Sought-after Melbourne free agent James Frawley has spent the weekend in Perth meeting the Dockers, who are understood to have made a significant and long-term offer for the defender.
Frawley is understood to have met coach Ross Lyon and Fremantle officials at the weekend after the Dockers were eliminated from the finals in the loss to Port Adelaide.
Fremantle is believed to have made an offer of more than five years and possibly as many as seven years. Frawley has already met at length with Geelong coach Chris Scott and received an offer from the Cats for the versatile key defender-forward which is believed to be more than $500,000 a year for five years.
Gold Coast has also expressed interest in Frawley and made an offer, while Hawthorn had initial interest but it is understoodthat has waned.
Frawley is poised to make a decision on his next club and has not ruled out remaining at the Demons, though a move now looks likely. A long-term deal on significant money would mean Melbourne would be likely to get a compensation pick after their first draft pick should Frawley depart, meaning Melbourne would have picks two and three in the draft.
The Dockers are interested in Frawley being able to play a Luke McPharlin-type role in defence or forward and Lyon signalled after the semi-final loss at the weekend that the club would be active in the trade and free agency periods to bolster the squad, warning the Dockers were not likely to slide.
Geelong also admitted after its finals series was over that it harboured significant interest in Frawley.
"We have a very clear list management strategy and that involves exploring free agency," coach Chris Scott said on radio last week.
