Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has rubbished reports that Lachie Hunter could leave the club at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Brisbane after journalist Caroline Wilson reported on Channel Nine’s Footy Classified that relations between Hunter and the Bulldogs had become strained.
The midfielder is contracted to the Dogs until the end of 2024.
“It's a made-up story, I don't know where it's come from," Beveridge told reporters on Friday.
“I think there’d be 17 clubs interested in Lachie Hunter. He’s a very good player. Lachie’s red, white and blue through and through.
“It's either come from his management or someone said earlier it was on Footy Classified, I'm sure Lachie is not shopping himself around.
“I think we’ve managed to work through a difficult period for him and he’s still got his challenges up ahead. But it’s disappointing that there’s any innuendo or stories out there about him possibly leaving the club.
“I think that’s the furthest thing from Lachie's mind and definitely our mind. He's a Bulldogs player and he'll be with us next year, I've got no doubt.
“He's happy, content and has no desire to leave our footy club."
Hunter will return for Sunday’s match against Adelaide after missing last week’s loss to Brisbane due to a calf complaint.
The former vice-captain has played just the three games in 2020 after serving a four-match suspension because of a drink-driving incident.
He was also unavailable for selection in July for unspecified personal reasons.