Former Richmond defender Nathan Broad is believed to be open to a shock move to Fremantle.

SEN’s Sam Edmund is reporting that the 33-year-old Western Australian, who announced his retirement in early August, is interested in continuing his AFL career.

Broad, a three-time premiership Tiger, has reportedly been in contact with the Dockers since calling time on his career.

It had been suggested he could seek a playing or coaching opportunity at West Coast with former Tigers assistant Andrew McQualter and good mate Liam Baker.

But surprisingly it’s the Dockers who have come calling.

“Nathan Broad is interested in playing for Fremantle and Fremantle is interested in Nathan Broad playing for them,” Edmund said on Fireball.

“The Richmond premiership defender was talking on the latest episode of Footy & Friends and he said, ‘I’m fit, I'm training, I've got an old Peter Burge program from 2019, I'm doing all my training. Would I take a call? I absolutely would take a call. At the moment I'm retired’.

“But I can tell you he has taken some calls and I think they've been in pretty regular contact since he announced his retirement.

“So don't be surprised as an out-of-contract, retired player, whether it be pre-season supplemental selection period or late in the draft, Nathan Broad pulls on a Fremantle guernsey next year.

“And if they get rolled tonight (in the Semi Final), then that would even strengthen that case. I could absolutely see Nathan Broad continuing his career at Fremantle.

“I think that's entirely possible.”

David King was surprised by that move.

“How is that a progressive move? All I hear from Fremantle or about Fremantle is that their list is the best, most perfect list you've ever built,” King said.

“To go to a Nathan Broad would fly in the face of that. You’re adding a 33-year-old that's retired.”

Edmund added: “But he left the door ajar at the time, and I think he's got an appetite to play at Fremantle.

“I think he's really interested and I think it's been somewhat reciprocated as well.”

King concluded: “It would be a strange move for me.”

Former Freo footy boss Peter Bell also stated his surprise at the Broad link.

He feels the Dockers should prioritise inexperienced listed players over someone who turns 34 in April.

“First of all, what a great career,” Bell said on SEN WA Breakfast.

“But I would be surprised and it wouldn’t be for me for Broady as a player. Absolutely if he wanted to go into development coaching and there was an opportunity there, no problems at all, he’d have a lot to teach.

“I don’t even know if that is on his dance card.

“I’m just not sure how much at his age and for how long Broady would be bringing from a playing point of view.

“I’ve got great respect for what he’s achieved, but I’d be prioritising those other explorations like Hugh Davies and Josh Draper before Broady, personally.”