Fremantle checklist boss David Walls says Fremantle are out there for a key defender and ruckman at subsequent week’s AFL nationwide draft.
But their prime precedence will likely be touchdown the most effective obtainable expertise with their first choice, decide 30.
“It’s a little bit different for us this year. The last three or four (years) we’ve had multiple top 10 picks,” Walls advised SEN.
“But this year we’ll start at pick 30 and then we’ve got 43 and 44. I think we’ll approach it, basically the first pick will be, the highest on our list is who we’ll pick.
“And then the later picks there might be a little more list management strategy that we work on in the next few days to make sure we get the right combination and a few certain types to complement our list and to be able to develop.”
The draft, beginning November 28, will mark the primary since 2015 that the Dockers haven’t had a decide within the first-round.
Since then, Fremantle have taken 10 gamers within the opening spherical; Griffin Logue, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Sam Sturt, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Liam Henry, Heath Chapman, Jye Amiss and Neil Erasmus.
It follows the excessive worth the membership paid to recruit Melbourne premiership ruckman Luke Jackson, with the Demons touchdown the Dockers’ first-round decide this 12 months (13), in addition to a future first and second-round choice.
However, Walls didn’t rule out buying and selling away the membership’s remaining future picks to climb up the order with the 2023 second-round decide, acquired from North Melbourne as a part of the swap for Griffin Logue, essentially the most precious at their disposal.
“We’ll look at all options and if we could get up (the draft order), we would,” Walls mentioned.
“It’s a valuable pick. You’ve got to value it on wherever the club finishes on the ladder, that means pick 20 for next year’s (draft).
“If there’s a chance a club wants to give us a good pick for our pick 30 and we can slide back and get another second-rounder in, which could give us a really good shot at getting back in for the first round next year, we’d look at that.
“We’re very open-minded and it will be based on our draft board.
“If we think we can convert picks and pick in a better area to give us a chance of getting back in the first round next year (we will).”
Unless that occurs, Fremantle will head to the draft with picks 30, 43, 44, 65, 70 and 77 – though they’re unlikely to make use of their late picks.
Walls mentioned the Dockers had been happy with their present ruck and key defender shares however will look so as to add younger expertise in these areas after back-up ruck Lloyd Meek departed for Hawthorn whereas Logue joined North.
“Pick 30 will be the best player and then after that we’ll try and address the needs,” Walls mentioned.
“We need a developing ruck with Luke coming in and Sean Darcy going really well, we’re right there at the top-end but we need have one coming through to develop.
“And a key defender will be nice as well. We had great years from Brennan Cox and Alex Pearce last year, who got through injury free, and Joel Hamling’s back on the track and we’re look forward to seeing him play a bit next year.
“But we need a younger defender we can try and develop.”
Among the younger WA expertise anticipated to be obtainable when the Dockers be part of proceedings on day two embody key defender Jed Adams (Peel Thunder) and Hugh Davies (Claremont).
Fremantle have already proven curiosity in Davies, who has additionally spoken to Essendon, Port Adelaide and Hawthorn.
Both are anticipated to fetch curiosity within the second spherical onwards.
