Melbourne captain Max Gawn has cheekily suggested star ruckman Luke Jackson could return to the Demons from Fremantle.
Jackson was first linked with a shock move back to Victoria by Mitch Cleary in March after speculation the West Australian could be attainable as his new partner Kelsey Browne was Victorian.
The 23-year-old left Melbourne to join the Dockers on a seven-year deal for the 2023 season, with his contract not expiring to the conclusion of the 2029 campaign.
Despite Fremantle being adamant their player was happy at the club and in WA, Demons skipper Gawn made a thinly-veiled reference to Jackson possibly rejoining Melbourne in the future.
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“WA is an unbelievable to place to be when you’re 18, 19, like it’s a great party and these Perth boys go back at 22 and all their mates have sort of grown up a bit,” Gawn said on Triple M.
“There’s so many people that got a trade back to WA and then came back, not mentioning one that potentially could be coming back soon ... let’s hope.”
With Demons gun Kosi Pickett heavily linked with a move to the Dockers, Jackson could head in the other direction if he were to seek a return to play under Simon Goodwin.
Fremantle currently has deep ruck stocks with Sean Darcy, Liam Reidy, Odin Jones and Aiden Riddle on their list aside from Jackson - although Darcy has had continual injury issues in recent times.
Melbourne is well-served with Gawn as their no.1 ruck, but the 33-year-old is in the twilight of his career and Jackson could be the perfect long-term replacement.