Could Geelong play hard ball and force youngster Jordan Clark to see out his contract – like they did with Tim Kelly back in 2019?

Former top AFL recruiter Stephen Silvagni believes so.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Silvagni said the Cats held “all the power” for any deal for Clark – who, like Kelly, reportedly wants to head home to WA.

According to the Herald Sun, Fremantle have already knocked back Geelong’s extraordinary request for their prized pick 8 in exchange for Clark.

But the Dockers’ counter offer of pick 27 did not get the deal done.

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Given the 20-year-old former pick 15 still has a year to run on his Cats’ deal, Silvagni warned the youngster could remain at the Cattery for season 2022.

“He wants to go home but whilst you’re under contract, they’re sitting back going: ‘We’re happy to release him, but we want to be compensated this way’,” Silvagni said.

“More likely than not, he ends up staying.

“They don’t have to take a hit, he’s contracted.

“Geelong will let him go if they get the right pick, otherwise serve out your contract for one more year.”

The Cats famously held firm on homesick Kelly at the end of 2018, when the South Fremantle product requested a trade home to West Coast.

Kelly then played out the final year of his contract with Geelong before securing the blockbuster trade at the end of 2019, with West Coast forking out picks 14, 24, 37 and a future first round selection.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir met with Clark last month and said the youngster fit the club’s trade target.

“He is clearly someone we’re interested in,” he said on ABC’s Sports Talk.

“He fits our age demographic and he fits our need.

“We feel we could offer him more opportunity than he’s been getting at Geelong, the opportunity to come home and be around family and friends.”

Fremantle currently hold just two picks in the upcoming draft — 8 and 27. But a deal for Adam Cerra to Carlton is all but certain to be done, bolstering the Dockers’ trade hand.