Gold Coast has identified forgotten Fremantle midfielder Stephen Hill as a target in 2019โ€™s free agency period, reports The Ageโ€™s Peter Ryan.

The interest comes as Hill prepares for a return to the Dockersโ€™ senior team against Port Adelaide in Round 13.

Out of contract at the end of 2019, the 28-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the off-season.

Stephen, older brother to in-form star Brad, hasnโ€™t been sighted at AFL level since Round 20 last season after injuring his quad.

2018 marked a career-low in goals and games played for Hill, managing just three majors from 13 games.

Meanwhile, 18.4 disposals per game were the 28-year-oldโ€™s fewest since 2012.

The Suns have signalled their intent to add mature-age quality as the club currently sits at 17th on the AFL ladder, in the midst of an eight-game losing streak.

However, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has no plans of parting with the Ross Glendinning Medallist, labelling Hill as one of his favourite players.

โ€œWe all have our favourites as a coach,โ€ Lyon said when discussing Hillโ€™s return on Thursday.

โ€œI said to Brad Hill and โ€˜Sonnyโ€™ (Michael Walters) he is my third favourite behind those two.โ€

Fremantle find themselves in ninth on the ladder, with the potential for return to the top eight with a win over the Power in Hillโ€™s return game.