Melbourne clubs set for O’Keefe chase

Sydney forward Ryan O’Keefe’s desire to return to his home city of Melbourne is set to prompt a fierce recruiting contest between several Victorian clubs in next week’s AFL trade.

O’Keefe, 27, is out of contract and keen to return home after nine seasons with the Swans, the Ten Network reported tonight.

The Swans have offered the half-forward a three-year deal, but he has refused to sign and told the club he wanted to return home.

The availability of the 2006 All-Australian, who played in Sydney’s 2005 premiership side and has played 164 games (178 goals) for the club, looms as one of the biggest potential trades in next week’s exchange period.

His marking strength and skill as a half-forward is likely to make him an appealing proposition to several clubs, and Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and St Kilda are among the clubs likely to show interest.

O’Keefe’s desire to return home and the fact he is out of contract leaves Sydney in the unenviable position of possessing little bargaining power in any potential trade.

The Swans would be keen to get a decent trade for a player of his quality, and desperate to avoid O’Keefe being nabbed for nothing in next year’s pre-season, where wooden spooner Melbourne have first pick.

But O’Keefe’s drawing power as a trade could at least allow the Swans to make a decent play for West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr, possibly by way of a three-way trade involving a Victorian club.

Sydney have reportedly offered Kerr a five-season deal, but the Eagles have demanded two top-10 picks in this year’s national draft as the minimum compensation required for the star onballer.

O’Keefe’s manager could not be contacted, while a Swans spokeswoman could not confirm the report

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