Ellis next in Freo sights
Hawthorn left-footer Xavier Ellis could become a second free agency pick-up for Fremantle, pending the club's assessment on his durability.
The 25-year-old was the No.3 draft pick in 2005 and one of the best players on the ground in the 2008 grand final win against Geelong when he had 28 possessions and kicked a goal.
But he has had a wretched run with injury since 2010, playing just 16 games for a career total of 86 in eight seasons since he made his debut in 2006.
He played just twice for the Hawks in 2013, against West Coast in round 13 and against Brisbane the following week.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is said to be a fan, but wants more information on Ellis' durability. The midfielder has been plagued by knee and calf problems.
The Dockers are likely to finalise a three-year $1.05 million deal to secure Melbourne's Colin Sylvia quickly, possibly today.
The 27-year-old Sylvia told the Demons of his decision to join the Dockers yesterday.
He had flown to Perth for talks with Fremantle earlier in the week.
He described the Dockers as a "good fit" for where he was at in his football career.
"This is the hardest decision I've made in my footy career, to leave a club after 10 years," he told the AFL website.
"The Melbourne Football Club will always be in my heart. It has made me who I am today and I thank for them for that.
"I would also like to thank my teammates over my journey at the club and the Melbourne supporters, they have been great for me and it's really sad to leave. I leave on good terms and clearly this was a tough decision, given the positive moves the club has made in recent times."
Melbourne coach Paul Roos said he was comfortable with Sylvia leaving the Demons.
Melbourne had said they wanted Sylvia to stay and claimed the deal they had offered him was similar to the one tabled by Fremantle.
"Probably the last thing I said to Colin was that he had made the right decision," Roos said.
"He had a great opportunity to go to a good footy club, well coached and on the cusp of success, obviously, having played in a grand final.
"He is probably in a unique situation. He has been around the club for a long time now and he has heard a lot of promises before, so certainly my message to Colin is I think he has done the right thing and I wish him all the best."
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said the Demons, who lack quality on-ballers, couldn't afford to wallow in the disappointment of losing a required player.
"As an unrestricted free agent, he had a choice to make," Mahoney said.
"As we have already stated, we are aiming to bolster our midfield depth with experienced midfielders and Colin's decision allows us to create more flexibility with potential targets."
"Probably the last thing I said to Colin was that he had made the right decision." " *Paul Roos * on *Colin Sylvia *
