Fremantle midfielder Brad Hill has shot down rumours he will sit down with the club this week to request a trade but it seems increasingly unlikely he will be at the Dockers next season.
Hill still has two more years to run on his contract and rumours were rife he would put in a formal trade request this week.
The three-time premiership Hawk insists that won’t be the case but he was coy when asked if he would stay at Fremantle next year.
Hill’s partner is from Melbourne and she is reportedly keen to move back.
“She’s obviously going to be a Melbourne girl at heart forever,” Hill told Perth radio station 6PR.
“She does miss it. Obviously all her friends and her family are over there.
“One day we want to start a family. And if she wants to be with her family, then she does, and that’s easy. But at the moment we are still having those discussions.”
Hill emphatically shot down talk he and his manager Colin Young would put in an official trade request to Fremantle this week.
“I had a coffee with Colin yesterday, and we’re definitely not going to be catching up with the club this week and saying that I’m requesting a trade,” Hill said.
St Kilda, Carlton and Hawthorn are among the clubs rumoured to be interested in Hill.
The 26-year-old won three flags at the Hawks, but has taken his game to an even greater level during his three years at the Dockers.
Hill is averaging a career-high 24.7 disposals per game this season, with his run and dash proving to be a critical part of Fremantle’s game plan.
His brother Stephen Hill is out of contract and could also leave the Dockers, with Gold Coast reportedly interested.
But coach Ross Lyon is optimistic out-of-contract Victorian Ed Langdon will stay.
Fremantle’s 34-point win over Geelong last week revived their finals hopes.
But they will need to beat St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Sunday if they are to stay within striking distance of eighth spot.