Melbourne free agent James Frawley travels to Perth to visit Fremantle’s headquarters

FREMANTLE could gazump Geelong in the race for Melbourne free agent James Frawley after he visited the Dockers’ training base over the weekend.

Melbourne v Greater Western Sydney at the M.C.G, Melbourne Australia. 17th August 2014. Melbourne's James Frawley Pic :George Salpigtidis.

FREMANTLE has made a pitch to secure Melbourne free agent James Frawley during the full-back’s trip to Perth at the weekend.

The 2010 All-Australian is believed to have met Dockers chiefs and inspected the club’s facilities shortly before the club’s semi-final loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday.

It was thought Geelong led the chase for Frawley after offering him a five-year deal worth about $500,000 a season. Hawthorn and Gold Coast are also interested.

But it is understood the Dockers are trying to blow ­rivals out of the race for the ­defender with a lucrative seven-year deal.

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Frawley, who turns 26 on Saturday, would be an ideal ­replacement for veteran ­Luke McPharlin, who is tipped to ­retire.

Frawley’s manager, Alex McDonald, and Dockers officials would not comment on the backman’s visit when quizzed on Sunday night.

Melbourne has all but ­accepted Frawley will leave the club, where he failed to play a final in eight seasons.

The Demons are expected to receive pick No.3 in free agency compensation.

The out-of-contract defender has not told Melbourne of his intentions next season.

Freo coach Ross Lyon said after the preliminary final loss to the Power the club would be active in the free agency ­market when it ­begins on ­October 3.

He was optimistic the team was well placed to contend again next season.

“There’s plenty of mechanisms to attract talent,” Lyon said. “We’ll draft, we’ll look at free agency, we’ll trade and we’ll improve.

“You get a couple through the door, you shoot the eyes out of your drafting, you trade a couple through and you get a couple of really bona fide free agents. It’s a pretty exciting time, so I think we’re in really good shape.”

Melbourne has made clear its interest in trading its Frawley free agency compensation pick for a quality senior player, preferably to beef up its midfield. Demons coach Paul Roos is a fan of Greater Western Sydney pair Dylan Shiel and Adam Treloar but the midfield duo are contracted at the ­Giants next season.

Out-of-contract Melbourne wingman Sam Blease is searching for a new home, while GWS big man Kristian Jaksch has requested a trade and has met St Kilda and Carlton chiefs. He is also set to meet Western Bulldogs.

Giants midfielder Jono O’Rourke, the No.2 draft pick in 2012, is also considering his future.

Originally published as Melbourne free agent James Frawley travels to Perth to visit Fremantle’s headquarters