An eleventh-hour trade that saw Fremantle secure pick 2 from the Gold Coast Suns for Lachie Weller has the Dockers come into the 2017 AFL draft with two selections in the top five.
A hand of cards like that, if played right, gives them the chance to set up their future for a generation to come, and makes them one of the most intriguing clubs to consider on Friday.
Outlook
Draft picks: 2, 5, 42, 60, 66, 70
Trade period wrap
Out: Lachie Weller, Hayden Crozier, Harley Balic
In: Nathan Wilson, Brandon Matera
Click here to see the rest of Maddy’s draft analyses.
Losing Lachie Weller was a blow, as his form over the past few seasons has improved to the point where he looks likely to become one of the competition’s best midfielders. However, getting pick two for him was an absolute coup, providing their strongest draft hand for many years.
Harley Balic struggled with homesickness during his two years at the club, and while he has the potential to develop into a good player, there was no point keeping him. Hayden Crozier likewise had talent but was at times inconsistent, and his departure isn’t a huge loss.
Adding Nathan Wilson and Brandon Matera was shrewd – playing Wilson off half-back potentially frees up the likes of Darcy Tucker to play more in the midfield, while Matera will be a good replacement for Hayden Ballantyne, who is nearing the end of his career.
Wilson is a genuine gun, and the Dockers will be rapt to have given up only a second-round pick for him. Matera has been plagued by injury and inconsistency over his career so far but may flourish in a new environment. Importantly, both players hail from Western Australia, so there won’t be any risk of the ‘go home’ factor.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
What they need
With Weller’s departure they could do with some more midfield class, and likewise more developing ruckmen given Jonathan Griffin’s retirement and Zac Clarke’s delisting. They’ve bolstered their forward line in recent years, but it’s still an area that could do with work, particularly in the mid-sized forward area. Running defenders would also be good additions to the list.
Who they might consider
At picks two and five, Freo have the luxury of taking the best available player. That’s likely to be a midfielder, and any of Cam Rayner, Adam Cerra, Paddy Dow, Luke Davies-Uniacke or Andrew Brayshaw would be worthy additions. They might also look at someone like Hunter Clark or Darcy Fogarty here, but despite Western Australia natives Oscar Allen and Aaron Naughton being available here, I don’t see Fremantle taking either.
Pick 42 will likely be too late for ruckman Sam Hayes, but there are a few others in the mix. They may also look to some local talent, such as midfielder Brandon Starcevich, or to the WAFL. They have shown in recent years a penchant for drafting mature-aged players – Luke Ryan last year, Lee Spur and Michael Barlow previously – so it wouldn’t surprise if they looked at one or two to bolster their list.
Draft and trade strategy
I haven’t listed all Fremantle’s picks here, but they are likely to take seven, which would be a massive haul. Given that and where their picks sit, they’re well placed to take a pair of future stars with their first two selections and then look to address needs later on. Whoever they get at picks two and five are likely to be able to play next year, as might some mature-aged talent, which would be a definite benefit for their developing team.
This looms as another important draft for a side in a rebuilding phase, but with their trade period additions, they are building a nicely balanced list. It’s not often that a team outside of the expansion clubs has two top-five draft picks, and the Dockers need to make the most of it.
In a few years, we may well look back on this draft as being the most formative in Fremantle’s development.
Jon boy
Guest
Sorry Sir.
Don Freo
Guest
Do you mean "new" everything or "knew everything"?
jonboy
Guest
The headmaster once again making judgement of people trying to dictate and judge every one but apart from winning a couple of students most will not fall in line, When we were all little you never argued with the teacher because they thought they new everything but everyone gets older you become wiser and you do not have to listen to them any more.Hence the headmaster even worse.
dave
Guest
Which 2 players do Melbourne want Freo to pick for the Hogan trade next year?Or will we get him cheaper a year later? HeHe the go home factor works both ways.
Don Freo
Guest
No. You are critical of players. Achievers.
Don Freo
Guest
Interesting HJ. On the basis of your comments here, I have you on the same level as HTH. You seem to exclude yourself from that ilk. You'd have to lift your game if you want to change that perception.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
See I reckon "they" do care. But maybe in the reverse. What I see is a whole lot of attention seeking behaviours.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
pfft...anon melts away that's true, but he occasionally can't resist the pretence for "back and forth", which seems in reality just a chance for an audience to his copy and paste rants.
Macca
Guest
So in short Mattyb - both "predictions" you made were wrong, perhaps those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. AD - I wasn't even on this thread until Mattyb started talking about me and making incorrect statements as per usual.
Mattyb
Guest
Macca,Gibbs went to Adelaide. The GWS trade fell through after the Carlton board said no to trading pick 5 along with him,I believe Carlton supporters dubbed the deal 5for5,it was hardly a secret in the end. Maybe you know better and if so good for you I guess. My understanding was the deal was being discussed without Gibbs concent,but again I could be wrong but Gibbs relationship with the club obviously deterriated for some reason or another. Id suggest no one offered more money for Casboult than what I said he had on the table from Carlton and stayed,or stayed for less money.
Mattyb
Guest
AD,I don't watch much SANFL but the WAFL is far better than the VFL or NEAFL which I do watch,probably due to there being more seasoned players. The VFL won't be playing the annual game against the WAFL anymore due to recent blowouts which says a bit. The VFL is still a good comp though and can be accessed the same way as the VFL by putting in the postcode as 3000.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
That last comment probably wasn't beneficial for anybody, Macca. Also, cheers Matty for the 7plus hint! I might take use of that to watch some WAFL next year. It's a good competition yeah?
Macca
Guest
By the way Mattyb - just wondering how you think Gibbs will go at GWS and whether Casboult will have a big impact for Collingwood this year?
Stephen
Guest
AD - all good young fella. Your comments add much value from my perspective - for what its worth.
Macca
Guest
mattyb - yeah I hope I can get my predictions as accurate as yours the last couple of years, predicting the blues no time to win a game in 2016 and finish last in 2017, talk about Nostradamus. And I can't wait to watch some WAFL next year, I just have to stop having a life first.
Mattyb
Guest
Thanks for the comments Macca,hopefully this season your predictions are a little bit closer to previous seasons and that you can actually get along to a game or two. If you'd like to watch a WAFL game go to 7plus website and type in your postcode as 6000.
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - I take serious people seriously and treat childish people childishly, I'll let you decide which one you are. As for Taberner, the point was his performances were in the WAFL, I didn't have to see them to know that Dominating the WAFL is a long way from playing good AFL, Ross Lyon said tat exact thing.
Mattyb
Guest
That's fair enough then Col,let's hope you can show some consistency in that regard throughout the season then. I wasn't making that comment towards you by the way,it was someone else who tends to police every comment made for some odd reason,otherwise I'm happy to discuss my points of view with most posters. As for your club,I didn't feel you were commenting on football and were more making it about personalities so I was just reminding you that you have some colourful personalities support your club that aren't impartial to a bit of abuse or childish name calling which is what the discussion was about,especially when it comes to Fremantle. Tabener was actually coping an almighty wack last week before the poster involved admitted to not watching WAFL football that was extremely odd. I'd call that stirring things up,would you?
Don Freo
Guest
If you want to get geed up for Freo's season, get onto their website and watch the 6 minute interview with Ballas. Anyone who says clubs should dispense with heart and soul players before they are finished would benefit from this. The spirit leaders and the mentors are worth their weight in gold. North Melbourne and Hawthorn showed the folly of diluting club spirit. It is as indelible as a club logo.
Don Freo
Guest
It's pretty obvious who you were having a cheap shot at. Stand up and own it if you are talking about posters' standards.