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“Respectful” Dockers ready to swoop on Tiger: AFL trade news

“It (Friday’s pick swap) has potentially opened the door.”

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Fremantle has confirmed its interest in bringing Richmond star Liam Baker to the club despite heavy links to cross-town rivals West Coast.

Baker has long been linked with a move to his home state, Western Australia, and could join teammate Jack Graham, who moved as an unrestricted free agent, at the Eagles.

However, a shock pick swap between Carlton and Hawthorn that saw the Blues land Pick 14 ultimately put a move for Tom Barrass in jeopardy.

Barrass made his intention of moving to the Hawks clear, but it was understood that Pick 14 would be central to that, which in turn would've been on-traded to Richmond for Baker.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 06: Liam Baker of the Tigers
runs laps during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on June 06, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Now the Eagles are revising their offer for the two-time premiership player, leaving space for the Dockers to operate in, according to Fremantle EGM of Football Joe Brierty.

"It (Friday's pick swap) has potentially opened the door, and we'll consider what that looks like and have those discussions," Brierty told AFL Trade Radio.

"From our perspective, there has been ongoing discussions with Liam (Baker) over the journey, even dating back to his previous contract at Richmond.

"Our understanding is he still has a desire to get to West Coast, and that's the position they would like to achieve, and from our point of view, we're respectful of that.

"As I said, it's something that over a long period of time, we've had ongoing discussions with him, and he suits our list and our profile.

"If the opportunity was to arise, we feel like we've got the collateral to meet Richmond's needs and achieve the result for Liam to come to us.

"We're respectful there's a fair bit to play out."

Shai Bolton during Richmond's open training on December 20, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)

Fremantle has also declared its desire to land Baker's teammate Shai Bolton, with the club putting forward Picks 10, 11 and 18 for the premiership pair.

"We look at the talent of Shai and the situation they're in, and we look at the consistency of the market and feel like the offer is really strong for him," Brierty said.

"Ultimately, we need to be responsible as a Club and be balanced in our approach. We want to see Shai at our football club, but as it stands, we feel like there's a really strong offer.

"Those conversations will continue to evolve, but that's where it stands at the moment."

The Eagles are also understood to be leading the race for out-of-contract Carlton forward Matt Owies.

Published by
Aidan Cellini