The Fremantle Dockers may well be West Coast’s greatest threat in the race for the services of All Australian defender and restricted free agent Jeremy McGovern this year.
We heard some new AFL trade rumours last night that the Dockers are making a serious play to lure McGovern to the club in what would be a major coup and another chapter in a storied rivalry between the two sides.
The Dockers aren’t the only club interested in signing McGovern – Victorian sides are also keen, one reportedly already making him an offer of $7 million over six years.
However Fremantle might be in the best position to win McGovern’s services simply because signing with them would not require the native Western Australian to leave his home state.
They unsuccessfully attempted to lure home his younger brother Mitch from the Adelaide Crows last year.
West Coast reportedly offered McGovern a deal worth $4 million over five years before the start of the season but it appears likely they’ll have to bump up their offer to keep the star backman.
The reaction to McGovern’s defection if he did switch from blue and gold to purple would be something to behold.
There hasn’t been a player to move between the two clubs since they swapped Greg Harding and Daniel Metropolis in 2000 – who combined played just 15 AFL games for their new clubs.
For West Coast fans to see a 25-year-old two-time All Australian defect to their most despised rivals would be something else altogether.
Is it a good fit for Fremantle though? They have put a lot of energy into targetting mature key defenders over the years, including Alex Rance, Harry Taylor and Cale Hooker.
As things stand now though they seem to have a really promising group in that area of the ground with Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling in the senior side, and Griffin Logue a talented young prospect to come in.
McGovern would easily be an upgrade on any one of those three if they brought him in to play defence, and they could also consider sending him into the forward line where he started his career.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Of course, that might not be necessary if the Dockers were to land their other big target, as it was reported alongside the McGovern news that they are closely monitoring Jesse Hogan.
Hogan comes out of contract at the end of 2019 and has since before he even played an AFL game been the subject of rumours that he may look for a trade back to his home state, with Fremantle always seeming the most likely suitor.
Hogan has shown a really impressive ability to play a more mobile centre-half-forward role this year, roaming up the ground and averaging 22 disposals as well as 2.5 goals per game.
If the Dockers landed him they could ask him to play that role, have Matt Taberner as the target close to goal in a Josh Jenkins style role, allowing Cam McCarthy to play as a dangerous third tall.
Who knows if anything will ever come of the endless ‘Hogan to Fremantle’ rumours – certainly not until 2019 at the earliest – but the Dockers may look to recruit a different Demon at the end of 2018.
Fremantle are reportedly one of a number of clubs closely monitoring Angus Brayshaw after he was left out of Melbourne’s side for the first three rounds of the 2018 season.
Brayshaw, a former No.3 draft pick, had an excellent debut season but has struggled with concussion in the time since.
The Dockers drafted his brother, Andrew, with the No.2 pick last year. A third Brayshaw brother, Hamish, is listed with West Coast.
Angus comes out of contract at the end of 2018 and would have to weigh up his options if still only on the fringe of Melbourne’s best 22.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
In other trade news, it was reported last week that an AFL ambassador payment to Tom Lynch, if he decides to remain on the Gold Coast, would likely be worth as little as $50,000 or less per year.
It’s a stark contrast to the enormous ambassador payments that the AFL put in front of the likes of Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau as they looked to make a splash in the northern states.
There has long been speculation that the Suns would be able to blow any other team out of the water in terms of dollars thanks to the likelihood that the AFL would kick in a sizeable bonus amount on top.
Instead it seems that the race for Lynch’s services will now be a lot more competitive in terms of what contract value his Victorian suitors can offer.
While Gold Coast have reportedly already put in front of Lynch a seven-year deal totalling more than $10 million, it has been said that Richmond could have as much as $1.2 million per year to offer him.
So the Suns will most likely still have the superior financial offer, but it probably won’t be by so extremely large a margin as to make it near-impossible to refuse.
Hawthorn, his other main suitor, would be less likely to break the bank, but have successfully used the lure of playing under Alastair Clarkson to recruit many players before, and it could be a deciding factor once again.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
There's always a caveat when you speak in non-specific generalities anon. Even if we take out Pav's first 3 years (which includes his defence year) Pav's average is 2.24 goals per game pre-Lyon, while under Lyon he averaged 2.18 goals per game (2.27 per game if you take out his last year where Freo struggled big time). On Riewaldt, ok they were some fairly prime years, but he had prime years outside of that too and if we take the average from immediately preceding and following Lyon's stint (where he was 23-24 & 30-31) we have an average of 2.41 goals vs 2.48 per game under Lyon. Either way, both Pav & Riewaldt averaged well above 1.5 goals per game under Lyon. Next.
Don Freo
Guest
Pav played midfield plenty of times for Rossy. If you want to argue he played forward only, you shoot down your own argument.
