FREMANTLE would feel "disappointment" for the second year running if Geelong star Tim Kelly again decides it's West Coast or bust in his expected bid to return home to Western Australia.
Kelly, 25, is yet to request a trade but in the event that he does, the Dockers want to ensure the South Fremantle product views them as a "viable option", Freo football boss Peter Bell said.
Bell hoped "significant change" at the club, including a change of coaches from Ross Lyon to the newly appointed Justin Longmuir, would improve the Dockers' position.
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The Cats remain hopeful of retaining the All Australian midfielder, who is expected to make his intentions known after Geelong's best and fairest count on Thursday night.
Kelly was unsuccessful in securing a trade to West Coast last year after the Eagles' offer failed to satisfy Geelong.
Asked how he felt that Kelly might again only consider moving to West Coast when Fremantle could offer more in a trade, Bell said the new regime could work in the Dockers' favour.
"There's a disappointment with that, and the reasons Tim has for that are his own. But what has happened in the past and whatever those reasons are for Tim, all that we can say is that there's been significant change at our football club, we think with that comes some fresh ideas and excitement and hopefully he sees that as well," Bell told Telstra AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday.
"By no means are we giving up on the race for Tim Kelly. It's up to us to get in there and pitch as hard as we possibly can.
"It's very complicated, isn't it, because Geelong have invested a lot into Tim and the family, they were the ones who took the risk, he's clearly very happy on-field …
"Some say that potentially we have more collateral than what West Coast have, but … it could get complicated."
Meanwhile, Bell revealed the Dockers were "empathetic" to the situation of star wingman Brad Hill, who wants to be traded to St Kilda with two years remaining on his contract because his partner is homesick.
Discussions between the clubs had been positive, Bell said, but the onus was on the Saints to devise a fair deal for a player whose running ability is "unparalleled" in the competition.
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Fellow runner Ed Langdon is also considering a move to Victoria, his home state, after failing to sign a contract tabled early this year by the Dockers.
Bell said Langdon was yet to formally request a trade, although there had been "some indications" he wanted to return to Melbourne.
Ed Langdon looks likely to return to his home state of Victoria. Picture: AFL Photos
