Liam Henry

Contracted Docker Liam Henry to assess future: AFL trade news

Could the top-10 pick join the raft of Dockers heading for the exit?

Published by
Ed Carmine

Contracted Docker Liam Henry could join the raft names heading for the exits at Cockburn following revelations the 21-year-old is assessing his options ahead of 2023.

The sticking point for the former top-10 draftee has arisen due to a lack of senior action this season, with Henry donning the Dockers purple and white on just seven occasions.

Since joining Fremantle with the 9th selection of the 2019 National Draft, The Next Generation Academy talent has made 27 senior appearances under Justin Longmuir, however, Henry did not feature at all during the Dockers' finals run.

According to reports from News Corp, the flexible youngster is still seen as the understudy to his boyhood idol Michael Walters for an offensive role. The continued emergence of Michael Frederick has also edged the Western Australian further down the pecking order.

If a concrete view of the future cannot be constructed, Henry may soon join the ilk of Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs), Griffin Logue (North Melbourne/Sydney), Blake Acres (Carlton) and Lloyd Meek (GWS) in opting out of the port suburb.

Though no deals have officially been agreed upon, journalist Jon Ralph contended that Lobb's partner had already made the move across the Nullarbor, essentially sealing the 29-year-old's signature for a third club.

Ralph also contended that Acres' return to Victoria was imminent, with the former Saint poised to pen a three-year, $1 million contract at Princes Park.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Griffin Logue and Blake Acres of the Dockers celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 12 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on June 05, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Logue still has a $500,000 per season extension before him to stay on under Longmuir, yet, as stated by Kim Hagdorn on SEN WA last Friday, the defender-cum-forward is also mulling a tantalising offer to head to Arden Street.

“Griffin Logue (has) a really good offer for four years at North Melbourne, it was an increased offer from Fremantle, but nothing like what he’s going to get in the eastern states," Hagdorn stated.

Speaking in the wake of his side's semi-final defeat, Longmuir claimed that the growing group with ambiguous futures was now on the clock.

“I suppose the timeframe is going to come pretty soon,” Longmuir delineated.

“We’ve got the players for, at the most, another week, then they’re off on holidays, so I’d imagine we’ll get some answers soon.

“We’ll work through that. Trade period starts after the granny and we want to make sure we’re ready for that, so those conversations will happen in the next week or so.”

Ralph also anticipated that Fremantle would make inquiries about current Sun Josh Corbett in an effort to bolster a forward unit containing Matt Taberner, Jye Amiss and Lachie Schultz.

Corbett remains without a contract at Carrara and has not been deemed a free agent having served just four seasons in the Sunshine State.

 

Published by
Ed Carmine