MELBOURNE is still keen on trading for Jordan Lewis, despite Hawthorn's consistent assertion that he will remain in brown and gold in 2017.
Hawks list manager Graham Wright said on Friday that Lewis, 30, would not be traded to the Demons even if the star midfielder asked the club to do so.
The Demons remain open to the prospect of trading for Lewis, with the club providing a statement to AFL.com.au outlining their continued interest in the four-time premiership star.
"We received an approach from Jordan Lewis’s management earlier this week regarding the possibility of him joining Melbourne. This was after discussions Jordan had with Hawthorn," the statement read.
"We understand that Jordan is contracted to Hawthorn, but we remain interested in looking at this option."
Indicative draft order: What picks will your club take to the draft
It was revealed on Thursday that Lewis, through his management, approached Melbourne about a trade after speaking with coach Alastair Clarkson about his future a few weeks ago.
After the shock Sam Mitchell news broke, Lewis was assured on Thursday in a meeting with Clarkson that he was a required player and a move to the Demons was shelved as a result.
It is believed Lewis remains upset at how he has been treated by Hawthorn, having reportedly been asked to take a pay cut as the Hawks try to secure talented young midfielder Jaeger O'Meara.
The Hawks have also brought in Ty Vickery as a free agent and traded for Swans onballer Tom Mitchell in this year's NAB AFL Trade Period.
Hawthorn traded five-time best and fairest winner Mitchell to West Coast on Friday, with speculation they did the deal to free up salary cap space.
Those claims were strongly denied by Wright in a press conference on Friday, with Mitchell's move instead based around his desire to pursue a coaching career once his playing days are over.