Mr X
Guest
Also Callum Ah Chee
anon
Roar Pro
That's because Pavlich played almost exclusively as a forward under Lyon. He was a midfielder for Harvey. He played in defence, up forward and in the midfield at times for Connolly. Lyon coached Riewoldt when he was at his peak and basically unstoppable. Probably the best player in the league in 2009. next
GOB
Guest
Not forgetting that those first two premierships were won with some damn good players from Freo: Matera, Worsfold, Sumich, Jackovich, Hart, Irving, Jackson. And those were only the South Freo boys.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Ha. It's a fair argument that the WC's first two premierships came on the back of keeping Freo out of the competition, while their third came on the back of avoiding Freo in the finals. ?
jonboy
Guest
Shai Bolton would have to be a future target for Freo. Sam Switkowski could be the one gun small forward we are desperately looking for. Ross said he will get a chance soon.
Scorching
Guest
As an Eagles supporter I want Sloane but it just won't happen. He has family reasons to move to Vic. Can only see it being a Voc move or staying loyal to the crows Jetta is a fine player but the small defender is not a need worth addressing IMO Hall is flaky and not a WA boy. Conca is meh really. Fas and Bolton are not interesting me when we have Ryan and Rioli in the forward line That leaves the three I am interested in. Brayshaw would have to be fairly cheap with his history but the other two are guns. The problem is whether they want to come home. Cogs is in a team that seems destined to strongly compete for the length of his career while Cripps has apparently shown signs of dogged loyalty to the Blues. I wonder if their respective mindsets might change if GWS falter or if the Blues continue to struggle as much as they have so far this season.
Mr X
Guest
Eagles got to find immediate replacement for Gaff. Angus Brayshaw better at eagles Why don't the Giants trade Rory Lobb to eagles or dockers. He'd be good at the dockers. It might sound ridiculous but don't be surprised if the eagles make a play for Sloane. Neville Jetta Stephen Coniglio Aaron Hall Patrick Cripps Alex Fasolo Angus Brayshaw Reece Conca Shai Bolton Eagles should get one of those players by the start of 2019.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Waste of money. If the Dockers have a six-year plan with Fyfe at the helm, then the solid young fellas we already have in our backline will have developed into a notable force by the time their next GF campaign comes around (beyond McGovern's use by date). Johnson followed by Hamling can act as mentors in the meantime. Better putting the k-a$h towards the forward line.
Confused
Guest
I agree as the WCE defense is strong. Much more difficult to replace Gaff as he is vital in linking up the players and moving the ball quickly. The Dockers need a A grade power forward not a defender. I would make a over-price offer for Lynch or Hogan. Freo not going to win a GF without better offensive players to improve their scoring.
jonboy
Guest
''Walters'
jonboy
Guest
Good onya johno, there is a lot of talented players in the draft even late picks. Walter and Neale in the Fifties Luke Ryan 66 Banfield also and that is just Freo.
jonboy
Guest
Mitch had a chance to go to Freo said No, so there is no reason why Andrew will it is a dream, something to talk about.!
johno
Guest
I'll answer - maybe Sutcliffe The rest are retiring players, although if Sandi wanted to go on he could probably get a 1 or 2 year deal from a Vic club that doesn't have a dominant ruck but thinks they can compete (like the Dogs or Cats) But the reality is Freo will turn over those 10 players (or isit 9) in the coming 1-2 years. I dare say they will see 3-4 this year and the bulk the next,. This year Freo have an academy player who is worth a second to third rounder and a first round draft pick (so far). Who knows what can be done to get into the second or third round of drafting with future picks or packaging up picks to clubs that have lots of academy of f/s selections this year. The blues have quite a few coming through
User
Roar Rookie
With gov its always based in Andrew played for the dockers, with that logic seeing as Murray rance was a WC captain can we expect Alex to head west.
Matto
Guest
I feel sorry for his dad cause he played for freo. Plenty of " true blue working class freo men" that got to play for the successful Perth team.
13th Man
Guest
Yeah even as a Freo fan I can't see that one happening. It is very very rare for a player to move across town like that, especially a marquee player like McGovern. I honestly can see him either staying at West Coast or moving to Melbourne. WC to Freo and vice versa just doesn't happen. As for Hogan, hes the one i still have hope for, sure he committed to the Dees for now but I feel like eventually the lure home plus big money may be enough. Brayshaw would quite possibly be a bonus to play with little bro.
Matto
Guest
Guess he'd be more like Rance and only the second best defender in the comp
WCE
Roar Rookie
I'm more worried about Gaff going than Gov. If Gaffy's comments are anything to read by id say he's already made his mind up to go back to the heavily disguised VFL oh yeah that's right it's the AFL ....and leave this great club in the west. I hope Gaff stays and I hope Gov can see the club is heading in the right direction which should sway him to stay more than the carrot of money being enticed