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FREMANTLE has not given up hope of retaining small forward Hayden Ballantyne, with rival clubs yet to table strong interest in the fiery Docker.
Ballantyne has expressed interest in a move to crosstown rival West Coast, but the Eagles are understood to be prioritising their search for a ruckman.
AFL.com.au understands preliminary talks through Ballantyne's management have taken place and the small forward was likely to attract a third-round draft pick.
Dockers list manager Brad Lloyd said the club had always wanted to retain Ballantyne and the Dockers remained hopeful he would see out the final year of his contract.
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"Our feeling is he'll remain at the club next year and we'd like that to happen," Lloyd told NAB AFL Trade Radio.
"He's been a great player for the club and well-loved within the club, and he's someone we've always wanted to retain.
"We haven't had real strong interest or indications from any club that he'll be going there.
"We'll see what unfolds over the coming 10 days … I think he'll be playing for Fremantle again and we'd be really happy with that."
Ballantyne finished seventh in Fremantle's 2016 best and fairest on Saturday night, higher than he did in 2012 and 2013 when he kicked more than 30 goals.
Fremantle shapes as one of the busiest teams of the Trade Period, with Greater Western Sydney forward Cam McCarthy likely to make his way to the club in the coming days.
Lloyd confirmed the Dockers were considering using pick No.3 to trade down the order to secure McCarthy, receiving the Giants' pick No.7 in return.
"That is possible … whether it's pick No.3 involved or future picks, or just a straight swap, they are all different things we have discussed," Lloyd said.
Indicative draft order: What picks will your club take to the draft
Hawthorn premiership midfielder Bradley Hill is also in the Dockers' sights, but the club will have to wait on its compensation pick for free agent Chris Mayne before that deal can be completed.
Mayne is destined to join Collingwood on a four-year deal and Lloyd said the Dockers expected a second-round compensation pick, which could then be used as part of a deal for Hill.
"Bradley's certainly a player we'd like to get to Fremantle and we're talking regularly, but I think we'll wait to see what that compensation pick is, and how that fits in with the rest of our picks," Lloyd said.
Lloyd said Geelong forward Shane Kersten was "getting to the point" of declaring his interest in joining the Dockers, but the club was yet to have meaningful discussions with the Cats.
Fremantle has also expressed its interest in Western Bulldogs premiership defender Joel Hamling, who is yet to sign a contract extension with the 2016 premiers.
"He's a young West Australian … he's someone we'd have some interest in and have shown some interest in," Lloyd said.
"At this point he's a bit undecided around which way he's going to head with his football.
"We haven't been told that he will come to Fremantle and we haven't been told that he won't."
