Liam Henry

Trio of Victorian clubs tipped to move for off-contract Fremantle youngster: AFL trade news

“He’s still weighing up whether he still wants to be at that footy club and there’s going to be a heap of offers.”

Published by
Mitch Keating

Just days after Docker Liam Henry's breakout performance against Essendon talks have already emerged that Victorian clubs are expected to come calling for the out-of-contract midfield-forward.

Henry amassed a game-high 32 possessions to go along with eight marks, 514 metres gained, five score involvements and a goal assist in Saturday night's win over the Bombers - a performance that came at a critical period of the season for the 2019 top 10 draft pick.

The Dockers had moved to re-sign their contingent of attacking assets in recent weeks, with Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters and Sam Switkowski all recommitting to the club with multi-year deals in the span of a few days.

Fremantle also revealed small forward Lachie Schultz had triggered a playing clause in his contract to be signed to the Cockburn-based club for 2024, while the club is looking to extend the sharpshooter beyond the 12-month extension.

Henry, whose deal expires at the end of this year, wasn't among the spring of retention signings, with talks understood to be out on hold for the back end of the season.

The decision is anticipated to garner rival interest from Victorian clubs despite Henry's ties to Western Australia, having been a Next Generation Academy graduate at Fremantle.

St Kilda have been flagged as a club to "keep an eye on" among interest in Henry, while the Western Bulldogs and Essendon could also come calling, according to 7 News reporter Mitch Cleary.

Speaking on the Tradies Podcast, Cleary said clubs from the east coast were likely to make a move for Henry's services.

"He's still weighing up whether he still wants to be at that footy club and there's going to be a heap of offers," Cleary said of the young Docker.

"The clubs that I think will have a look and clubs that are looking for outside speed and dash; the Bulldogs, their wings have been a concern and remain to be something they'll focus on. He's got a relationship with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, so that's something for the Bulldogs to consider in whether they (target) Liam Henry.

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

"Then you've got Melbourne. Kozzie (Pickett) has a relationship with Liam Henry. They've got the first-round pick as well as part of the Luke Jackson trade, ironically from Fremantle. Do Melbourne get involved given they've got their centre bounce (midfield) sorted for the net few years with Oliver, Petracca and Viney? A bit of outside dash might be an option there.

"And then St Kilda. Stephen Silvagni was at Carlton when the Blues bid on Liam Henry when he came through the draft, that forced Freo to take him at the pick in the top 10.

"Now SOS is at the Saints, but a bit of outside dash, with a decision still to come on Jade Gresham who is well and truly weighing up his footy future right now and has been in a lull in form with the Saints... keep an eye on the Saints for Liam Henry."

Henry has played 34 games in purple since being drafted with Dockers stars Caleb Serong and Hayden Young, who have both already built promising careers in four years at Fremantle.

A number of other top 2019 draftees in Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Luke Jackson and Tom Green have also placed themselves among the AFL's elite in a short period of time.

Henry's potential as an attacking outside midfield option could be the most tempting factor for rival clubs in their list management considerations, with the Cottesloe junior flexing his agility and pace in Saturday's 32-point win over Essendon.

The 21-year-old will be looking to continue that level of form across the coming months as Fremantle plan to move back into the finals frame with nine rounds left in the season.

The Dockers' campaign continues on Saturday when they travel to Melbourne to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Published by
Mitch Keating