Fremantle are reportedly growing "extremely confident" that they will be able to secure up-and-coming Melbourne star Luke Jackson in a blockbuster trade at season's end.
Originally from Perth, Jackson has developed into arguably the most exciting young talent in the game since being drafted by the Demons with Pick 3 at the 2019 AFL Draft.
Any potential trade would likely be complex, given that while Jackson is out of contract, he is still just 21 and not a free agent. Added to that is the fact that he would likely command a lucrative long-term deal to move.
As speculation has mounted all season, the ruck-forward has reportedly been torn about whether to return to Perth for a mega-deal or stay at the club that drafted him to build on last season's success.
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Speaking on Fox Footy following Thursday night's game between Melbourne and Geelong, journalist Jon Ralph reported that Jackson has told friends he wants to play for the Dockers, although has not yet fully committed to a move.
“At Melbourne the feeling is the club is losing hope they’re losing their superstar unicorn, as Kingy called him, Luke Jackson,” Ralph said.
“Fremantle is extremely confident he’ll get to the club. My understanding is he’s told some friends 'I would like to be at Fremantle'.
“Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert tells me today the club has told Jackson and their fellow free agent Angus Brayshaw there’s no ultimatum, there’s certainly no timeline we’re pushing you on," he said.
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“He said 'we made it clear to Jacko and Gus Brayshaw we’ll work with your managers, there’s no date or no hurry. No-one is putting pressure on them. We’d love to think this is the club they’d like to be at.'
“If Jackson does leave it creates real cap space, Max Gawn is contracted until 2025. There is still some hope at Melbourne (he stays) but I think it’s a glimmer of hope right now.”
With Jackson's freakish ability also comes incredible potential, which heavily favours Melbourne's hand at the trade table. The former first-round selection is not a free agent and it will take a war chest to land him.
Should Jackson nominate the Dockers, they will need to be busy at the trade table. They currently hold just Picks 15, 72 and 87, which would be unlikely to satisfy the Demons.
This year's trade period is already shaping up as an extremely action-packed window.