WESTERN Bulldogs premiership hero Joel Hamling will make a decision by the end of the week on where he wants to play next year.

Hamling was a crucial part of the Bulldogs' drought-breaking flag almost a fortnight ago, playing the last nine games of the season, including all four finals, after struggling to earn senior selection in the first half of the year.

But the 23-year-old, who shut down Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin in the Dogs' famous win on Grand Final day, played just 12 games this season after managing 11 in 2015, and is no walk-up start in the Bulldogs' defence next year.

Given he's out of contract, Hamling is now weighing up an offer to return home to Western Australia to play with Fremantle.

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Hamling's manager Colin Young told NAB AFL Trade Radio that he'd spoken to (Bulldogs list manager) Jason McCartney about his client's future on Tuesday, and he's hopeful both parties will know where he sits by the end of the week.

"It's still a bit raw, he is a premiership player, he's still enjoying the flag, and he's still socializing with the boys that were in the 22," Young said.

"It's all been a bit rushed with the trade (period) coming so quickly after the premiership, but he certainly hasn't made a decision to leave.

"If he was playing with Fremantle, he's probably an absolute certainty to play every game.

"But there's no guarantee he's going to make the decision to go to Fremantle.

"When you become a premiership player, it certainly changes your thought process."

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Adding to the lure of the Dockers is the fact that Hamling's best mate, Geelong forward Shane Kersten, has already expressed his desire to return to Perth.

It means the young backman has plenty to think about, especially with the biggest game of his football life only fresh on his mind.

"Shane (Kersten) has made the decision to go, and he told me that Joel (Hamling) is definitely torn between the thought of going home and playing with him, and staying with the Bulldogs, who he won a flag with," Young said.

"It's a really tough decision for Joel to make, so hopefully in the next couple of days he'll have the time to make that decision."