Contracted Docker Darcy Tucker is the latest Fremantle player understood to be gaining interest from the east coast, with Essendon among the clubs linked to the midfielder.
The 25-year-old, who is signed to the Cockburn club until the end of next year, has garnered reported interest from Victorian clubs in 2021 and seems to have more suitors keen on his services again this year.
Geelong were linked to Tucker last off-season in hope of luring the onballer back to regional Victoria, however no move arose and Tucker eventually re-signed on a two-year deal last October.
At the time Tucker would have seen himself as a key piece of Justin Longmuir's midfield planning, however the Horsham product has been limited to just 14 matches in 2022 given the recruitment and perhaps surprising dominance of Will Brodie.
Tucker was touted to be in line for increased minutes in the centre of the ground, having mostly plied his trade as a wingman or flanker across his first six seasons in purple. However, this season he has been kept to just an average centre bounce attendance rate of just seven per cent, having not featured in the middle since Round 9.
According to The Herald Sun, Victorian clubs do see Tucker as a formidable inside midfield option and have found an interest in his services this year.
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The publication's report suggests the Bombers are among the clubs with Tucker on their radar, however the Dons aren't seen as the front-runners.
Their interest does add to a building theme ahead of the 2022 sign and trade period, with Tucker just the latest Docker linked to a potential departure.
Fellow midfielder Blake Acres has been heavily linked to a return to Victoria, with Carlton among a handful of clubs believed to be moving for the ex-Saint.
Rory Lobb, who like Tucker is contracted beyond this year, is seen as a near guarantee to be playing for either the Western Bulldogs or Demons in 2023, while Griffin Logue's future is unclear as he is yet to recommit to the Dockers.
The list of uncertaitinies come amid Fremantle's strong interest in young Melbourne star Luke Jackson, with the Dockers looking to pry the 20-year-old back to his home state.
Jackson is uncontracted and seen to be a likely addition for the Dockers, who will be needing to set aside a rich space of their salary cap and hand over top draft selections to acquire the young ruck-forward.
His reportedly lucrative deal is what could spell the end for Acres, Logue and Lobb at Fremantle.
The Dockers have been busy in the signing space across the past few months, re-signing James Aish, Sam Switkowki, Heath Chapman, Hayden Young, Alex Pearce and Michael Frederick to new deals.
