Fremantle’s latest deal in the AFL Trade Period will see Geelong forward Shane Kersten join Joel Hamling, 23, Bradley Hill, 23, and Cameron McCarthy, 21, as the fourth young West Australian to return home to WA to continue their playing career at Fremantle.
Fremantle secured the 23-year-old in exchange for the club’s fourth round pick 63 in the 2016 NAB AFL National Draft.
Originally recruited from South Fremantle in the WAFL, Kersten has signed a three-year contract with Fremantle.
Fremantle’s general manager of list management Brad Lloyd said the club was pleased to secure the “talented, young West Australian” on what was the last day of the Trade Period.
“Shane had a strong year in 2016 playing in Geelong’s forward line, where he showed his ability to play his role and kick goals,” Lloyd said.
“We look forward to Shane adding to Fremantle’s forward line and being a long-term player for the club.”
Kersten was drafted by Geelong with pick 34 in the 2011 draft and kicked three goals in his debut game against Gold Coast in round 14, 2014.
He spent his first two years at Geelong playing in the Cats’ VFL team, where he was the club’s leading goal-kicker in 2012 and 2013.
The 191cm Kersten played an important role in Geelong’s forward line in 2016, where he offered a second tall option for key target Tom Hawkins, kicking 22 goals from his 17 games.
Fremantle retain pick 7 (1st round) and pick 40 (2nd round) in next month’s draft.
