Delisted Fremantle forward Matt Taberner has spoken on his future and Dockers departure, stating there's no certainty he'll look to secure an AFL lifeline for the 2025 season.
While the club's decision not to offer the 31-year-old an extension came as little surprise to Taberner, the two-time Fremantle leading goalkicker has found some consistency and form at WAFL level late into this year.
Playing for Peel Thunder, Taberner has made 14 appearances at the state league level - his most recent being a five-goal haul against Swan Districts on Sunday to help book a grand final return for the Dockers affiliate side.
Taberner has kicked 32 goals for the year in the WAFL, having gone goalless just once while booting multiple goals in nine of his 10 most recent games for Peel.
Having battled with back and hamstring injuries in recent seasons, with form Taberner put forward was promising enough to keep his value in the minds of AFL clubs in need of key forward depth.
But "the right situation" would need to present itself for Taberner to be open to continuing his AFL career, with the 198cm attacker wanting to be certain his body will hold up.
“I saw the end at Dockers coming from a while back, but I haven't really thought about next year,” he told The West Australian.
“There would be no point playing next year if I wasn't confident in my body. I've got a bit more confidence after playing a good chunk of footy this year. It's something I have to weigh up.
“I remain a delisted free agent just to keep the options open for now. Having said that, I don't know. It would have to be the right situation.”
Taberner leaves the Dockers after 125 games in purple across over a decade in Western Australia, with a career-best year coming in 2021 when he booted 37 goals from just 16 games.
The form of trio Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson limited Taberner's playing prospects under coach Justin Longmuir in 2024, with just five senior opportunities handed to the veteran forward.
Collingwood, Brisbane and Melbourne are among the clubs who could show an interest in Taberner, who can be recruited as a delisted free agent this off-season.
