest out of hand.

Since being taken by the Cats with pick 43 in the 2016 draft, Ratugolea has played 75 games in seven seasons, with injuries keeping him off the park for a decent chunk of his career so far.

While Thursday might have been quiet, plenty of other dominoes are still expected to fall over the final six days of the exchange period.

St Kilda small forward Jade Gresham has nominated Essendon as his next club of choice, although his path to Tullamarine could be made trickier by the Saints potentially matching a bid for their restricted free agent. That would force the Bombers to either trade for Gresham, or wait until the pre-season draft to secure his services.

Port Adelaide youngster Xavier Duursma is also seeking a move to the Bombers, and gun Fremantle forward Lachie Schultz wants to become a Magpie.

The Power loom as a big player in the trade period with Ratugolea, Essendon defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet all seemingly destined to join them.

Essendon on-baller Dylan Shiel has been linked to a potential Gresham trade, and fringe Bombers defender Massimo D’Ambrosio has requested a trade to Hawthorn.

Bulldogs forward Rory Lobb is reportedly in the market for a fourth club – possibly Melbourne – while vastly-improved Fremantle youngster Liam Henry has asked to be traded to St Kilda.

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.

Gold Coast looks set to lose key forward Mabior Chol, who is in Hawthorn’s sights, and the Eagles are keen on Hawthorn’s Tyler Brockman, although Fremantle have also lodged their interest in the small forward.

Hawks forward Jacob Koschitzke has requested to be traded to Richmond, Melbourne looks like it will be Brisbane ruck Tom Fullarton’s new home and Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow wants to join St Kilda.

The Blues would like to unite Gold Coast’s Elijah Hollands with younger brother Ollie at Ikon Park, and while the rumours won’t go away surrounding star Bulldog Bailey Smith potentially heading to Geelong, the Cats have dismissed those suggestions.

GWS have shown interest in Port Adelaide’s Orazio Fantasia and Adelaide’s Elliott Himmelberg, Crows forward Shane McAdam appears set to become a Demon, St Kilda’s Nick Coffield will likely head to the Bulldogs, and the Magpies have shown interest in another Saint Jack Billings.

2023 PLAYER MOVEMENTS

12. Zac Fisher (Carl) and Pick 17 (Carl) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for Pick 21 and Pick 25.
11. Taylor Adams (Coll) traded to Sydney in exchange for Pick 33.
10. Brodie Grundy (Melb) traded to Sydney in exchange for Pick 46 and Future Second-Round Pick.
** Pick 18 (GC) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for Future First-Round Assistance Pick.
9. Chris Burgess (GC) and Pick 14 (GC) traded to Adelaide in exchange for Pick 23 and Pick 26.
**Pick 11 (GC) traded to Melbourne in exchange for Pick 14, Pick 27 and Pick 35.
8. Dylan Stephens (Syd) and Pick 25 (Syd) traded to North Melbourne in exchange for Pick 44 and Future First-Round Assistance Pick.
7. James Harmes (Melb) traded to Western Bulldogs in exchange for Future Third-Round Pick.
6. Ben McKay (NM) joined Essendon as a restricted free agent. North Melbourne received Pick 3 (AFL) as compensation.
5. Todd Goldstein (NM) joined Essendon as an unrestricted free agent.
** Pick 24 (Fre) and Future Second-Round Pick (Fre) traded to Port Adelaide in exchange for Future First-Round Pick.
** Pick 5 (GC), Pick 47 (GC), Pick 52 (GC) and Future First-Round Pick (GC) traded to Western Bulldogs in exchange for Pick 11, Pick 18 and Future First-Round Pick.
4. Tom Doedee (Adel) joined Brisbane Lions as a restricted free agent. Adelaide received pick 20 (AFL) as compensation.
3. Joel Hamling (Fre) joined Sydney as an unrestricted free agent.
2. Matthew Flynn (GWS) joined West Coast as an unrestricted free agent. GWS received pick 42 (AFL) as compensation.
1. James Jordon (Melb) joined Sydney as an unrestricted free agent. Melbourne received pick 41 (AFL) as compensation.