Another club has emerged in the sweepstakes for out-of-favour Hawthorn defender Jai Serong, with the Fremantle Dockers joining the likes of Sydney and North Melbourne in the race for his signature.
According to SEN's Sam Edmund, Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir met with Serong in Melbourne recently to pitch the idea of the 22-year-old defender joining his brother, Caleb, in the purple chevron next season.
Serong presents as a value option for the Dockers to bolster their defensive stocks, having struggled to play senior football consistently since being selected 53rd overall in the 2021 National Draft.
Edmund also reported that the Swans and Kangaroos are among the teams interested in Serong's services for 2026. AFL.com.au reported in September that the Essendon Bombers have also expressed interest in potentially acquiring Serong.
We can definitely add Fremantle to the list of interested clubs in out-of-favour Hawthorn defender Jai Serong.
Instead of being "guts up in the Bahamas", Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was recently in Melbourne where he caught up with Serong about the potential of Jai joining his…
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) October 3, 2025
Serong has lacked opportunity at Hawthorn, featuring in just 10 games since being drafted in 2021, and played exclusively in the VFL in 2025, ultimately making the 2025 VFL Team of the Year.
However, in five AFL appearances in 2024, Serong demonstrated his capabilities in the back 50, laying 2.6 tackles per game and competing well aerially, averaging a handful of marks and spoils per game.
He was also Box Hill's best and fairest winner in 2024, highlighting the level of untapped potential he possesses.
