Volatile Barry Hall admits he can't promise to keep his temper under control despite wanting a second chance to continue his AFL career with the Western Bulldogs.

Ex-Sydney forward Hall wants to join the Dogs, with both clubs attempting to hammer out a suitable trade deal for the 32-year-old.

The Bulldogs confirmed on Thursday they were interested in securing Hall during October's trade period, with a two-year deal the most likely scenario.

Hall, whose on-field aggression effectively forced him out of Sydney midway through this season, said the threat of having his career end in disgrace was a huge spur to him wanting to continue in 2010.

But he stopped short of promising he would be able to keep his temper in check.

"I'm pretty confident I can control that sort of stuff, but I'm not going to sit here and promise it won't happen again," Hall told Melbourne radio station SEN.

"If this does go belly-up, I get reported and go off my head, it'll end worse than what it started.

"I'm very aware of that and I wouldn't put myself in that position.

"If things go wrong here, it could end terribly. A new environment, the way they (the Bulldogs) play footy, all that stuff's going to help."

Short-fused Hall has become better known for his brain snaps than goal snaps - the most infamous a huge punch which knocked out West Coast rival Brent Staker in 2008.

But the end at Sydney came when Hall was reported midway through this season for striking Adelaide defender Ben Rutten and he was suspended for two matches.

With club and teammates tired of his anger management issues, Hall was paraded, feted, then shown the door with the Swans still in finals contention.

It has long been thought the Bulldogs' lack of a tall marking forward has held them back and the retirement this week of Scott Welsh has further heightened their need.

Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said on Thursday club officials would talk with Sydney over the next few days and try to agree on a trade.

"There remain a number of issues the parties involved need to work through, however the Western Bulldogs remain hopeful an agreement can be reached," Fantasia said.

In other trade news, Melbourne midfielder Brock McLean had meetings with Carlton officials at the club on Thursday.

McLean, 23, has asked to leave the Demons, with an in-principle agreement agreed with Carlton.

The tough onballer now looks certain to join a star-studded Blues midfield led by Chris Judd, with Melbourne gaining pick 11 in the national draft in return.

The deal, which would give the Demons four draft selections in the top 20, cannot be finalised until the official trade period.

Meanwhile, Collingwood defender Marty Clarke has quit the club to return home to Ireland.

Clarke played 46 AFL games with the Magpies after he came to Collingwood at the end of 2006 from County Down on a two-year international rookie contract.

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