Rising Western Bulldogs defender Joel Hamling has emerged as a latest recruiting target in ambitious Fremantle Dockers rebuilding plans.

Hambling is an important defensive cog in a patched-up Dogs backline for this month's finals series but does not have a contract beyond the end of the season.

He is in the Dockers sights along with other possible expatriate West Australian imports including triple-premiership Hawthorn winger Brad Hill, disgruntled Greater Western Sydney forward Cam McCarthy and borderline Geelong first team selection Shane Kersten.

Hamling, 23, is in discussions with Dogs officials on prospects of a new deal, with a preference to continue his blossoming career in an exciting new era for the Dogs.

But the West Aussie product, from the plentiful Claremont pathways youth programs, is unlikely to be a first choice defender when the Dogs regain back line specialists Robert Murphy and Marcus Adams next season.

Hamling is understood to be willing to consider a switch back home and probably on a substantially better contract than he could get to stay at the Dogs.

Hamling was recruited to the Dogs two years ago after unsuccessfully trying to break into the Geelong line-up for three seasons.

He has only played 20 senior games but is understood to appeal to Dockers scouts for his diversity to play as a tight-checking lock-in tall key defender or even hold down smaller running and dangerous small opposition forwards.

Hamling was originally taken to Geelong as a second-round draft selection at 32 overall in 2011 and then walked into the Dogs as a delisted free agent as defensive back-up, having not played a senior Cats game.

He has answered call-ups with nine senior games this season as Murphy, Dale Morris, Easton Wood and Adams all missed games through injury and Hamling also made 11 senior appointments last year.

Dockers officials seem confident deals to attract Hill, McCarthy, Kersten and Hamling could be completed during next month's trade period.

Any trade to allow Hill to return west and continue his playing time in the Dockers alongside his older brother Stephen is tipped to be complicated.

A switch for the 23-year-old, who has played 94 senior Hawks games over the past seven seasons, is expected to require at least a first-round draft pick from the Dockers.

Kersten, 23, is also out of contract at the Cats when his finals campaign is over, while Hill is committed to the Hawks until the end of 2017.

Kersten remains only on the edge of a permanent spot in the classy Cats forward division with 22 goals from his 17 engagements this season - taking the developing key position goal sneak to 37 appearances overall in three years as an understudy to big scoring Tom Hawkins.

Fremantle player list powerbrokers have already indicated a reluctance to surrender their first pick in the draft at number three and will be forced to trade into early selections to win a deal for Hill.

Hamling made a late entry into a permanent spot in the imposing Dogs backline and was impressive in the stunning upset win over West Coast in Perth.

He was responsible for superstar Eagles Josh Kennedy and held the Coleman Medalist to just two majors from his 16 disposals.

Hamling is in Dockers sights as a priority in a recruiting model that is targeting West Australians that are spread throughout the league but could be tempted into returning home to continue careers in Fremantle's on-field revival plan.

A Dockers replenishment strategy is also aimed at substantial recruitment through this year's talent rich national draft for recovery and plans of sustained finals appearances.

Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich has maintained a steadfast view that drafting talent is more insurance to long term viability and finals hopes.

"We feel that list management is the critical area that will enable us to challenge again and secure our next period of sustained success," Rosich said.

"Our period of sustained success from 2010 to this point has been built off two drafts , 2008-09 and we see our next period of success including a strong performance and good positioning at the 2016 draft."

A successful coup to lure Hill into a Dockers midfield, the rangy Hamling into defence alongside Alex Pearce who resumes from a broken leg as well as McCarthy and Kersten up forward is expected to offer distinct hope of a swift recovery into finals calculations for Fremantle.

Dockers estimates for next season factor in highly anticipated comebacks from Nat Fyfe, Harley Bennell, star ruckman Aaron Sandilands and veteran defender Michael Johnson who have all missed larges chinks of the horrid 2016 season when Fremantle finished 16th with just four wins.