Fremantle have emerged from the 2017 NAB AFL Trade Period in a strong position to further build for the future, adding pick no.2 to their existing pick no.5 in the upcoming NAB AFL National Draft, while signing talented West Australians Nathan Wilson and Brandon Matera.
The club parted ways with Lachie Weller, Hayden Crozier and Harley Balic during the trade period but general manager of list management Brad Lloyd said he was excited about the potential created through Fremantle’s deals with Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the outcome,” Lloyd said.
“To come away with picks two and five in the draft is an enormous opportunity for the football club, so we’re really excited.
“On top of that to bring in Nathan and Brandon, both young West Australians who are 24 and 25 years of age, will bring some experience and also a high level of football ability to the club and the playing group.”
Wilson is an elite level running half-back, amassing the second-most metres gained in the AFL in 2017 behind Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin.
“Nathan is a half-back with really good ball use and speed, so he’ll be able to fill that half-back role nicely,” Lloyd said.
“He’s capable of playing that role for the football club if Ross decides to. He’s certainly got some great attributes.”
Matera is an exciting small forward with 101 games experience at the Gold Coast. The 25-year-old played some of his career-best football in 2017, including a six-goal haul against Hawthorn in round three.
“Brandon’s got genuine football nous, he’s a natural goalkicker and another good ball user,” Lloyd said.
“We wanted to add to the playing list and both Nathan and Brandon are highly skilled. Brandon’s someone that can kick goals through the forwardline and he’ll really add to our list.”
Additionally, Fremantle can look forward to November’s draft holding picks two and five – their strongest since bringing in Paul Hasleby and Matthew Pavlich in 1999 with selections two and four.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Lloyd said.
“You get some high-level players out of that part of the draft so to hold picks two and five is a huge opportunity and one we’re looking forward to using in the coming weeks.”
Respected football analysist Terry Wallace applauded Fremantle’s trade period, awarding the club an ‘A+’ on NAB Trade Radio.
This is on the back of Wallace awarding Fremantle an A after the 2016 Trade Period, where Fremantle brought in four young West Australians in eventual Doig Medallist Bradley Hill, Cam McCarthy, Joel Hamling and Shane Kersten.
“From a list management strategy point of view, we have a clear model in place,” Lloyd said.
“We want to get high-end talent and character into the football club.
“Picks two and five give us a great opportunity to do that. With our strategy of bringing home young West Australians and Nathan and Brandon fit that criteria and will be welcomed into the footy club.
“We’re looking forward to seeing them in action.”
