Reports surfaced yesterday of the former North Ballarat Rebel’s desire to be traded from the Eagles, where he still has a year to run on his contract.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to St Kilda, with Saints youngster Jamie Cripps potentially offered in a deal.

Cripps, from Western Australia, has told the Saints he wishes to return home and has nominated the Eagles as his club of choice.

“We can’t get into specifics, (Brown’s) still a contracted player at West Coast.

“There is a lot of water to go under that bridge,” St Kilda list manager Ameet Bains told AFL.com.au

“They’re keen to keep Mitch.

“He is a contracted player and we understand that so depending on what happens with Jamie Cripps we will continue to talk in the next couple of days.

“It has been well-documented through Scott (Watters) and Chris’ (Pelchen) discussions on behalf of the club this year that we need another big key back so it would be terrific.”

West Coast is in negotiations for Collingwood premiership player Sharrod Wellingham, but a move to the Magpies, alongside brother Nathan, appears unlikely. 

Brown has struggled to secure a regular senior spot in the Eagles’ defence, playing just eight games throughout 2012.

After being taken with pick number 16 in the 2006 draft, Brown has only managed 51 games in an injury-plagued career.

He was presented with the Chris Mainwaring Award as the Eagles’ best clubman last week.

tim.oconnor@thecourier.com.au

AFL trade week highlights page 37