ADELAIDE and Fremantle have expressed interest in Hawthorn midfielder Xavier Ellis as both continue to circle this year's free agency crop.

 

Both clubs are set to lodge official offers at the start of the Gillette AFL Free Agency Period on Friday, the Crows to restricted Carlton free agent Eddie Betts and the Dockers to unrestricted Melbourne free agent Colin Sylvia.

 

AFL.com.au understands Adelaide and Fremantle have also made preliminary inquiries about Ellis, but the midfielder remains open to remaining at Hawthorn.

 

Ellis, 25, has endured a horror run with injury over the past three seasons, playing just 16 senior games, with a recurring calf injury limiting him to two games this season.

 

However, 2005's No. 3 draft pick continues to hold appeal for opposition clubs, which are mindful he has produced some of his best football on the finals stage.

 

Ellis was one of the Hawks' best players in their 2008 Grand Final triumph and had a solid finals series last year despite not playing his first senior game until round 20.

 

Ellis has played 86 games since making his debut in 2007.

 

With Lance Franklin's looming defection to the Sydney Swans and Brent Guerra's retirement, the Hawks now have just two other remaining free agents, Max Bailey and Michael Osborne.

 

Bailey is awaiting medical advice on his troublesome knees before making a decision on his future, while Osborne is likely to retire.