THIS year's most sought-after free agent Stephen Coniglio will need to weigh up interest from three different states with Fremantle declaring it is entering the race to bring him home.
With industry sources predicting his growth could command upwards of $1.1m per season, Coniglio's signature remains at the top of Greater Western Sydney's priority list, alongside Josh Kelly.
It is understood the Giants and Coniglio's management have started preliminary dialogue, however a fresh deal is far from imminent.
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Carlton and Hawthorn are among a host of Victorian clubs expected to ramp up their chase for the West Australian, while Dockers CEO Steve Rosich has gone public about his club’s interest.
"You mention Stephen, who's an obvious target for clubs looking," Rosich told 6PR Radio.
"He's at a good club, but as a young West Australian free agent it'd be negligent if I didn't have a coffee with (Coniglio's agent) Tom Petroro."
"We've still got a very young list, Michael Walters quite proudly says he's the fifth oldest player on our list at 28.
"We've got a real underbelly of young players forcing their way through. We think we can continue to add to that, not only by the draft, but players from other teams."
Fremantle last year prepared an offer for Geelong midfield ace Tim Kelly, however were rebutted as he attempted to join West Coast.
Despising the Dockers as a junior, Coniglio grew up supporting the Eagles while mixing football for WAFL club Swan Districts and state cricket commitments.
However, with West Coast’s salary cap tested by a list brimming with talent, the aim to land Kelly and need to re-sign star ruckman Nic Naitanui, the Eagles appear a long shot to be able to compete for Coniglio's services.
Entering free agency for the first time in his career, Coniglio is expected to be a restricted free agent as a player who would sit inside the Giants' top 25 per cent of earners.
In a sign Carlton would be able to accommodate Coniglio’s price tag, the Blues last year pitched a seven-year deal to his then-GWS teammate Dylan Shiel before losing out to Essendon.
The 25-year-old Giant also shares a close friendship with Hawthorn's Jaeger O'Meara and often stays with the former Sun and his housemate, Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, when in Melbourne.
While the Hawks lured Chad Wingard and Tom Scully last year, they also held interest in recruiting both Rory Sloane and then-Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch early in 2018.
Despite missing out on both, the salary cap position at Waverley Park may open the door for a long-term approach to Conglio.
