Bold efforts from the Dockers is tipped to spark a bidding war with bitter rival West Coast.

Eagles' have sights on McGovern as a longer term plan to have a star forward in the wings to cover the eventual loss of champion sharpshooter Josh Kennedy.

Docker's scouts are understood to have the naturally gifted younger brother of West Coast and All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern in their sights after success in snaring decorated Hawthorn midfield gun Brad Hill, Joel Hamling, Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten.

Dashing Western Bulldogs premiership half-back Jason Johannisen and Gold Coast small forward Brandon Matera are other top West Aussies likely to get offers in a widely spread Dockers recruiting net.

Johannisen, 24, is in on-going discussions with Dogs management on prospects of a new deal.

But the 2016 Norm Smith medallist as best-afield in the Dogs historic premiership is understood to be asking for a significantly higher amount than the creative defender is expected to get to stay at Whitten Oval.

McGovern, 22, is out of contract at the end of this season and continues to delay discussions on any new deal with Crows management.

The gangly forward with strong overhead marking as a feature of his courageous playing style so similar to his big brother, is tipped to attract offers in the region of $600,00-$700,000 to leave the Crows.

McGovern is certain to win a substantial pay rise if he moved back west - with the Crows unlikely to virtually double his contract.

When fit McGovern forms part of the AFL's most formidable scoring machine in conjunction with superstar Eddie Betts, Crows skipper Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, Tom Lynch and another West Aussie product Charlie Cameron.

The Dockers are expected to manage their salary cap to include balancing a possible deal with McGovern as well as retaining superstar play-maker and captain Nathan Fyfe from next season.

McGovern is not a free agent, on the back of just three years with the Crows, after he was taken at 43 in the third round of the 2014 national draft.

Fremantle and West Coast each had two picks before the Claremont product.

He is out of action until well into the late stages of home-and-way engagements with a serious hamstring injury suffered in the Crows round three Showdown victory over arch enemy Port Adelaide.

His long absence is not expected to hinder Dockers and Eagles endeavours to win McGovern from next season.

He has booted 35 goals in his 26 Crows outings since his debut last season when he made 23 appearances of a possible 24 engagements including both finals when he booted two majors against Sydney as Adelaide bowed out of the title race.

He looms as an ideal forward target in tandem with McCarthy and Kersten if he joined Fremantle or Kennedy at West Coast for at least another few seasons - which could see Jack Darling on the outer if McGovern joined his brother at the Eagles.