Hawthorn's premiershipย star Jordan Lewis could still join the Demons this tradeย period.
Reports emerged on Thursday that Lewis, who is contracted for 2017, had beenย offered up for trade to free up more salary cap space for the incoming Jaeger O'Meara.
But the Hawks are said to have backflipped on the move after the Dees and Lewis were close to agreeing to a deal.
Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright refuted the claims on Friday, claiming Lewisย is a required player.
โHe was never put on the trade table, he had an open and honest conversation with Clarko a couple weeks ago about what his future would look like,โ Wright said.
โThis was about his future and what it would look like beyond next year. That conversation was had, Jordanโs management explored that there might be something else for him after next year if he happened to finish up.
โFrom that perspective it was brought to us on Tuesday night, we had a brief conversation with Melbourne on Wednesday and then with Jordan yesterday and as of yesterday afternoon we decided that we really didnโt want Jordan to go anywhere and heโs a required contracted player.
โAt this stage, absolutely (can guarantee Lewis will be at Hawthorn next year)."
However, the rumours refuse to go away, with AFL Trade radio's Damian Barrett reporting that Lewis is less than pleased with Hawthorn's position on his future.
As a result, Melbourne is still a chance of recruiting Lewis, despite Hawthorn's change of heart.
"Liam Pickering (Lewis' manager) was at Melbourne FC this morning meeting with the club talking about Jordan Lewis," Barrett told AFL Trade radio.
"Jordan Lewis is livid about what was put to him about playing elsewhere. He's knocked back huge offers in the past to stay together."
Meanwhile, FoxSports also saysย there is still a chance Lewis could leave the club, reporting that heย even called new Melbourneย coach Simon Goodwin on Thursday night to discuss his future.
The Demons are believed to have offered Lewis a two-year deal.
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