THE WESTERN Bulldogs have expressed interest in Sydney Swans talls Sam Reid and Tim Membrey as the club prepares to deal aggressively in the NAB AFL Trade Period. 

With Liam Jones destined for Carlton and Shaun Higgins exploring free agency, the Bulldogs could be reimbursed with mid-range draft picks that will give them options at the trade table. 

Currently holding pick No.25, CEO Simon Garlick said the club could package that with potential compensation picks and chase a young tall like Reid or Membrey, with Greater Western Sydney youngster Kristian Jaksch also on their hit-list.  

"They certainly figure in our discussions," Garlick told NAB AFL Trade Radio.  

"My understanding is Sam's pretty set in Sydney (but) he clearly provides something that would interest us. 

"Would a [pick] 25 and 26 get that deal done? It's a potential one that you'd look at."

 

Membrey has reportedly asked for a trade after two seasons with the Swans, and Victorian clubs are scrambling to sign Jaksch, who wants to return to his home state after two years with GWS. 

Garlick said the Bulldogs weren't going to be passive onlookers through the Trade Period once it officially opens on Monday.  

"It's probably a slight shift in relation to us being really committed to that drafting philosophy," he said.  

"While that drafting philosophy will underpin where we're going, we're really open and we're really proactive and keen to look at what we can potentially bring in in this two-week trade period. 

"We're going to be proactive and pretty aggressive in terms of what we can land."

The Bulldogs will be told on Friday what offer they will have to match to keep Higgins, who has been linked to North Melbourne and one other club as a restricted free agent.

Garlick left the door open to keeping Higgins at the Bulldogs - or forcing him into the 2014 NAB AFL Draft - by matching any offer.  

"We've clearly got both the capacity in our salary cap and the capability from a financial point of view to match, we think, any offer that Shaun's going to get," Garlick said.  

"We'll just assess that as it comes in and make a decision on Friday whether we want to keep Shaun in the red, white and blue or let him go."

After rumblings of discontent at Whitten Oval following a confronting season review, Garlick threw his support behind coach Brendan McCartney and said talk of a divide between players and the coach was wide of the mark.  

"From our perspective it was a really unsatisfactory year (and) with that brings a pretty strong review and an assessment of how we can improve," he said. 

"While that occurred and perhaps created a bit of discomfort within the place, everyone within the organisation is really committed to moving forward. 

"'Macca' is committed to it, as are all of our senior players and the young group."