The coming AFL free agency and trade period may yet deliver the Fremantle Football Club the key forward it has yearned for since Matthew Pavlich’s retirement in 2016.
However, will the acquisition of Jesse Hogan remove some of the apprehension that Victorian born/based players have about moving to the west?
Fremantle struggle to recruit key forwards. They tried and did not succeed in luring: Jack Riewoldt, Travis Cloke, Mitch Clark, Charlie Dixon, James Frawley and Jared Waite just to name a few.
The reasons usually cited focus on the effects that travel has on shortening players careers, and that due to those effects’ players were able to have longer careers based in Melbourne (as well as Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide). Not even significant wage increases could persuade them otherwise.
The example was James Frawley who chose Hawthorn and a lesser contract ($2.5m over four years) over Geelong ($2.5m over five years, where his best friend Jared Rivers plays) and Fremantle ($3M over five years). Frawley chose Hawthorn and has since signed a contract extension, rather than taking the guaranteed contract at Fremantle.
Yes, there are always other factors (success, family, other interests), but Fremantle (and West Coast) don’t seem to have as much trouble keeping players that are drafted from interstate. David Mundy (Victoria) looks set to be the second 300 game player for Fremantle after Matthew Pavlich (South Australia), while at West Coast Luke Shuey (Victoria) is a Norm Smith Medalist.
Shannon Hurn (South Australia) is a premiership captain.
Matthew Pavlich of the Dockers is chaired from the ground (AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
Fremantle’s 2018 list had 19 Western Australians, 14 Victorians, six South Australians, three Taswegians and one each from Queensland and the Northern Territory, while West Coast had 24 West Australians, 12 Victorians, seven South Australians and one from the Northern Territory. So, while the teams are dominated by West Australians, they also boast a wealth of talent from the eastern seaboard.
Luke Shuey. Norm Smith Medallist. Victorian. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)
Looking at the number of players Fremantle have targeted, the contracts available to them, it is difficult to understand what other reasons Fremantle (and West Coast) would struggle to recruit (outside of the draft) players based in Melbourne other than career length.
Let’s look at the acquisitions (excluding drafted players) of both Fremantle and West Coast since the end of 2012.
Fremantle
Danyle Pearce – 2013
Scott Gumbleton – 2014
Colin Sylvia – 2014
Harley Bennell – 2016
Joel Hamling – 2017
Brad Hill -2017
Cam McCarthy -2017
Shane Kersten – 2017
Brandon Matera – 2018
Nathan Wilson – 2018
In all that’s ten recruits, eight of them from WA originally.
West Coast
Jamie Cripps – 2013
Cale Morton – 2013
Sharrod Wellingham – 2013
Xavier Ellis – 2014
Elliot Yeo – 2014
Jonathan Giles – 2016
Lewis Jetta – 2016
Jack Redden – 2016
Sam Mitchell – 2017
Drew Petrie – 2017
Nathan Vardy – 2017
Brandon Ah Chee – 2018
In all that’s 12 new recruits, seven of them from WA originally.
So do the numbers show that it is a ‘go-home’ factor that allows the two West Australian clubs to recruit players form other clubs? The outliers being Danyle Pearce, Colin Sylvia, Xavier Ellis, Jonathan Giles, Jack Redden, Sam Mitchell, Drew Petrie and Nathan Vardy. Of these seven players only Redden and Vardy are still on an AFL list.
Mitchell’s acquisition for the 2017 season by West Coast was two-fold, to strengthen what was considered a weak midfield and to acquire an ageing star who brought a wealth of knowledge to the club (that knowledge helped win them the 2018 flag) to assist as a coach in the development of the midfield players around him.
Petrie and Vardy were slightly different. Their acquisition was as injury cover while the Eagles waited on Nic Naitanui’s recovery from knee surgery. Vardy had played four games for Geelong in the three previous seasons and was seeking a new start.
However, Petrie (who was Rookie Listed) like Ellis three years before him, had been discarded by his previous club, and the offer form the Eagles was the only other one available to him.
Pearce, (Port to Fremantle) and Redden (Brisbane to West Coast) seem to be the only ones that buck the trend, it may be money, it may have been a fresh start.
So what will the 2018 AFL Free Agency and Trade period throw up? There are some big names looking to leave clubs, or at the very least their managers are looking to increase their value.
Jesse Hogan. Is he off to the Dockers? (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Hogan, who has been courted by Fremantle before, at the end of 2016 stayed loyal to the Demons. For a young man of just 23 years of age, he has been through a lot. He left home as a 17 year old as part of the 2012 AFL Mini-Draft for Melbourne where he won the best and fairest for 2013 for the Casey Scorpions in the VFL. He kicked 39 goals in 15 games.
