VETERAN forward Chris Dawes' playing future might remain in limbo until after the NAB AFL Trade Period, with Melbourne yet to offer the 28-year-old a new contract.

Meanwhile, out-of-favour defender Lynden Dunn is set to search for senior opportunities at another club, possibly the Brisbane Lions.

Dawes only managed six senior games this season after an injury-interrupted start to the year and the uncontracted big man has attracted interest from rival clubs.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney told NAB AFL Trade Radio that Dawes wouldn't be offered a new deal at the Demons until after the player movement period.

"He's one of a few players at the moment that we're just waiting until the end of trade period just to have a look of who we bring in," Mahoney said.

"He has not (been) offered a contract at this stage."

The Demons announced on Tuesday that they have secured boom forward Jesse Hogan until the end of 2019, and also have emerging 19-year-old marking target Sam Weideman developing as another key forward.

Meanwhile, Dunn will seek a new home after falling down the pecking order in the Demons' backline.

The 29-year-old has attracted interest from the Lions after only making four senior appearances this season.

"We've had chats to Dunny and he was obviously disappointed with the lack of opportunities this year, and probably off the back of Oscar McDonald playing down there, Josh Wagner coming in and Jayden Hunt played a lot of roles in our defence," Mahoney said.


Josh Mahoney speaks to the media this afternoon at AAMI Park (Photo: Matthew Goodrope)

"So his management came to us and said he wants to play senior footy and look at opportunities and we're supportive of that.

"If something happens through the trade period … we'll wait and see."

Mahoney expected the Demons' second-round draft pick, 26 overall, would be "around the mark" to get a deal done with Essendon for backman Michael Hibberd.

But after active trade periods in recent seasons, which included trading away their first-round pick this year to Gold Coast in an exchange of picks, Mahoney said the Dees would be "pretty quiet" this year.

However, Melbourne will be looking for another forward-ruck option to support All Australian ruckman Max Gawn.

"Probably like a lot of clubs a third tall is someone we're looking at, a second-ruck role," he said.

"Jack Watts played that role a lot this year, but we're not alone in searching for that."