MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Bulldogs head coach Luke Beveridge speaks to Stewart Crameri during a Western Bulldogs AFL training session at Whitten Oval on April 13, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri is out of contract at season's end, and the Bulldogs may use the 29-year-old as trade bait in a bid to secure one of the game's best young players, according to the Herald Sun.

After playing at least 16 games per season between 2011-2015 and kicking at least 30 goals in each year, Crameri has played just two matches since then, and is coming to the end of his contract.

He missed the 2016 season due to the supplements saga during his time at Essendon, but only returned for the opening two rounds this year before a hip injury ended his season.

With his Bulldogs career at the crossroads, the club is yet to offer him a new deal, and may use him to help facilitate a trade, with the Dogs keen on Adelaide young gun Jake Lever.

The 21-year-old Crows defender is out of contract at season's end and is being courted by a number of clubs, with his asking price set to be in the range of $700,000-800,000 per season.

As well as Lever, the Dogs are also keen to hold on to forward Jack Redpath, who is reportedly being hunted by Carlton.

With several possible deals involving the Dogs this off-season, Crameri remains a player the club is yet to sign, given they'll be unsure about their salary cap restrictions.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke on Crameri's future way back in May, and despite saying the club was dedicated to the forward, they are still yet to secure his future.

“The club is definitely dedicated to Stewy, and we see his future at the moment beyond this year, but we need to work together towards the end of the year deadline to make sure that happens,” Beveridge told reporters.

The Dogs have re-signed a number of key players already this season, with premiership captain Easton Wood extending his contract, and defender Jason Johannisen signing a five-year extension last month.