Star Docker expected to request trade to rival

Trade rumours tying Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson with a return to his former club Melbourne have persisted, with the ex-Demon now expected to request a trade back to Victoria.

Jackson, who moved from the Demons to the Dockers at the end of 2022, is contracted with the Western Australian club for the next four years.

Rumours surfaced in the pre-season that the 23-year-old could be considering a switch back to Victoria, with the Demons viewed as the front-runner for his services.

Speaking on Monday, Jackson's former captain and ruck partner Max Gawn hinted the young star could still be looking at a move east.

"There's so many people who got a trade to WA and then come back...," Gawn told Triple M.

"Not mentioning one that could be coming back soon."

Speaking on Jackson's future earlier this week, 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary listed Melbourne as the likely suitor for Jackson if he were to seek a move back to Victoria.

It is understood that the Demons would also be confident in attaining Jackson's services if a request to depart the Dockers was lodged.

"Melbourne is the obvious [suitor] given the partnership he had with Max Gawn," Cleary told The Agenda Setters. 

"The Demons feel if he is to come back, it would only be the Melbourne footy club, where he would reunite with Max Gawn.

"He's got four years let on his deal at the Dockers, he's in the process of changing managers.

"Luke Jackson, a big watch this space."

The West Australian has since reported that Jackson is now expected to request a trade to Melbourne at season's end, stating the Dockers star "wants to leave the Dockers".

The publication's report suggests there have been "significant off-field issues" for Jackson, who has addressed these issues with the club and his management.

Jackson, a premiership player with Melbourne, has played 104 career games in his time in the AFL, having managed an even split of 52 games with both clubs.

The Fremantle ruckman has been a shining light for Justin Longmuir in 2025, enjoying a career-best run to start the season as a standalone ruck option for the Dockers.

Since the return of partner-in-crime Sean Darcy, Jackson has mostly resided in attack as a secondary ruck piece. With Darcy dealing with a fresh knee concern, the Dockers could again rely on Jackson as their sole ruckman.