Fremantle pull out of potential trade for Melbourne star Jesse Hogan

FREMANTLE has dropped its pursuit of star forward Jesse Hogan due to Melbourne’s trade demands and now the Demons are preparing to welcome him back with open arms.

Will Jesse Hogan stay at Melbourne? Picture: Getty

MELBOURNE say they are looking forward to what Jesse Hogan can produce for the club in 2019 after Fremantle pulled the pin on a potential trade this afternoon.

The Dockers stunned the football world today by declaring it couldn’t meet the Demons’ trade demands for the star key forward.

It is believed Melbourne’s asking price was two first-round draft picks for the goal kicker.

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The Demons are now preparing to welcome Hogan back to the club.

“At the end of the season, Jesse expressed his interest to explore other opportunities, and to return to Perth and play for Fremantle. We believe our offer was reasonable given Jesse’s record as a 71-game player,” Melbourne football boss Josh Mahoney said.

“Jesse has been with us since he was 17 and has gone through some well-documented personal issues, particularly in the last two years, so we were comfortable to support his request.

Will Jesse Hogan stay at Melbourne? Picture: Getty

“It was made clear to Jesse that if we were unable to complete an appropriate deal for both clubs, he will remain a Melbourne player.

“Both us, and Jesse, were happy with this.

“Jesse was a dominant player, prior to his foot injury late in the year.

“We look forward to him continuing his rehab and performing again for us next year.”

Hogan had completed and passed a medical examination with the Dockers after touring the club’s facilities last week.

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Fremantle have long been courting the star forward but have withdrawn from the chase after newly appointed football manager Peter Bell said the Dockers would not be able to meet Melbourne’s asking price.

“We have been undertaking a due diligence process as part of a possible trade to secure Jesse Hogan,” Bell said.

“As part of that process, we have had discussions with Jesse, the player’s management and Melbourne.

Jesse Hogan in action. Picture: Michael Klein

“While discussions were proceeding it became clear that what Melbourne would be seeking for a trade would not be possible for our club to meet.

“As such, we have informed Melbourne and Jesse’s management that we will not be continuing further with the due diligence process.”

Fremantle had flipped draft picks with Port Adelaide, sending the Power pick No.6 for picks 11, 23, 30 and 39.

They are expected to offer GWS pick No.23 for Rory Lobb, although the Giants are believed to want a late first-round pick.

It is yet to be seen what the Hogan decision means for Lachie Neale’s bid to get to Brisbane.

It had been expected the Dockers would need to offload Neale to get Hogan. The Lions were understood to be offering pick No.5 in the draft for Neale.