Hawthorn, which would prefer to retain Suckling, have an extremely tight salary cap and a limited capacity to pay the players who remain out of contract, with key position player Ryan Schoenmakers to be offered a new deal amid interest from Sydney and other clubs.

The Hawks have yet to make a revised offer to Suckling, who had been a target of the Brisbane Lions. The Lions withdrew, in part because of a wish to secure better compensation for free agent Matthew Leuenberger, who is weighing up whether to join Essendon or Sydney.

Suckling missed Hawthorn's 2013 flag due to a knee reconstruction, but recovered and played in both the 2014 and 2015 premiership sides, starting as the sub in the latter side despite playing a crucial role in the preliminary final victory over Fremantle.

The Hawks have shown some interest in Carlton's Chris Yarran, but sources familiar with Yarran's situation said Yarran was "highly unlikely" to be traded to Hawthorn since he was all but committed to joining Richmond, subject to a trade being struck with the Blues.

Suckling, 27, would provide the Bulldogs with coverage for their older running defenders Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy, though the Hawk can also play on a wing. Suckling's major asset is his penetrating left boot.