Fremantle’s Luke Jackson will request a trade back to Melbourne at season’s end, according to a report in the West Australian.
The report, which comes amid months of speculation Jackson was after a move back to Victoria, states the hybrid tall wishes to return to his old club due to “significant off-field issues” which have reportedly been addressed recently.
The forward-ruck, originally drafted to the Demons with the third overall pick in 2019, sought a move to the Dockers at the end of the 2022 season after playing in Melbourne’s 2021 premiership.
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It allowed Jackson to return home and play for his childhood club.
In his original trade west, Jackson — who is contracted at Fremantle until 2029 season after penning a seven-year deal upon his arrival — yielded the Demons two first-round picks and a second-round pick.
The Dees used the two first-rounders on Matthew Jefferson and Caleb Windsor.
Fremantle, a middling 4-5 this season, has struggled striking the right balance between Jackson and the oft-injured Sean Darcy throughout the East Fremantle product’s three years at the club, while fringe tapster Liam Reidy is most weeks WAFL-bound.
The 23-year-old Jackson, who missed Rounds 5-7 with a hamstring injury, is averaging a career-high 16.5 disposals and 27.5 hitouts this year.
Melbourne, meanwhile, will soon seek a full-time ruck successor to 33-year-old skipper Max Gawn, who couldn’t help but cheekily comment on his former teammate’s status at Fremantle while speaking to Triple M on Monday.
“WA is an unbelievable to place to be when you’re 18, 19, like it’s a great party and these Perth boys go back at 22 and all their mates have sort of grown up a bit,” Gawn joked.
“There are so many people that have had a trade back to WA and then come back. (I’m) not mentioning one, but (Jackson) could potentially be coming back soon.”
Seven’s Mitch Cleary in early March reported the Demons were ‘exploring the possibility’ of arranging Jackson’s return to Melbourne, prompting the big man to say in a press conference later that month: “I definitely will (stay).”
“I love Freo, I love playing at Freo and I’ve always wanted to play here since I was a little kid.
“I grew up supporting the club and I always remember watching the games. I’ll definitely be here and I’ve loved my time here.”
Of the trade reports he declared “that’s all rubbish”.
But Jackson’s off-field issues “have escalated” since those statements, according to The West’s report.
A move could work out perfectly if Melbourne’s Kysaiah Pickett also requests a trade west, as has long been rumoured.
Demons president Brad Green said earlier this year a Pickett trade would take “two or three first-round picks” but a swap for Jackson could be a fair price.
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