Star ruckman Luke Jackson has been embroiled in persistent trade speculation that he may want to return to where his AFL career started.
Jackson was drafted by Melbourne and was a significant factor in the club ending its 57-year premiership drought in 2021.
Hailing from Western Australia, there was always a pull back home, and fortunately for the 2021 Rising Star, clubs were willing to accommodate.
Fremantle secured the deal for Jackson ahead of the 2023 campaign, but in recent months, reports have indicated that a "fresh" start could be on the agenda.
And the Demons are more than willing to facilitate that.
If Jackson were to head back to Melbourne, he wouldn't be the first player to do so in the competition, with over 20 names repurposing the phrase 'back to the future'.
Hawthorn's Jack Gunston is the only player on the list who is still active, returning to Hawthorn after 12 months in Brisbane colours.
Gary Ablett Jr. was the marquee signing of Gold Coast when they entered the league in 2011, but a homecoming felt right when he donned the Geelong hoops again in 2018.
Ruckman Carl Ditterich couldn't decide between St Kilda and Melbourne, bouncing between the two clubs on three occasions between 1963 and 1980.
Ironically, Fremantle features the most in this list, with the club involved in seven players' careers, whether it be the home base or merely someone just passing through.
GWS and West Coast are yet to feature in the illustrious list.
Player | Original Club | Secondary Club |
Aaron Lord | Geelong | Hawthorn |
Adam McPhee | Essendon | Fremantle |
Brad Wira | Fremantle | |
Brett Montgomery | Western Bulldogs | Port Adelaide |
Carl Ditterich* | St Kilda | Melbourne |
Chris Heffernan | Essendon | Melbourne |
Chris Tarrant | Collingwood | Fremantle |
Corey McKernan | North Melbourne | Carlton |
Daniel Pratt | North Melbourne | Brisbane |
David Cloke | Richmond | Collingwood |
Dayne Beams | Collingwood | Brisbane |
Eddie Betts | Carlton | Adelaide |
Gary Ablett Jr. | Geelong | Gold Coast |
Heath Black | Fremantle | St Kilda |
Jack Gunston | Hawthorn | Brisbane |
John Barnes | Essendon | Geelong |
Josh Carr | Port Adelaide | Fremantle |
Justin Murphy | Carlton | Geelong |
Nathan Krakouer | Port Adelaide | Gold Coast |
Paul Salmon | Essendon | Hawthorn |
Peter Bell | Fremantle | North Melbourne |
Trent Croad | Hawthorn | Fremantle |
Wawrick Capper | Sydney | Brisbane Bears |
Zac Smith | Gold Coast | Geelong |
*Played for both listed clubs twice.