Luke Jackson's contract situation with the Demons will be of interest to Fremantle, with the Western Australian club potentially looking to lure the talented tall back to his home state at season's end.
The 20-year-old will come out of contract at the end of this season and is sure to be highly coveted by both the Dockers and fellow WA side West Coast.
Jackson has amassed a decorated career across just 30 matches with Melbourne, having played a pivotal role in their drought-breaking premiership run last year to also earn the 2021 Rising Star Award.
Having shown the capabilities to be a forward threat and formidable asset in the ruck, Jackson would be of high value to the Demons and any potentially interested suitor elsewhere.
Speaking on SEN, Fremantle football boss suggested that the Dockers will be keeping tabs on Jackson's situation throughout this year and that the player has most likely spoken to circles back home in Western Australia.
"David Walls (Fremantle list manager) handles all that sort of stuff," Bell said.
"I’m sure that he’s talking to the managers of most of the West Australian players around the AFL. Sometimes they’re longer conversations, sometimes you don’t even get to have a conversation just depending on individual circumstances."
Bell continued to praise the former No.3 pick, but did concede that he looks happy at the Demons.
"It’s not really my remit but Luke’s obviously a really talented player, he’s a premiership player, he looks very, very happy at Melbourne," he said.
"We’ll monitor that situation, and we’ll see how things progress over the year."
Former Fremantle players have urged the club to pursue Jackson in the past, with ex-midfielder Paul Hasleby calling on the Dockers to "throw everything" at the WA native.
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“If I’m Fremantle, I’m throwing everything at a key position player in Luke Jackson,” Hasleby said last August.
“I’d be prepared to give up my whole draft for Luke Jackson.
“He’s the only player I would sell the shop for. Midfielders, other players, not interested. We’ve got that covered. We haven’t had two key forwards in the history of our team.
“I would give my whole draft this year for Luke Jackson because he could be the difference.
“I think in two to three years he’ll be the marquee player of the competition.”
Jackson is set to begin his third season with Melbourne when the Demons begin their premiership defence against fellow 2021 grand finalists the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Wednesday, March 16.
