Fremantle will enter this year's draft after a frustrating start to their off-season and currently without a selection until Pick 34.
The Dockers had just six players leave from their 2023 list, three of which were delisted while the other half were viewed as wanted players by the club but still left through the trade and free agency window.
After a disappointing campaign that followed an off-season where they parted with multiple first-round picks, the Dockers don't have the strongest draft capital despite their low finish of 14th.
Their most recent exchange window did net them a number of top picks for 2024, which could still help their cause at November's draft.
Draft Hand
Picks: 34, 46, 60, 64, 85
For the second year in a row, Fremantle won't enter the draft until midway through the second round after moving on their last two first-round selections last year in a trade with Melbourne for Luke Jackson.
The Dockers took four players last year between Picks 33 and 57, with Hugh Davies, Tom Emmett, Max Knobel and Corey Wagner all joining Justin Longmuir's list.
That haul came 12 months after the Cockburn club recruited a trio of top-rated local prospects in Jye Amiss, Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson.
Their hand for this year won't net them a similar crop, but their picks should come up the order after a handful of earlier selections are dissolved through Academy and father-son bidding.
The Dockers could very well trade themselves into the first round of this year's draft given they hold three opening-round selections for 2024, however they could reserve them for an aggressive trade plan for next year.
List Needs
Outside Run: The Dockers had hoped to retain NGA graduate Liam Henry before his trade request to head east was lodged, while transition smarts were also lost with the shock departure of Lachie Schultz this off-season. The Dockers do still have Michael Frederick, Sam Switkowski, Neil Erasmus, James Aish, Nathan O'Driscoll, Heath Chapman and Ethan Stanley to be used on the flanks, but they'll be spread across the field and some are prone to injury concerns. A player who can add some speed on the outside or more poise in the forward half should be of interest to the Dockers.
Tall Forwards: The Dockers have found one in the aforementioned Amiss, while Josh Treacy is proving to be a promising ruck-forward hybrid for the club to rely on in the years to come. A desire for further tall forward support comes amid ongoing injury issues for Matt Tabener - who turns 31 next year - and the uncertainty that surrounds ruckman Sean Darcy, with a potential departure for the latter set to see Luke Jackson move away from the forward line and likely take on a full-time ruck role. The Dockers have the untapped Sebiut Kuek and former Sun Josh Corbett, but another young attacker that can provide further selection pressure will be of interest.
Local Talent: A retention issue at Cockburn has been present in recent years, and while some of the wantaway Dockers were born and bred sandgropers, Fremantle can at least look to limit any potential further damage. A look toward this year's WA draft pool could help the club long-term following another off-season of unwanted exits. The need may see Fremantle trade their way up the draft order, with a number of good 2024 selections at their disposal.
Potential Targets
Aiden O'Driscoll: Could the Dockers draft a third member of the O'Driscoll clan after already having Nathan and Emma on their AFL and AFLW lists respectively? The younger O'Driscoll is one of WA's leading midfielders, with his athletics and running capabilities on full display at the AFL Draft Combine where he recorded top 10 finishes in all five tests, including the quickest time for the 20m sprint. O'Driscoll has been a good outlet option for the Perth Demons Colts over the past two years, showing off his speed and attacking prowess.
Logan Morris: Morris is among the top key forwards in this year's class following an impressive Talent League campaign with the Western Jets. Morris would kick the third most goals in the competition and earn his place for Vic Metro, with the Werribee Districts junior able to play much taller than his 191cm frame given his leaping ability. Another name for Fremantle to consider among the key forward crop of East Perth's Xavier Walsh.
Koltyn Tholstrup: Tholstrup is among a handful of WA prospects who could fall midway through the first round or early into the second. Lance Collard, Koen Sanchez and the Dockers' own NGA prospect Mitch Edwards are also in the 15-30 mix and would likely need to see Fremantle trade up their place in the draft order or hope one slips through to their first selection. Tholstrup offers plenty of forward flair, while Collard is a speed machine and Sanchez can play anywhere across the front half of the field as a midfield-forward utility. Edwards is one of the best ruck options this year but would need to still be available after Pick 40 for the Dockers to get priority access.
