Fremantle's list build should be studied.
The Dockers sit comfortably atop the AFL ladder after dropping a solitary match in Round 1 to Geelong, and are on a record win streak.
Intrigue around how Justin Longmuir got their club in tiptop shape is a point of interest, and the masterstrokes along the way that could help deliver the purple haze a maiden premiership.
Veteran journalist Mark Stevens and Digby Beacham speaking Zero Hanger's The Outer Wing powered by TabTouch, discussed the top five coups Fremantle has pulled off in recent years.
"I think we probably could go to a top 10," Beacham said.
"You could talk about a (Sam) Switkowski, who was a late pick all the way back in the 2017, he was pick 73. Isaiah Dudley was an SSP. Karl Worner as a rookie."
5. Patrick Voss
"He was taken as an SSP pick. He was delisted by Essendon. That was in February 2024. He kicked 37 goals last year.
"He's already kicked 26 from 13 games this year, alongside Amiss and Treacy as part of that three-headed beast forward of the ball that's combined for more than 90 goals.
"Pat Voss, he's signed up until the end of 2030. I think they'd be rapt with how they have been able to acquire him and the influence he has had."
4. Murphy Reid
"This is selling the young man short but Murphy Reid.
"He was Pick 17 in that 2024 National Draft. This young man has played 38 games, he's kicked 37 goals. Has not missed a game. Has not missed a beat since arriving at Fremantle.
"You saw what he did against Geelong. He's an exquisite talent and he could well be All-Australian in his second year, and he was a late first rounder.
"I think Murphy Reid and Fremantle are a pretty good union.
"Model citizen. He's slipped in. There's no egos. He's come in as an elite young talent and has slotted in. He's done everything Fremantle has asked of him and summer this year, according to those inside the four walls at Cockburn, was just brilliant. Did everything he could to give himself an opportunity to be better in year two than year one.
3. Sean Darcy
"He's not so much at the crossroads of his career, he's got to get fit and he's playing some decent football at WAFL level.
"But he was Pick 38 in 2016. He's a best and fairest winner at Fremantle, that was all the way back in 2021. He's played in excess of 130 games, and I still think he's in their best 23.
"Sean Darcy, as a big raw-boned kid, I think it was down there at Geelong, he was there for everyone to get, and Fremantle cherry picked him at a selection that surprised a few.
"And he's been very, very good for Fremantle when available.
"I think once he's fit and firing, it'll be Darcy ahead of (Mason) Cox."
2. Luke Ryan
"A two-time All-Australian who was taken Pick 66 in the 2016 National Draft. A very, very good player.
"He was a Simpson Medal winner in the 2017 WAFL grand final. He had to learn a bit of professionalism when he came into the AFL system.
"But when he's fit and firing, he is one of the first picked. He's a very creative player. I think he's a terrific zone-off player but he could be better one-on-one.
"But one thing Luke Ryan can do is play on talls and smalls. He's been very, very consistent since entering the AFL system.
"You'd be pretty happy to get a player with two All-Australians at selection 66 in the national draft."
1. Josh Treacy
"I've got a lot of man crushes at the purple football club but this young man, Pick 7 in the Rookie Draft in 2020.
"He's still only 23. He's closing in on 100 games. For mine, he's the best power forward in the competition. He's going to play 250 games for this Fremantle football club.
"I think in time he will be the captain. There's been the comparisons to Wayne Carey in the way he goes about it. He's got wonderful hands. He should be an All-Australian for mine.
"And again, he was a rookie draft selection. A lot of clubs would be sitting back and scratching their heads and say 'how did we see Josh Treacy arrive at Fremantle via the rookie draft'. It's unfathomable.
"And respectfully to other key forwards who have been very, very effective, you want your big, key forwards to play like men.
"To be that imposing individual. And Josh Treacy is everything that you want from a power forward. He's a beauty. He's one of the standout players in the competition."
