MELBOURNE is still waiting on a decision from forward Jesse Hogan, saying it will prioritise his future before focusing its attentions on Gold Coast defender Steven May.
The Demons arrived at Marvel Stadium ahead of the NAB AFL Trade Period prepared to speak with Fremantle on a potential trade, but having not yet heard from Hogan.
Despite being under contract, the 23-year-old is weighing up whether to return home to his native Western Australia this month, having toured Fremantle's facilities last week.
Should he ultimately elect to request a trade, Melbourne footy boss Josh Mahoney suggested the club would be prepared to enter negotiations with Fremantle.
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"He's got to make up his mind whether he wants to leave," Mahoney said.
"We have to speak to Fremantle and see if there's a deal that we'd look at. At this stage, we haven't heard anything, so we'd expect Jesse to play with us.
"That could change during this week, but that's what trade period is all about. We'll have those discussions early this week."
Fremantle currently holds pick five at the NAB AFL Draft, but could also receive pick four from Brisbane should a deal for midfielder Lachie Neale be completed in the next fortnight.
One, or potentially both of those picks could be shifted to Melbourne in a deal for Hogan, enabling the Demons to perhaps then enter negotiations with the Suns for May.
However, according to Mahoney, a decision from Hogan is first on the club's agenda.
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"There's a few things that will have to happen for us at the moment," Mahoney said.
"The first priority is Jesse's decision. Then after that Steven May has got a decision to make as well around Gold Coast. There are a few things that need to play out.
"Today is the start of the trade period and we'll have a lot of those conversations today."
