Fremantle Dockers

Ex-Cat joins Dockers training as WAFL star deemed ineligible for AFL list spot

A further four players have linked up with Fremantle this pre-season.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Fremantle have invited four players to train for the remaining weeks of the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period in hope of potentially filling their last remaining list spot.

Following the shock retirement of uncapped midfielder Luke Valente earlier this year, the Dockers lodged applications for several players currently listed with WAFL clubs for the 2022 season.

Valente's departure opened up a list spot for the Dockers to consider for the remainder of the SSP window, with former Geelong tall Blake Schlensog among the new batch of players joining Fremantle's pre-season program.

Schlensog gained reported interest in a potential career lifeline with the Cats and Tigers late last year ahead of the draft window, however a second opportunity in the AFL came to no avail.

A stellar 2021 campaign with South Fremantle has seen the 198cm swingman link up with Justin Longmuir's squad for this summer however, with Peel Thunder duo Luke Polson and Lachie Cullen also set to contend for a list spot at Cockburn.

Reigning Sandover Medal winner Bailey Rogers will also stake his case for the AFL in training with Fremantle, having recently overcome an Achilles injury that has hindered his off-season.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 04: Benjamin Rioli of the Bulldogs tackles Bailey Rogers of the Tigers during the 2020 WAFL Grand Final match between the South Fremantle Bulldogs and the Claremont Tigers at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on October 04, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The Dockers were unable to successfully add Schlensog's teammate Zac Strom to their train and trial list, with the versatile defender having not nominated for last year's National Draft - a prerequisite for SSP eligibility.

The Dockers will have until March 9 to decide on their final list spot for the 2022 season, however can opt to hold off on filling the role until the Mid-Season Rookie Draft in June.

Published by
Mitch Keating