Duffield’s thoughts and whispers on playing futures of Baker, Barrass, Busslinger and more

SEN WA host Mark Duffield is one of the most connected people in the WA footy world.

As a result, he was asked his thoughts on the futures of several names that could either be moving to or leaving Perth-based AFL clubs when he joined SEN WA The Run Home.

The veteran journalist gave his thoughts on some moves that could be bubbling away ahead of this off-season including Richmond’s Liam Baker’s potential move home, why West Coast could look to trade Tom Barrass, whether a former first-rounder could also move home and if the Eagles should again chase Brisbane’s Deven Robertson.

Check out his responses below!

Liam Baker (Richmond) and his potential move home

“I think it'll become clearer in a month or two,” Duffield told SEN WA The Run Home.

“I think it's more likely that he comes home than stays at Richmond, but it's still a possibility that he might stay at Richmond.

“Over east, they're saying definitely West Coast if he comes, I still think both WA clubs are very much in the mix.

“I think Liam Baker will try and be good to Richmond on the way out if he leaves, which means he'll be looking at the compensation package and what draft picks might be available in terms of the trade.”

Tom Barrass (West Coast) and his gettable status

“That is why maybe another reason why Tom Barrass might be gettable because if Tom Barrass nets them the sort of draft picks that can put him in the frame to get a high-grade player and bring them in.

“Let’s not forget that at the moment that Fremantle has three first-rounders, then West Coast may have to look at doing the deal.”

Jedd Busslinger (Western Bulldogs) and links to West Coast

“It's a good question (whether the WA products could look at coming to West Coast).

“Although now with Alex Pearce injured and you start looking at Fremantle’s defensive stocks, how are they going? So, it might not just be West Coast in the mix for him.

“Everyone loved Busslinger and when he went to the Dogs, they thought he was potentially a great leader and a very good player. We haven't seen anything of him at senior level, but it is only his second year. The key positions often take a little bit longer.

“I did hear a whisper a few weeks back that West Coast were into him (Busslinger), and he was a chance to go back to them.”

Deven Robertson (Brisbane) and whether West Coast should target him again

“Do you ever greatly improve yourself by bringing in guys who can't secure spots in another club's first team?

“We've probably seen the classic example of this at Port Adelaide this year, haven't we? We thought they specifically targeted certain areas of the ground, namely the defence where they were going to bring in players who had played in senior footy at other clubs and that was supposedly going to solve all of Port Adelaide's defensive problems.

“But it just doesn't because they're not good enough players. Esava Ratugolea is not a good enough player and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is not a good enough player.

“So, the question West Coast would have to ask themselves is although Deven Robertson is a great person and a great competitor, is he a good enough player to greatly improve West Coast’s playing stocks?

“You'd probably have to be doubtful about that as it stands.”