Scott takes second swipe over star's trade call

Geelong coach Chris Scott has cast doubts over Esava Ratugolea's trade to Port Adelaide, saying he can't "see a deal getting done at all".

Scott and Port football boss Chris Davies have verbally sparred since Ratugolea submitted a trade request earlier this month, with Davies confident a deal would get done in next month's AFL trade period.

Speaking to 9News Adelaide, Scott suggested Geelong won't be pushed around in trade talks.

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"I've been really invested in Esava and my preference is to keep him, so I don't see a deal getting done at all at the moment," he said.

"We try to treat every situation on its own merits. There's obviously comparisons with other situations, but we understand the market for key defenders is really, really strong at the moment, and we're included in that, so that's largely why we'd like to keep him.

"Aside from the investment we've made in him, players are getting huge offers at the moment and we understand why that (a move to Port) would be attractive (for Ratugolea)."

When asked whether he'd prefer a player in return for the 25-year-old over a picks package, Scott responded: "I haven't even thought through that, my intention is not to trade him".

Scott denied he'd had discussions with his Port Adelaide counterpart over what it would take for the Power to pry Ratugolea from Kardinia Park, where he has spent the entirety of his career.

"No, no, coaches don't talk to each other about these things," he said.

"Sincerely, I don't get involved outside of our list management group and then the external conversations are handled by (Geelong list boss) Andrew Mackie and that team."

Ratugolea has played 75 games for Geelong since making his debut in 2018. He played 16 games in 2023, averaging a career-high 8.9 disposals and 4.4 marks per game.

He is one of three rival players to have requested trades to Port Adelaide this summer, joining Essendon's Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Bulldogs big man Jordon Sweet.