Contracted Melbourne utility Adam Tomlinson has been flagged as a "man up for grabs" come the 2023 trade window, with the Demons reportedly dropping their versatile tall for this week's clash with Geelong.
Tomlinson, who worked himself back to peak fitness after an ACL injury ended his 2021 campaign abruptly, has been a shining light for the Demons since his return to Simon Goodwin's side in Round 12.
Playing as a key defender, Tomlinson was impressive in the club's win over Carlton before backing up that performance with an equally strong outing against Collingwood in the King's Birthday clash.
The 29-year-old had been brought back into the side for the first time since Round 5 following an injury to swingman Harrison Petty, with Tomlinson seemingly taking his latest opportunity at senior level with both hands.
However, Petty's availability for Thursday's clash with Geelong has reportedly led to Tomlinson being demoted following Melbourne's match committee for Round 15, according to 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary.
The surprise selection call comes after Tomlinson, who is contracted until the end of next year, weighed up his future last off-season after struggling for opportunities under Goodwin.
Tomlinson managed just eight appearances last year - one of which as an unused medical sub - before assessing the open market with two years to go on his contract.
The former Giant has been touted as "one to watch" again this year, given his place in Melbourne'specking order and the current demand for key-position defenders.
"He's a man up for grabs this year, just like he was at the end of last year," Cleary told the Tradies Podcast. "He has one year remaining on his deal for 2024.
"... We're all talking this year about the star centre-half-backs. Tom Doedee, (Harry) Himmelberg, Esava Ratugolea's value was rising rapidly before that hamstring injury.
"With one year left on his deal around $500,000-600,000 a season because he signed on good money when he moved from the Giants to the Dees, I think there's a market out there for a player like Adam Tomlinson.
"He played well on the King's Birthday, has more than held his own in some big games this year. It just doesn't feel like (Melbourne) are willing to have him in the team when you've got Petty, May and Lever.
"And now with news that he's been dropped this week, you'd think Petty goes back (to defence).
"... He's one to watch, he was up for grabs last year. At that stage he had two years left on his contract. He turns 30 this year, so the age is a consideration, but he's been pretty fit and raring to go."
Tomlinson's teammate James Harmes has previously been flagged as another contracted Demon potentially available to rival clubs, with Harmes also having assessed his options in 2022 in meeting with Essendon.
Melbourne, who have enjoyed a strong year on the retention front, also have free agent James Jordon still unsigned for next year. Gold Coast and Essendon have been linked to the young Demons onballer.