The Demons are reportedly expressing an interest in off-contract Bulldogs swingman Josh Schache amid a busy trade and free agency window for Melbourne.
Simon Goodwin's squad has already bid farewell to Luke Jackson (Fremantle), Jayden Hunt (West Coast) and Toby Bedford (GWS) this off-season, while forward Sam Weideman is tipped to join Essendon before Wednesday's trade deadline.
The Demons are expected to secure Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy in a trade, however that piece of business may not be Melbourne's last deal of the week.
According to SEN'sย Sam Edmund, Schache could make a move to Gosch's Paddock, however a deal is no guarantee of landing.
โMelbourne is considering bringing in Josh Schache," Edmund revealed on SEN.
"They have some sort of an interest here.
"...Let's not put the cart in front of the horse and say it's definitely happening. If it was to happen you think it would be a Will Setterfield-type arrangement. They wouldn't have to give up a lot I would have thought."
Schache's position at the Bulldogs is set to slip for 2023, with Docker Rory Lobb likely to add to Luke Beveriudge's key-position stocks.
Should Lobb join Liam Jones as a Bulldogs acquisition, Schache's opportunities will be limited further, with young talls Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan set for greater exposure next season.
Schache was drafted to Brisbane as the second overall selection in 2015, seen as the best key forward in his class.
The 25-year-old managed just two seasons with the Lions before leaving for the Bulldogs, where he has since played 45 games in five years.
Schache managed seven appearances at AFL level in 2022, sharing his time as a forward, defender and supporting ruck option.
The South Australian-born tall booted 31 goals in the VFL this year, 14 of which came in his final two games of the season.
Currently unsigned for next season, Schache could join the Demons through delisted free agency next month should a deal between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne fail to arise before the 2022 Trade Period's deadline at 7:30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday.
