ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: James Jordon, Toby Bedford and Tom Sparrow of the Demons warm up during the 2022 AFL Round 04 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Melbourne Demons at Adelaide Oval on April 07, 2022 In Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Out-of-contract Melbourne forward Toby Bedford is understood to have gained the attention of three rival clubs this off-season, while a deal from the Demons has reportedly been tabled.

Bedford fluctuated in and out of Simon Goodwin's side throughout the course of this season, playing 16 games in 2022, however, half of those appearances came as an unused medical sub.

The 22-year-old was named as the sub on a further two occasions and was brought into the game, leaving him with just seven full-match performances.

The Demons small forward managed to boot nine goals this year, with his opportunities limited given in his place toward the back of the pecking order behind premiership goalsneaks in Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Spargo.

The 18-gamer's situation has seemingly piqued interest from clubs keen to sharpen their spears for 2023, with SEN's Sam Edmund reporting North Melbourne, Essendon and GWS have Bedford on their radar.

Melbourne has tabled a deal to Bedford, who looks to have put talks on hold given the club's VFL side is yet to see their season conclude amid a premiership push.

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Casey will face Southport on Sunday to decide the second-tier season, with Bedford playing a key role for the Demons to boot 12 goals from his 10 appearances in 2022.

Melbourne will be hopeful of Bedford re-signing in the red and blue for 2023 and beyond, with the aforementioned Pickett having been linked to a potential return to South Australia as Port Adelaide circle.

Pickett's contract is set to expire at the end of next season, with little to suggest the premiership Demon could exit the club for Alberton this off-season.

The Bombers have shown a desire to add to their small forward stocks since losing Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti to retirement, having been linked to Sun Izak Rankine and Roo Cameron Zurhaar.

The Giants look to have joined them in the market, with the NSW side seemingly set to lose Bobby Hill to Collingwood in next month's trade period.

Bedford joined Melbourne through the 2018 National Draft and was not used at AFL level in 2019 or 2021.