Seaby is on the move East 
Eagle may soar east
Seaby pursues trade to land top ruck gig By Jay Clark
Sunday Herald-Sun 26 JUL 2009, Page S14
WEST Coast big man Mark Seaby will leave the Eagles to pursue a No. 1 ruck role elsewhere next season.
Seaby, 25, has requested a trade after slipping to third in line behind behind Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
Seaby and Fremantle key position player Marcus Drum are expected to attract considerable interest in October's exchange period after falling out of favour at their West Australian clubs.
Drum, the No. 10 pick in the 2005 national draft from Congupna, near Shepparton, has been continually overlooked in favour of 11 Fremantle debutants this season.
The 22-year-old swingman, who has played one game this year and 18 in four seasons at the Dockers, has lobbed on the radar of at least Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.
At 192cm, Drum can play at both ends of the ground.
Seaby and Drum are in their final years of contracts, with five games remaining in the season to enhance their trade prospects.
Seaby's manager, Wayne Loxley, said his client was ready for a fresh challenge after 102 games in six seasons playing second fiddle to Cox.
"We've sought an expression of interest from several clubs who are keen on a ruckman of Mark's quality,'' Loxley said.
"Given the chance, we feel he is ready to assert himself as a No. 1 ruckman.
"He has already got a lot of experience, but he is only 25, so he's still got plenty of good footy ahead of him.''
West Coast played hard ball in trade negotiations last year, demanding a first-round pick for the 2006 premiership player in talks with Sydney, St Kilda, Richmond and Melbourne.
Sydney, with its history of trading for recycled ruckmen in Darren Jolly, Peter Everitt and Jason Ball, is understood to be interested.
But Victorian clubs Essendon and Collingwood, two teams who could do with more help in the ruck, may also come into the frame.
The Eagles would have to soften their hardline trade stance or risk getting nothing for Seaby, who was prepared to take his chances in the draft if West Coast could not secure a deal in trade week, Loxley said.
The 200cm ruckman is prepared to go anywhere in a bid to play on a more regular basis.
The second-stringer has averaged 11 hitouts and nine touches per game and posed a threat up forward, kicking 64 goals, or roughly one every two matches over his career.
Coach John Worsfold has hinted a trade could be on the cards.
"He's out of contract and that's something we'll assess in October,'' Worsfold said.
"Any player wants to play well and play at their best.
"By doing that it's great for his long-term career.''
Drum, who kicked four goals against Adelaide in Round 16, 2007, has not played since he was dropped after the club's season opener against the Bulldogs.
The utility has been solid without being outstanding in the WAFL this year.
The Dockers have a poor record of letting go players who have produced their best form after moving on. Paul Medhurst, Peter Bell, Adam McPhee, Jess Sinclair, James Clement, Jeff White, Brodie Holland and Winston Abraham all hit their peaks after leaving the club.
