The West Australians have both gone back home – Gordon after the opening month of the Hampden season, Cox at the end of May – but with the clearance window still open until June 30, Dunn is hopeful the club could lure them back yet.

“We’re still hopeful Paul is going to come back,” he said.

“There’s an element of hope – it’s not guaranteed.

“When he went home, he said he’s just got a few things (to do) – wanted to look in with family and sort some things out.

“But he’s keen to come back.”

Cox’s return may well hinge on Gordon, who has also indicated a willingness to return to Melville Oval.

Their re-inclusion would be a boon for the bottom-of-the-ladder Kangaroos as they look to make up ground in the second half of the season.

“Obviously Paul Cox was one of the best forwards in the competition and Kamus gives us a little bit of versatility,” Dunn said.

Meanwhile, Koroit coach Adam Dowie has hosed down speculation Ben Dobson might be making his way back to Victoria Park.

The elder Dobson left the south-west at the start of the year when he secured a spot on Essendon’s VFL list, while brother Sam joined Geelong’s state league squad.

“There’s been some people asking about Ben, whether he’s coming back … but he’s not,” Dowie said.

“We’re probably more just focused on getting our players that are out back.”

The Saints have carried a below full-strength side all season, with promising youngsters James Gow, Willem Drew, Jarrod Korewha and Nick Hausler away on North Ballarat Rebels duties, as well as a number of players missing through injury.

Star recruit Tim McIntyre is yet to take to the field in Saints’ colours, but is eyeing a late season return from a knee reconstruction.

Portland is waiting to see whether former TAC Cup player Jake Edwards will make a more permanent return to the club.

The Tigers had high hopes the promising young gun could spearhead the Tigers’ midfield this season, but a move to Melbourne saw him cross to Victorian Amateur Football Association club University Blacks.

He returned on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and will be around for a couple more weeks at least for university holidays, but whether he stays on beyond then is yet to be decided.

“It’s a matter of whether he decides after this week … we’ll wait and see,” Portland coach Luke Crane said.

“He’s the type of kid we love having around. If it ends up only being a couple of weeks, it’s been a good boost.”