FREMANTLE free agent Zac Clarke is expected to decide his future late next week. 

Clarke has for some time been weighing up whether to extend his career with the Dockers or seek a fresh start at one of several rival clubs pursuing him. 

The ruckman has been focused on Peel Thunder's WAFL finals campaign for the past month, which ended in glory last Sunday when Freo's affiliate claimed its maiden premiership with a 23-point win over Subiaco.

Fremantle is believed to be increasingly confident Clarke will stay, but the 26-year-old has suitors in and outside his home state of Victoria and has yet to make up his mind. 

Clarke has his 2016 exit interview with Fremantle early next week, a meeting that will help shape his decision.

He will likely make a final call by the opening of the free agency period next Friday. 

Before doing so, Clarke will weigh up his likely standing in a rival club's pecking order compared to his situation at Fremantle, where the Dockers' longstanding No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands, 33, is contracted for another season.

Clarke played 13 senior games in 2016 after carrying knee problems for much of the year. He is confident post-season surgery will help him regain the athleticism he showed in his strong first half of 2015.

Fremantle recruited Clarke from the Oakleigh Chargers with pick No.37 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

He has played 101 games and was a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee in 2011.

Clarke was scheduled to have the surgery post-season but Peel Thunder's progress through the finals to win the flag meant he waited until Thursday to have the operation on his knee. 

The procedure stabilised the patella in Clarke's knee and he is expected to recover well before the pre-season. 

Clarke played a strong role in the Thunder's premiership, picking up 17 touches and recording 56 hit-outs as his team won the Grand Final.