Fremantle Dockers

Fremantle extend deals for trio of developing talls, emerging wingman

Four Dockers have penned new deals.

Published by
Callum Farquhar

Fremantle have locked in new deals for Patrick Voss, Liam Reidy, Ollie Murphy and Nathan O'Driscoll.

Voss, Murphy and O'Driscoll have signed on until at least the end of 2026, whilst Reidy inked a deal that ends in 2025.

21-year-old Voss initially joined the Dockers as a SSP selection after training with Fremantle during the pre-season. Voss debuted in Round 7 against the Western Bulldogs and would play another six for the year, whilst also continuing to develop in the WAFL as a key forward.

Fremantle train-on player Patrick Voss at Dockers pre-season training, 2023 (Image via Twitter, Fremantle FC)

His best AFL performances came against St Kilda in Round 9 (12 disposals, one goal and three behinds, four marks inside 50) and Port Adelaide in Round 24 (seven disposals, two goals and one behind), however he starred regularly at WAFL level, compiling 28 goals in 11 games for Peel Thunder.

His WAFL performance against West Coast was most notable, booting a bag of six goals and three behinds.

Voss said he is relishing the opportunity Fremantle have handed him.

“Coming over to WA to begin with, I didn't know where it was going to end. It could have ended in February,” he said.

“I've absolutely loved my time over here. I feel like I'm developing really well and some of the outcomes I've been able to get this year has been amazing so yeah, I've loved my year."

Reidy too has shown strong signs of development, earning a debut in Round 23 in his second year at the club. Reidy had a strong ruck performance in his first match, recording a team-high 31 hitouts against GWS.

The 24-year-old was selected at Pick 13 in the Rookie Draft in 2022 from Frankston's VFL side and has since been biding his time in the WAFL, developing his craft under the leadership of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.

Reidy's best WAFL performance came in week one of the state league's finals series, recording a whopping 65 hitouts, as well as seven tackles. The 204cm unit was also vital in Peel's premiership team, recording 36 hitouts and 15 disposals in the grand final.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Liam Reidy of the Dockers warms up before the 2024 AFL Round 09 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium on May 10, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Reidy said the last couple of months have been a blur as his career takes shape.

“I'm excited to get into it, it's been a bit of a whirlwind (couple months) to be honest,” he said.

“Working my butt off in pre-season and then playing through the season, signing another contract and obviously making my AFL debut was special.

“Playing the last couple of games of the AFL season was really good. I learned plenty and I'm eager to get stuck into next year and see what's ahead.”

Murphy's re-signing until 2026 allows the 200cm key defender to continue to develop in Western Australia. The Sandringham Dragons recruit was selected at Pick 41 in the 2023 National Draft and has since played for Peel in the WAFL.

Having surgery midway through the year, Murphy only managed ten games for Peel, however showed glimpses of potential on the training track and in his WAFL games.

Learning off of captain Alex Pearce, and other experienced defenders, has assisted in his growth as a player.

“Being able to learn off the defenders, being able to develop my craft at Peel and play some good footy there - I'm just trying to get better every day," he said.

Fremantle list boss David Walls believes Murphy is showing promising signs.

“He's a 200cm key defender who's going to continue to add to his size and skill and there's none better to learn his craft from than our key defenders, in particular captain Alex Pearce.”

O'Driscoll was due to come off-contract this off-season but has penned a new two-year deal to remain in purple, turning his back on reported interest from Port Adelaide.

The young wingman overcame injury issues to feature late into the year, while he was one of several senior players to feature in Peel Thunder's grand final win over East Perth over the weekend.

“I am stoked to say that I have signed on for two years,” O'Driscoll said. “It means the world to me. I grew up a Freo supporter from day dot.

“When I was six years old, I had Fyfe's (Nat Fyfe) shirt on. I loved him and Matthew Pavlich. To finally get it over and done with and stay here – it's a dream come true.”

The re-signings of the three big men follow in the footsteps of another Fremantle trio that put pen to paper, as Bailey Banfield, Sam Sturt and Corey Wagner all extended their contracts in September. The re-signings also come just a fortnight after the Dockers delisted a quartet of troops, including 100-game players Matt Taberner and Ethan Hughes.

Published by
Callum Farquhar