NORTH Melbourne forward Aaron Black could request a trade to Fremantle at season’s end after spending the first half of the season languishing in the VFL.

Black, has rebuffed the Dockers’ strong interest for several years but will consider his future after losing form and confidence in the Roos’ VFL affiliate North Ballarat.

Several other clubs, including Port Adelaide, are also believed to be interested in the 192cm goalkicker.

Black is contracted to Arden St until the end of 2017 after signing a four-year deal on the back of a breakthrough 2013 season.

But he has languished in the VFL playing key forward for a team which has suffered repeated heavy losses this year.

Black loomed as one of the most exciting young forwards in the competition two years ago but played through a shoulder injury last season and has played only one senior AFL game in 2015.

In the VFL, he has averaged 12 possessions and four marks a game, while the man who took Black’s spot in the forward line, 32-year-old Jarrad Waite, has bagged 16 goals from 10 AFL games.

media_camera Kangaroos forward Aaron Black. Picture: Colleen Petch

It is understood Black, 24, would be open to considering his trade options at season’s end if his circumstances don’t change in the second half of the season.

The chance to return home to Western Australia and play a key role for a premiership heavyweight may be hard to resist for Black in the trade period.

The Roos have previously declined the Dockers’ interest in Black, but the Roos may be forced reconsider if a deal can help secure the club a prime goalkicking midfielder or a first-round draft pick. Dockers’ wingman Tom Sheridan has been linked to a move home to Victoria.

The Kangaroos signed ex-Carlton key forward Waite at the end of last season to bolster their forward setup but the free agency recruiting move could, in part, cost them Black.

Fremantle is intent on securing an established key forward prong to bolster its attacking setup and replace champion centre half forward Matthew Pavlich.

The Dockers recruited a similar player in former Bomber Scott Gumbleton but another hamstring injury ended his career.

The Dockers have a superstar midfield brigade but will need to add depth to their key position stocks at both ends to keep their premiership window open.

The Kangaroos have preferred a three-pronged key forward setup featuring Drew Petrie, Ben Brown and Waite this season but the trio managed only one goal (from Petrie) in Saturday night’s loss to Sydney.

The Kangaroos will take on Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday trying to keep their finals aspirations alive.