Black on verge of quitting

Docker Heath Black's future is up in the air after coach Mark Harvey acknowledged the 192-game veteran is considering retirement.

Black is contracted until the end of 2009 but it appears likely a settlement will be reached with the former Saint, who revealed on Perth radio that he wishes to retire on Monday night.

"Heath is certainly considering what's been projected out there in the media (about retiring)," said Harvey on Wednesday.

"Look it's been an interesting couple of days (but) there's some finer details to be worked out," Harvey added.

Black has not played for the Dockers since receiving a two-match suspension for striking Brisbane's Troy Selwood in Round 11.

At the time, Harvey said Black's undisciplined ways would not be tolerated at selection anymore, consigning the midfielder to the WAFL for punishment, although Black has since endured a shoulder injury that's prevented him returning to the seniors.

Harvey also implied last week that Black, along with Josh Carr and Dean Solomon, was one of three or four players mainly responsible for Fremantle's poor disciplinary record.

Asked on Wednesday whether he wanted Black at the Dockers next season, Harvey replied: "Look, I've had some conversations with Heath about a number of things and he's got some issues and not necessarily about football."

"It's about what he does from here on in beyond football."

Black was Fremantle's first pick in the 1996 national draft and played with the club until 2001 when he was lured to St Kilda for three years, before returning to the Dockers at the end of 2004.

If he does retire, Black will be the third Docker, after Matthew Carr and former skipper Peter Bell, to hang up his boots this season, with club veteran Shaun McManus also expected to call it a day following Round 22.