Collingwood AFL premiership forward Chris Dawes wants to be traded to Melbourne.
The Demons had been among several clubs, also including the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Carlton, vying to attract the 24-year-old.
Dawes’ manager Ben Niall said on Friday the 71-gamer had settled on Melbourne as his preferred destination.
His relationship with Demons coach Mark Neeld, a former Collingwood assistant, was a factor.
“If you go somewhere where you know your boss a bit better obviously you feel more comfortable,” Niall told the AFL website, adding the idea of playing a key role at a rebuilding club also appealed.
“He came into Collingwood which already had a terrific culture in place. Now he can go into a club and be responsible for building a culture and standards, that really appealed to Chris,” Niall said.
The Demons now need to come up with a trade to satisfy the Magpies, where Dawes remains under contract.