While Jack Watts has been encouraged to explore his options, Melbourne insist Jesse Hogan is a required player next season.

Ahead of what shapes as a busy trade period, there has been speculation Fremantle will again seek to lure Hogan home to Perth.

Hogan, 22, signed a two-year contract extension in October last year, tying him to the Demons until the end of 2019.

However, this has not stopped industry chat that the star forward, having endured an emotional year which included his own cancer diagnosis and the death of his father, Tony, in April, would entertain an offer to join the Dockers.