MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Jack Lonie of the Saints is congratulated by his teammates after kicking a goal during the round nine AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The Western Bulldogs are set to chase hard after St. Kilda small forward Jack Lonie in the upcoming trade period, reports Fox Sports. 

The Dogs’ lack of small forward stocks have been well documented in recent times, with the club drafting Cody Weightman last year and transitioning Mitch Wallis from the midfield to forward this year.

With the likes of Sam Lloyd and Tory Dickson in the twilight of their careers, targeting Lonie would be an ideal fit at the Whitten Oval.

It would also be an ideal fit for Lonie as former teammate Josh Bruce is at the club and is understood to have remained close with the key forward.

He also has a connection with Bulldogs’ CEO Ameet Bains, who was chief operating officer and list boss when Lonie arrived at the club at the end of 2014.

Lonie is out of contract at the end of the season, but the Bulldogs are not the only club that have expressed interest.

When he was out of contract in 2018, Lonie received offers from Carlton, Collingwood and Brisbane to leave the Saints before he recommitted at Moorabbin for a further two years.

Fox Sports reports that the Western Bulldogs missed out on making a play on Brisbane goalsneak Charlie Cameron, who recommitted to the Lions for a further five years a month ago.

Lonie has played nine of a possible 16 games for St. Kilda this year, including Thursday night’s loss to West Coast and in total.

He has played 72 games with a return of 63 goals across six seasons.

Fox Footy reports that St. Kilda will wait and see what the AFL’s plans are with list sizes before they offer Lonie a contract for 2021.