Alex Neal-Bullen celebrates a goal during the R22 match between Melbourne and Port Adelaide at the MCG on August 10, 2024. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

MELBOURNE premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen has officially nominated Adelaide as his preferred destination after putting in a trade request two weeks ago.

The 28-year-old, who played 176 games for the Demons over 10 seasons, is keen to return to South Australia for family reasons.

AFL.com.au's trade and draft expert Cal Twomey wrote on X that the Crows had long been been frontrunners for Neal-Bullen.

"Since day one, I've felt the love from the footy club, so to make the decision to head home is an incredibly hard one," Neal-Bullen said at the time of his trade request.

"It's something that I thought long and hard about, and had some really open and honest conversations with my wife, Georgie, about where our best future lies.

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"The decision became clear that I need to put my family first, and move our family back to South Australia.

"For the club to allow me to do the best thing for my family, I can't thank them enough.

Alex Neal-Bullen celebrates a goal during Melbourne's clash against the Western Bulldogs in round one, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

"They've embraced me as an individual, and they've allowed me to grow into the footballer, but also the now father, that I am.

"I'm forever grateful that I've been able to play for this great club and still have two more games that I want to pour everything into, to make sure we finish the year off really strongly."

The Crows are also in the hunt for Greater Western Sydney's Isaac Cumming and Gold Coast's Jack Lukosius.