Injury ravaged his 2014 season, 2015 saw him win the Rising Star Award, but in 2017 his world was turned upside down when first his father passed away from cancer and then Hogan himself was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Does Freo land the key forward they have been craving, will it make a difference? Does the acquisition of Jesse Hogan change the perception of moving west, or is it just another ‘go-home’ case?
Either way, I’m hoping Freo can deliver Jesse Hogan!
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Freo tried to lowball for Hogan. Didn't work. He might end up at West Coast if he wants to come back to WA.
Chuznut
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. There are reports that Freo are offering him around $700k/season, which seems pretty high for someone who is a borderline afl talent that Freo doesn’t need, and seems to be more interested in coming to Freo than Freo is in getting him to come here? https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/10/08/afl-trade-wrap-day-2-will-setterfield-rory-lobb-tom-lynch-and-more/
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That won't happen either.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's actually a consistent line. How is that 'all over the shop'? Nothing changes with my position.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If he plays like Matera and Kersten, I can imagine I'll sing the same tune. Freo is unlikely to pay him much to come. It seems to be Rory's initiative at the moment.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
That's 1.4 mil a year Fremantle will pay.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Jesse Hogan will pen a 1.4 million dollar deal, I think its 6 years
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yep...agree. I think he'll stay too and come to Freo next year. But, who knows. Freo is dealing brilliantly over the past 3 or 4 years.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
'With a likely top 4 finish . . .' ! Wow! Wanna bet?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Like any of those 3 would want to go play at Freo.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Course he will change his mind Chuz, he is all over the shop he changes his tune every 10-15 minutes. Lobb Borderline, this is the bloke that reckons Ballantyne is better than Bett's simply no idea at all.
Chuznut
Roar Rookie
So I've got to ask, Don - now that Lobb has nominated Freo as his preferred club - if we pick him up, will you still consider him as a 'border line AFL talent', on par with Matera and Kersten, who is unneeded at Freo? Or will you be changing your tune, and spruiking him during the preseason as a fantastic pick up for the club, and a great player who is coming into his prime, and will play a major part in Freo's push for a finals berth next year?
paul cotton
Guest
hoges still has a year to go on his contract. there is a fair belief if nothing reasonable is offered he will stay in Melbourne & if & I know nothings guaranteed but if they improve & make finals again he can see a huge current future with the club. not something 2/3 years down the track key position class forwards do not grow on trees. look at boyd/mcmartin/patton etc. Hogan kicks around 50 goals a year & plays significant time in the midfield. he has a massive tank & can run all day. he is also only 23 & look at how many years of footy he has left. to say Nelae is worth 2 top 10 picks well Jesse is definitely worth that. I cant see the dees just taking only 5 or 6 for him & therefore trading a gun forward at age 23 for a lumbering backman at age 28. they will want more.
Johnno
Guest
From a Freo supporter.....I agree Anon. Although I think it is also because the forwards set up defensively particularly when the ball comes in slow. I don't think it is talent.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Remember, if the offer is still only $800k next year, Freo just matches it then...they don't have to go a year early.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo's offer probably didn't "match" Brissie's offer. That's why he hasn't yet re- signed. Next year he will be offered much more than Brissie's $800k if a club wants him. North will stump up $1.5 m. The compensation next year will be excellent. Our kids will be a year older and ready to step in and we get another year out of Lachie. With a likely top 4 finish now that all our injured players will be back, he is likely to sign up again mid-season. The only way Lachie goes is if we get their #4 pick plus Hipwood or Rayner (although we'd take McCluggage as well). That won't happen so he stays.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Neale has rejected Freo's offer to match the lions.....and i did listen to his speech he said he would be happy to play next year if he was not released this year. In other words he will be gone next year. He clearly want's out so pointless keeping him next year for less return, no doubt he is keen to play under Fagan who clearly is not as negative as Ross, and could even Captain them in future years which will not happen at Freo.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Did you listen to that speech? He said he would have 'no problem' staying if nothing can be organised. That indicates he might have indicated he'd like to take Brissie's offer if Freo can't match it but he knows that might be able to be done. Hagdorn and Hardie suggested he'd stand out of footy for a year. He mocked that. He said he had no contact until after the season was over. He also thanked Ross above everyone for his guidance...particularly with leadership. He'll stay unless Brisbane comes with an offer that's well overs. He'll stay.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Don- Why release Lachie for a new kid You ask? SIMPLE ! Because he does not want to be at Freo He made what was a farewell speech after winning the Doig medal last night and his request to go to Brisbane has not changed. Rosich said he will be held to his contract next year and did not expect he would stand out of football (like McCarthy did ) Surely Freo are not that stupid ? Obviously they would get more for him this year than next. It is more than obvious now that something has upset Lachie. Can it be mended if he is forced to stay another year ? Maybe !
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo gets Hogan and Conca...if Jesse wants to come...already. Why release Lachie for a new kid? We already have more young guns than any other club. We just need to hold some experience. That is what we missed this year.