EASTERN states AFL clubs have instigated strict border control policies as they move to stop a possible exodus of expatriate WA stars at the end of the 2015 season.

All-Australian defender Alex Rance is the latest big man target in Fremantle’s now annual assault to win a ready-made key position replacement for veteran superstars Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin.

Rance, out of contract with Richmond at the end of the season, continues to delay talks on a new deal, leaving the full-back open to approaches from Dockers management to consider a move back to his home state after six seasons and 107 games at the Tigers.

Rance, 25, is tipped to stay with the rising Tigers with a new three to four-year deal early into the new playing season, but a delay in talks has fuelled prospects that he could leave.

One eastern states club is understood to have declared their intentions to keep a leash on their WA-bred stars as a “border protection” plan.

Gold Coast is most vulnerable to raids with such a band of WA expatriate draftees.

Jaeger O’Meara, Harley Bennell, David Swallow, Brandon Matera and Jack Martin at the Suns as well as Stephen Coniglio with Greater Western Sydney are all expected to be headhunted to return home.

Versatile Essendon duo Cale Hooker and Tayte Pears are others on the radar for tempting lures to return west along with Brisbane midfielder Daniel Rich and Hawthorn’s Bradley Hill.

North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow is another potential target when he becomes a free agent alongside brother David if they can be lured home together.

One football operations boss said contracts would not be a barrier after last season.

“You don’t worry about contracts, they mean nothing anymore,” he said.

That was evidenced at last year’s unsavoury trade period when a host of players still in contract switched clubs.

Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffin quitting for Greater Western Sydney, first-year top draft pick Tom Boyd leaving the Giants while still in contract and Collingwood hero Dayne Beams heading to Brisbane were just some of the moves at the height of an ugly trade period.

Perennial strugglers the Bulldogs also lost Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney to Essendon still with time to serve on a deal.