FREMANTLE has set its sights on Richmond free agent Reece Conca as it attempts to lure more home-grown talent across the Nullarbor.
AFL.com.au understands the Dockers are offering Conca a multi-year proposal to become a starting midfielder as uncertainty continues over Lachie Neale's future in the west.
While Neale is contemplating a long-term deal from Brisbane despite being signed to the Dockers for 2019, Conca is out of contract at Punt Road come season's end.
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As an unrestricted free agent, Conca is free to move to his club of choice.
As the Tigers announced the signatures of Shaun Grigg, Bachar Houli and Oleg Markov on Friday, Conca's name remained on the club's to-do list.
Conca's tilt at a maiden premiership will go on the line on Friday night when the Tigers face Collingwood for a berth in the 2018 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
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Having dislocated his ankle in his 100th game in round 15, Conca forced his way back into the team for round 23, playing the last three matches including the qualifying final win over Hawthorn.
The 26-year-old missed last year's breakthrough flag, restricted to the VFL after a foot injury earlier in the season.
Conca looked set to depart the club at the end of 2016 before re-signing in October on a two-year extension. Drafted from WAFL club Perth, Conca was taken at pick No.6 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.
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The Dockers have made no secret of their pursuit of players raised in Perth, having targeted a large number in recent years with varying success.
Come round one 2019, all seven players on the Dockers' list to have started at opposition clubs played junior football in Western Australia.
They include Brandon Matera, Harley Bennell, Bradley Hill, Joel Hamling, Nathan Wilson, Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten.
WA products including Jeremy McGovern, Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb, Cale Hooker, Mitch Clark have been chased by the Dockers before opting to play elsewhere.
Lobb and Hogan remain on the Dockers' radar when their contracts expire at the end of 2019.
Conca is one of a number of uncontracted Tigers for ahead of next season.
Nathan Broad, Shai Bolton, Connor Menadue, Jacob Townsend, Anthony Miles, Callum Moore, Sam Lloyd and Corey Ellis are among others without deals.
While Miles has met with Gold Coast about a potential trade, teammate Ellis has also attracted interest from the Suns as Stuart Dew seeks more midfield options.
Ellis, 22, has played 27 games in four seasons after being taken as a first-round draft selection in 2014.
Rookie small forward Liam Baker will be retained for at least one more year after playing three games.
