• All the latest trade and free agency news
• Indicative draft order: Keep up to date with all the picks
• Who's hanging up the boots? Keep track of 2017's retirements and delistings
NATHAN Wilson's proposed move to Fremantle is starting to take shape with the Greater Western Sydney defender buying a house in Western Australia.
Wilson, who is contracted to the Giants until the end of next season, asked the Giants just days after their preliminary final loss to Richmond to facilitate a trade back to Western Australia so he can be closer to his family, with his first child due in February.
The Giants have agreed to work with Fremantle to get a deal done during this year's NAB AFL Trade Period, and are sympathetic to Wilson's request.
The 24-year-old is so confident that he'll become a Docker that he purchased a house in Perth last week, with the property close to Fremantle's training base in Cockburn, and just 30 minutes from Mandurah where his mother and extended family are living.
AFL.com.au understands Wilson had no intention of breaking his contract with the Giants, but when he found out he was going to be a father mid-season, he informed club officials of his wish to head home with partner Stevie so a bigger support network could surround the soon-to-be parents.
Wilson will add elite foot skills and speed to the Dockers' defence, but will also be great support for close friend Harley Bennell; with the pair maintaining the strong bond they formed as underage players in WA.
Coming off his best season in the competition in 2017 where he played 24 of a possible 25 games, Wilson was ranked second for total metres gained behind Richmond superstar Dustin Martin, averaging over 500 per match, and gave the Giants outstanding drive from the back half.
Wilson has played 77 matches in six seasons for the Giants after being pre-listed by the club as a 17-year-old in 2010, with 45 of those games coming over the past two years.
Want more trade news?
• Discarded Roo to plead for another shot
• Lever has chosen 'money over success': Tex
• Rocky takes the road to Port with FA offer
• Veteran Eagle's fate to be known in a fortnight
• Trade winds: Power up the stakes for Impey
