Fremantle Dockers

Five trade targets for every AFL team: Fremantle Dockers

Loaded with a trio of first-round draft picks, who could be in the sights of the WA side?

Published by
Mitch Keating

Following successive off-seasons where required players flocked from Fremantle to rivals, the Dockers will be out to lure targeted talent onto their list come the 2024 trade period.

Losing Lachie Schultz, Liam Henry and Joal Hamling 12 months on from trade requests from Blake AcresRory LobbGriffin LogueLloyd Meek and Darcy Tucker has certainly hurt the club's premiership prospects since their top six finish in 2022.

But being home to half of WA - a state that boasts endless top-line talent - Fremantle should be in a position to lure some home state names back across the Nullarbor.

The Dockers are also in a stronger position this year than off-seasons gone by given their current draft hand of three first-round picks.

In our latest edition of our 2024 trade targets series, we look at the names Fremantle could consider come the trade period, and one left-field avenue for the club's recruitment team to consider.

OTHER TRADE TARGETS: ADELAIDEBRISBANECARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON

Liam Baker

One named who's been linked with the Dockers this year given his ties to Western Australia and contract status.

There's no clear area in Fremantle's list that is in need of top-line reinforcements, but Baker's versatility is almost unmatched in the AFL and could be a fitting addition to Fremantle's squad.

Able to play across half-back, roll through the middle as either a defensive or attacking asset, or float forward to have an impact on the scoreboard, there's not much the hard-nosed premiership Tiger can't do.

Liam Baker and Tyler Sonsie during the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Given Fremantle's draft capital, they could also be better suited to making a move for Baker's services ahead of state rivals West Coast, who are also said to be keen on the Pingaring product.

Cameron Zurhaar

One of the remaining handful of restricted free agents who is still unsigned beyond this year, with Zurhaar still weighing up his future despite having an offer on the table from North Melbourne.

The energetic medium-sized forward packs a punch with his match-turning traits, which often go unused in a struggling side like the Kangaroos. But as made evident in the Roos' recent run of form, Zurhaar thrives when the game is on the line.

Already home to similar-sized forward options like Bailey Banfield and Sam Sturt, Zurhaar would be a commanding fourth target option alongside talls Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Cameron Zurhaar of the Kangaroos is congratulated by Will Phillips after kicking a goal during the round four AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium, on April 07, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Given his free agency status, any move for Zurhaar should only come if a bid for the bullish attacker isn't matched by the Roos, with the Dockers unlikely to be keen on giving up high-end draft capital for the Western Australian.

Logan McDonald

It's likely any level of interest in Logan McDonald has cooled since the early stages of the season, with the emergence of Josh Treacy leading to Justin Longmuir's forward third being home to three tall attacking threats.

Treacy's breakout campaign has come at a time when McDonald weighs up his future, with interest from out west, as well as Victoria, arising for the former top four draft selection.

Having added in two extra first-round draft selections in anticipation of negotiations with the Swans key forward, have the Dockers already got the forward cattle required for a premiership tilt?

Could they see a world where all of McDonald, Treacy, Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson co-exist in the same side? Would a deal that allows Sean Darcy to depart and moves Jackson into the middle be best for the Cockburn club?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Logan McDonald of the Swans kicks a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 12 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 04, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

There are plenty of options for Fremantle to consider should they still have some interest in McDonald, who remains unsigned for 2025.

Riley Garcia

Another Western Australian who is currently off-contract beyond this season and has shown signs of improvement across the course of the year.

Garcia has enjoyed his best season yet at the Western Bulldogs but was recently dropped to the VFL before his club's mid-season bye round.

The midfield-forward role player has had some big quarters in crucial games for the Bulldogs this year, but was dropped to the reserves to work on areas of his game in what was a message from coach Luke Beveridge.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Riley Garcia of the Bulldogs in action during the 2023 AFL Round 02 match between the Western Bulldogs and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on March 25, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With the Dockers potentially looking at the half-forward or wing market, Garcia - a product out of Caversham - could be one name to consider.

2025 Draft Picks

The Dockers utilised last year's trade and draft period to collect further first-round selections for the 2024 National Draft, acquiring the early picks from both Port Adelaide and Collingwood in separate deals.

Those deals might've come as a proactive approach to potentially move for the aforementioned off-contract McDonald, who now may not be the list need Fremantle are chasing for this year's exchange period.

While still holding onto at least one selection for this year's count, could the Dockers potentially place two of their best selections for this year's draft on the trade table to attain better picks for the 2025 intake, strengthening their hand at a time when WA star Chad Warner is scheduled to have his current deal expire?

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Chad Warner of the Swans celebrates a goal during the round 10 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Carlton Blues at SCG, on May 17, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The level of interest in Warner next year from both Fremantle and West Coast is expected to be significant, so it might be valuable for the Dockers to be sure what they can offer in any trade deal trumps that of their state rivals.

Published by
Mitch Keating