Fremantle is aiming to pull off a trade coup by signing Port Adelaide's Josh Carr and retaining ruckman Troy Simmonds against the odds by Thursday.

The Dockers were among the most active clubs on day three of AFL trade week on Wednesday - a day when no trades were completed.

Port Adelaide, losing hope on its initial ambition to retain Carr, told the Dockers it would trade him back to his home state in exchange for Fremantle's draft pick 11 and young Freo midfielder Ryley Dunn, who was a first-round selection in 2003.

The Dockers baulked at the deal, instead offering picks 11 and 27 in exchange for Carr.

There were further negotiations between the two clubs planned on Wednesday night, with both teams eager to reach a deal on Thursday rather than allowing it to go down to the wire on Friday.

The Dockers were also expected to learn late Wednesday whether they had been successful in an ambitious 11th-hour bid to retain Simmonds.

Freo officials met Simmonds' manager Ron Joseph and tabled a lucrative new four-year contract for consideration, with further meetings on Wednesday night.

The Dockers tabled the bid more in hope than expectation, with Simmonds seemingly intent on being picked up by Richmond with pick one in the pre-season draft.

Freo is demanding an early response to its latest contract offer, so if it is rejected the club can still organise a trade for Simmonds rather than lose him for nothing.

But Simmonds has the right to refuse any such deal and should he return to Victoria, the Dockers will be able to loosen purse strings to sign Heath Black from St Kilda.

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