No surprises that we're interested in a key defender:
ESSENDON'S Tayte Pears headlines a host of out-of-contract key defenders attracting keen interest from opposition clubs, desperate to bolster their backlines.
Other out-of-contract key defenders on the radar of opposition clubs include North Melbourne pair Nathan Grima and Luke Delaney, West Coast's Mitch Brown and, to a lesser extent, Carlton youngster Matthew Watson.
Industry sources say the clubs most actively in the market for a tall backman are St Kilda, the Brisbane Lions and West Coast, all of whom AFL.com.au understands are among Pears' potential suitors.
Grima has come onto Adelaide's radar after a solid start to 2013. Grima has a connection to the Crows and South Australia, having been coached by Adelaide's national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie as a junior with the Tassie Mariners and played in Central Districts' 2007 SANFL premiership.
Delaney, 24, has been unable to break into North's team this season but his outstanding VFL form with North Ballarat has attracted the interest of clubs including the Brisbane Lions, Geelong, West Coast and St Kilda.