Jesse Hogan fields fresh interest from West Coast, Fremantle but set to stay at Melbourne

MELBOURNE star Jesse Hogan looks set to rebuff fresh interest from West Coast and Fremantle despite them believing he could return home to Perth this year.

Jesse Hogan at Melbourne training. Picture: Michael Klein

JESSE Hogan looks set to rebuff fresh interest from West Coast and Fremantle despite them believing he could this year return home to Perth.

The Melbourne star has returned from a post-season trip to Bali and on Friday discussed his future with manager Jason Dover.

He emerged from that meeting adamant his future lies in Melbourne despite continued conjecture.

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Both clubs had believed he might again be gettable despite last year signing a contract through to 2019.

He will spend the next two weeks with family, hopeful that by the start of trade week both club and player are absolutely clear about his future.

He does not want to enter the trade period with uncertainty over his future given an already tough year.

Jesse Hogan is still being pursued by West Coast and Fremantle.

Some Melbourne insiders had feared he might request a trade home given the season, with the Eagles and Dockers aware of that uncertainty.

It in turn saw those Perth-based clubs asking about his availability, with Fremantle having cap space and a need for key forwards.

Hogan endured the season from hell as he mourned the loss of his father, endured testicular cancer and suffered a long list of injuries.

He only fought back from a collarbone in time for the last two weeks, then tore his hamstring in the Round 23 loss that saw Melbourne miss finals.

It would take something dramatic for his view to change that he will return to Melbourne next season and honour his contract.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin said last month the club would not trade him under any circumstances.

Melbourne star Jesse Hogan after injuring his hamstring in Round 23.

“Jesse is a Melbourne person, he signed to the club last year and he is absolutely committed to the footy club,” the Demons coach said.

“We’re committed to Jesse, he’s a quality person that we have invested a lot into. That’s just pure rumour.”

“He’s had some setbacks throughout the year and obviously a lot to deal with. He had a really strong pre-season, but I don’t think we can imagine what he has gone through for the year.

Meanwhile, Geelong will soon meet Jake Stringer to discuss a trade to the club as it accelerates its bid to revamp its forward line.

Stringer has told his management he will under no circumstances return to the Bulldogs and is expected to name a single destination.

Gary Ablett will meet his manager Liam Pickering in the next 48 hours before the formality of requesting a trade home.

Jake Stringer will not return to the Western Bulldogs.

Gary Ablett is expected to get back to Geelong.

Geelong must then find a way to satisfy Gold Coast with a player that the Suns believe will be a regular first-team player.

Mid-season that player looked likely to be Jake Kolodjashnij but he has signed up and looks to have a future at the Cats.

Gold Coast will likely lose mid-sized forward Brandon Matera to Fremantle, with Matt Shaw and Rory Thompson also up for grabs.

Matera’s manager Colin Young confirmed he had recently had a medical with Fremantle and seems on track for a new home.