Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick has taken a swipe at Melbourne’s leaders over public comments that fuelled AFL trade speculation around star ruckman Luke Jackson.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin last month signalled his strong interest in luring 2021 premiership player Jackson back to the club.

Goodwin said “we’d certainly be interested” if Jackson, who is contracted to the Dockers until the end of 2029, became available.

Dees captain Max Gawn also hinted at Jackson’s possible return in a radio interview, but later apologised for his comments, which he said were intended as a joke.

The speculation around Jackson – whose partner, former Australian netball star Kelsey Brown, is from Victoria – has come amid rumours around Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett’s possible interest in joining Fremantle.

But Pickett is now reportedly set to stay put, with the Demons said to have tabled a monster nine-year contract extension.

Garlick on Wednesday dismissed the suggestion of a Pickett-Jackson trade and hit back at Melbourne.

“To borrow an infamous line from Will Smith, I think Melbourne should take our players’ names out of their mouths,” Garlick said on SEN radio.

“It’s interesting. Hearing the captain and coach speak specifically on Luke was really disappointing.

“It’s not a practice that we engage in, but that’s their prerogative.”

Jackson has starred for Fremantle this season, splitting his time in the ruck, midfield and forward-line.

“He’s in phenomenal form,” Garlick said.

“He’s an unbelievable character around the footy club in terms of his enthusiasm, his infectious nature, he’s a great teammate and we just love having him being a part of the club.

“He’s clearly signed for a long period of time, he loves the footy club, and you can see that in both his actions and his words.

“It (letting Jackson go) is not even a consideration for us … he’s a cornerstone of our club for a long time to come.”

In March, Jackson said he “definitely will” be a Fremantle player long-term and ruled out a move back to Victoria when asked directly about the prospect by reporters.

Garlick also brushed off trade rumours around 21-year-old midfielder Neil Erasmus, who is out of contract.

“We see him again as a really important part of the midfield,” Garlick said.

Meanwhile, Fremantle youngsters Isaiah Dudley and Aiden Riddle have both signed one-year contract extensions to remain on the club’s rookie list until the end of next season.

Exciting small forward Dudley has kicked eight goals in nine games this season, including two as the starting substitute, while ruck-forward Riddle is yet to debut.

Luke Jackson. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Tassie stadium officially delayed

Tasmania’s AFL licence is hanging in the balance, with a planned government vote on the controversial new Hobart stadium officially delayed as the state heads to an election.

A parliament vote was scheduled for later this month, and was expected to be a close-run thing, with both Labor and Liberal members supporting the stadium in the lower house, but support from the crossbench required in the upper house to approve it.

However, that vote will now be pushed back after Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who received a vote of no confidence from Labor leader Dean Winter, calling an election on July 19.

In a statement, Tasmanian Governor Barbara Baker acknowledged the lack of appetite for Tasmanians for an election, but that no alternative was possible, with Winter unwilling to broker a deal with the Greens.

The deadline for approval on the stadium in line with the AFL’s licence contract with the state, which requires the stadium in order to allow Tasmania’s team into the AFL, is September 30.

Dogs confirm Darcy return for Saints clash

Western Bulldogs star Sam Darcy will complete a remarkable comeback from a knee injury less than eight weeks after it was feared his AFL season was over.

Darcy was initially told he had probably torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he landed awkwardly in the Bulldogs’ win over St Kilda in round six.

It was then thought the 21-year-old would require surgery and face a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

But he ultimately avoided the need for surgery and missed only six games with an impaction fracture and associated ligament damage.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge confirmed Darcy will return to action in another clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

“He’s done a really scrupulous and professional job on rehabilitation from that injury,” Beveridge said on Wednesday.

“We welcome him back and look forward to having him part of tomorrow night.”

Darcy enjoyed a hot start to the year, kicking 14 goals in his first five games.

Sam Darcy celebrates a goal. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The 205cm aerial threat will add to the free-scoring Bulldogs’ attacking weapons against St Kilda as they look to bounce back from a humbling last-start defeat to Hawthorn.

“We’ll blend a little bit of ruck time in there to make sure he’s involved in the game,” Beveridge said.

“But he’s an enormous threat (in the forward line) and we saw the way that his early part of the season was evolving and his presence.

“Early in the game last week, Hawthorn took a lot of intercept marks. With Sam there (against St Kilda), that definitely won’t happen.”

Darcy and fourth-gamer Cooper Hynes replace Ryan Gardner (omitted) and James Harmes (concussion) in the Bulldogs’ side.

St Kilda have regained former Dogs midfielder Jack Macrae (lung) and Liam Stocker (foot) from injuries, while Mattaes Phillipou (calf) and Hugh Boxshall (omitted) are out.

Darcy’s return is a further boost for the Bulldogs after confirmation Beveridge had agreed to a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 2027.

The Bulldogs’ longest-serving coach, who led the club to the 2016 premiership, is hopeful out-of-contract captain Marcus Bontempelli will soon follow suit.

“It’s important for all of us,” Beveridge said.

“What an incredible player Marcus has been, and what a citizen and person he is.

“I haven’t got a line of sight on it, I don’t know the detail, but I know (Bontempelli’s manager) Tom Petroro and (Bulldogs list boss) Sam Power are always talking.

“Hopefully over the next couple of weeks there’ll be some news on that.”

The Bulldogs (6-6) will start warm favourites against St Kilda (5-7), despite Ross Lyon’s side enjoying a surprise last-start victory over Melbourne before their mid-season bye.

(with AAP)