PORT Adelaide is among a number of clubs circling out-of-contract West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett.

AFL.com.au understands the Power, who have chased ruckmen in recent trade periods, have Lycett on the radar to bolster their big-man department.

Lycett's two-year contract expires at the end of 2014, with the 21-year-old yet to cement his place in the Eagles' line-up as he battles for a spot alongside star pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

Rookie Eagles ruckman Callum Sinclair has provided stiff competition with Lycett for a position in the team.

Lycett has played the past two games for the Eagles – for a tally of 15 in his career – but Cox is expected to return from a rest this weekend to face Fremantle.

Cox's plans beyond 2014 could shape Lycett's decision.

Last week the champion ruckman was adamant he would see out the remainder of the season before making a call on his future.

Lycett is from South Australia, having been recruited from the Port Adelaide Magpies as a second-round pick in 2010, and he would lessen the reliance the Power has on the much-improved Matthew Lobbe.

The ladder-leader's ruck stocks are slim given the injury-prone history of back-ups Jarrad Redden and Brent Renouf, leaving Lobbe to shoulder the load.

At times this season they have had to call on key-position players Jackson Trengove and Justin Westhoff to help.

Michael Apeness caught Port's interest last year in the draft but Fremantle picked him before the Power's first selection.

After four years in the system, Lycett represents the new phase of list management around rucks, with some clubs reluctant to use high draft picks on them and instead waiting until they have matured.

Twitter: @AFL_CalTwomey

