Eade, who knows Witts from his days at Collingwood, believes he would be an ideal pick-up as the Suns look to recover from a disappointing 2016.

Current Gold Coast No.1 ruckman Tom Nicholls is out of contract, and while the rumour mill continues to generate talk of him leaving, the Suns are adamant he is close to re-signing.

It is believed Brisbane have also shown strong interest in the ruckman, but if he were to leave Collingwood, the Suns would be his preferred destination.

Witts managed only two games this season after struggling with injury and was largely overlooked for Brodie Grundy.

It is unclear what Witts' value would be on the open market.

Witts was taken with Collingwood's fourth-round pick (67) in the 2011 draft and has managed only 40 games since.

The Suns have two picks inside the top 10 and six inside 27, but will look to trade many of those for ready-made players.

In an ideal world, the Suns will want to exchange Dion Prestia – who has asked to be traded to Richmond – for pick six and will demand a first-round draft pick at least from Hawthorn for Jaeger O'Meara.

That would give the franchise club four first-round picks in the upcoming draft.

Given the Suns have four picks in the 20s (21, 22 , 24 & 27), it appears likely one of those will be used on Witts.

While that may appear overs for someone playing in the VFL, the Suns are aware there are at least three other suitors for Witts, including their cross-town rival Brisbane.

Witts has a contract offer on the table at Collingwood, but the Suns offer is more lucrative and includes the guarantee of more first-team football.

Talk of Witts' potential exit has been fuelled after confirmation from Collingwood that coach Nathan Buckley met with out-of-contract Richmond big man Ivan Maric last week.

Maric was spotted leaving Magpies headquarters on Olympic Boulevard wearing a hood over his head.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has conceded that talking to Maric is linked to the potential for Witts to leave in the off-season.

"It would be a window into the possibility [of him leaving]," he said.

"Wittsy is in the midst of a VFL finals campaign … and playing really well … but once again he's found himself in behind Brodie Grundy.

"We're aware that he's exploring his options," Buckley said.