Warnock is the first AFL player to officially announce his intentions to leave his current club ahead of one of the game’s busiest trade weeks on record looms early next month.
Warnock, 27, played just four senior games in 2011 as the Demons crashed from serious finals contenders to finish 13th with only eight wins.
His manager Colin Young confirmed on Monday that Warnock has requested a trade from Melbourne, less than 24 hours after the Demons suffered an eight-point defeat to strugglers Port Adelaide in Adelaide.
“Matty seriously believes that he can still play a lot of AFL football and he wants that opportunity,” Young said.
“We have asked Melbourne to manage a trade for Matt so that he can continue his career.
“It is now up to us to put together a deal that suits all three parties, being Matt, Melbourne and a new club.
“Matt is fully fit and healthy, with a powerful desire to play some top AFL football for several years yet to come.”
Young and Warnock advised Demons list manager Tim Harrington late last week heading into Round 24 that he wanted to leave the club.
Warnock has completed the 2011 season in top form with Demons VFL affiliate club Casey Scorpions.
Warnock played 55 senior Demons games since his debut in 2006 after being taken through the 2005 rookie draft.
He is the older brother of Carlton ruckman Robbie Warnock.
Warnock played 13 games in the Demons defence last season and was emergency on six other occasions.
He twice finished inside the Demons top five fairest-and-best players.
The hard-nut back man finished equal fifth with star midfielders Nathan Jones and Colin Sylvia in the Demons fairest-and-best voting in 2009 when Warnock played 17 senior games, but missed the last four matches with an ankle problem.
He also finished fourth in Melbourne's top award in 2008 behind winner Cameron Bruce, Brock McLean and current captain Brad Green.
Warnock's move to another AFL club will now depend on a swap of either draft picks or another player Demons management is willing to take onto their young list.