WESTERN Bulldogs youngster Brad Lynch is set to knock back significant interest from rival clubs and sign a new deal to remain at Whitten Oval.
AFL.com.au understands the West Australian, who has been on the club's rookie list for three years, is poised to sign off on a likely two-year contract following an impressive 2018 campaign that saw him play nine games while averaging 12 disposals in a defensive playmaker role.
North Melbourne is believed to be one of several clubs that have enquired about Lynch, who is currently on holiday in the United States with teammate and housemate Josh Schache.
The Mandurah product is very happy and settled in Melbourne and is a very popular member of the playing group.
The 21-year-old possesses deadly foot skills on both sides of his body and a sharp turn of pace, but his progress at the Dogs has been hampered by several hamstring injuries over the past two seasons.
Lynch had a career-best 23 possessions in the round 16 loss to Hawthorn, while he nearly secured the Dogs a major upset in the final round of the home and away season against Richmond, but his long shot on goal in the dying seconds hit the post in the three-point loss.
With Lynch's future all but assured, it only leaves free agents Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis and Jordan Roughead, midfielder Mitch Honeychurch and ruckman Tom Campbell as Bulldogs without deals for 2019.
Father-son recruits Liberatore and Wallis are expected to re-sign in the near future, but Roughead is likely to follow premiership teammate Luke Dahlhaus and find a new club via free agency, with West Coast a possible new home.
Honeychurch, who has played just 35 games in five seasons at the club, has met with Gold Coast about a possible move, but the 23-year-old could also remain at the Dogs if there's a spot for him following further list management decisions.
Former rookie Campbell is expected to be traded or delisted after registering only 42 games in seven seasons at the club.