Melbourne great David Schwarz says it is time to trade Jesse Hogan to maximise his value as the Demons prepare to meet the forward to clarify his future.

But the Melbourne best-and-fairest winner has urged his old club not to bring in Gold Coast’s Steven May, worried about his lack of conditioning and his willingness to leave the Suns as a co-captain. Schwarz was confident the Demons could fix their defensive frailties when Jake Lever returned from a knee reconstruction next year.

May has reportedly told his management he would consider a trade to Melbourne if the Demons were open to a deal.

They are expected to meet Hogan today, but his unwillingness to extend his contract past 2019 could force their hand to broker a trade with Fremantle.

Play Video Peter Bell has accepted the general manager of football operations position at Fremantle. The West Australian Video Peter Bell has accepted the general manager of football operations position at Fremantle.

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The Dockers have not discussed terms to get Hogan, but he could name his price on a five or six-year-deal worth more than $1 million a season.

“For Melbourne the comfort we have is we have a kid named Sam Weideman and a forward named Tom McDonald and we would also get a bloody good price for Hogan,” Schwarz said.

“If Bryce Gibbs commanded two first-round picks and we paid two first-round picks for Jake Lever, Jesse Hogan is worth two first-round picks or a first-round pick and Andrew Brayshaw.”