REPORTS: Hogan deal to rival club as good as done

Melbourne's Jesse Hogan is arguably the best young forward in the competition and will almost certainly be a star of the future.

The 21-year-old won the 2015 Rising Star award and has booted 48 goals in 22 games for the Demons.

The 195cm key position forward will no doubt be heavily sought after when his current contract expires at the end of 2017 and Melbourne is set to have a tough battle on its hands to keep the forward.

However, according to sportingnews.com, the Demons have already lost their spearhead to Fremantle.

Sportingnews.com has reported that "an under the table agreement (between Fremantle and Hogan is) already as good as locked in".

Hogan, who grew up in Western Australia, may be tempted by the offer to return to his home state with a club that is further along in its chances of securing premiership glory than the struggling Demons. The youngster would also be the perfect replacement for Matthew Pavlich, who will most likely retire at the conclusion of this season.