RUNNING defender Nathan Wilson has requested a trade from Greater Western Sydney to head back to Western Australia to be with family.

AFL.com.au understands the 24-year-old is likely to join Fremantle during the upcoming trade period, with the club aware of his desire to get to the Dockers.

"Nathan's management has advised the club of his interest to return to Perth and play for Fremantle," Fremantle list manager Brad Lloyd said.

"The club will be making no further comment at this stage." 

The Giants are also set to trade midfielder Matthew Kennedy and skilful forward Devon Smith, after both players informed the club this week they wanted to explore their trade options.

Wilson joined the Giants as a 17-year-old access selection in 2011, and has been at the club for six seasons playing 77 games.

The long-kicking Wilson played 45 games in the past two seasons to become a key component of a GWS backline that reached two preliminary finals.

Ahead of the Giants' semi-final against West Coast earlier this month, Wilson brushed off talk of a move back to his home state. 

Although disappointed to lose the defender, the Giants are believed to be open to trading Wilson.

Kennedy, who was selected with pick No.13 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, is expected to join Carlton after battling to cement a spot in the Giants' star-studded midfield this season.

The 20-year-old played 16 games this season to bring his tally to 19 in two seasons, but he did not play for the Giants during the finals.

Smith has attracted interest from several Victorian clubs, with Carlton and Collingwood believed to be the frontrunners at this stage.

He played in the Giants' first game in 2012 and kicked 100 goals in 109 games for the club, showing his goal sense and agility throughout his time at GWS.

Smith finished second in the Giants' best and fairest after being pick No.14 at the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.

Meanwhile, former Docker Tendai Mzungu has retired and will return to Fremantle as the club's first coach of the Next Generation Academy after four games in his only season at the Giants. He played 102 games with Fremantle.