It's understood Clarke has told Fremantle he would prefer to stay at the Dockers, even though he has struggled to cement his spot in Ross Lyon's side in recent years, but the Eagles are considering making a move for the Victorian.

The Eagles' attempts to solve their ruck problems has them looking at Clarke, an unrestricted free agent after 101 games in eight years at the Dockers.

Despite veteran Aaron Sandilands missing most of the season with broken ribs, Clarke played just 13 games this year, struggling to cement his spot in Ross Lyon's side, and had several stints playing for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.

The Eagles are looking at several options to help address their ruck issues in 2017. With Nic Naitanui having undergone a knee reconstruction late this season, and fellow big man Scott Lycett also facing a delayed start to his pre-season, West Coast's ruck stocks are stretched with journeyman Jonathan Giles the club's only other established tall.

The Eagles and Dockers both looked at luring emerging West Australian big man Rory Lobb from Greater Western Sydney, but Lobb snuffed out those hopes when he re-signed with the Giants last week.

West Coast have also been considering recruiting veteran Drew Petrie, who played his 316th and last game for North Melbourne last month after being denied a new contract for next season.

Petrie turns 34 next week, and played with Eagles coach Adam Simpson and newly-appointed West Coast list manager Brady Rawlings at North.

Another out-of-contract big man is injury-prone Geelong tall Nathan Vardy, who is open to leaving the the Cats to pursue further opportunities. Vardy has been linked to the Eagles and Port Adelaide.

The Power themselves could lose ruckman Matthew Lobbe, who is looking to leave the club despite having three years to run on his contract. Lobbe was in and out of Port's senior side during an injury-affected 2016, with his opportunities likely to diminish further next year with the return of Paddy Ryder from his drugs suspension.

Clarke isn't the only Docker linked with a move to cross-town rivals West Coast. Goal-sneak Hayden Ballantyne has sought a move to the Eagles despite being under contract. Trades between the WA clubs have been exceptionally rare, with the last deal occurring in 2000 when Daniel Metropolis and Greg Harding swapped places.

Plenty of change is expected at the Dockers, with Chris Mayne set to leave as a free agent and Michael Barlow possibly on his way to Gold Coast.

The Dockers will probably land wantaway pair Cameron McCarthy from GWS and Brad Hill from Hawthorn, and have also been connected to Geelong forward Shane Kersten, who is from WA and out-of-contract.