The Fremantle Dockers have seriously bolstered their forward line ahead of the 2019 AFL season, signing key forward Jesse Hogan on a three-year contract.
The Hogan deal sees the former Demon become a Freo Docker with Freo also receiving fourth-round pick no.65 while sending first-round pick 6 and second-round pick 23 to Melbourne.
The deal sees the West Australian return to his home state after an impressive four seasons to start his career at Melbourne.
Hogan, 23, has booted 152 goals from his 71 games for Melbourne - more than the likes of key forwards Jack Riewoldt, Ben Brown, Josh Kennedy and Tom Lynch at the same point in their careers.
Hogan was drafted from Claremont with pick no.2 in the 2012 mini-draft, which involved 17-year-olds who were not eligible to play AFL until 2014. The pick was traded by GWS to Melbourne as a part of the Giants’ entry concessions.
He will join fellow key forward Rory Lobb at Fremantle, who was also traded to the club on Wednesday.
Fremantle general manager of football Peter Bell said he was thrilled to see Hogan join the club.
“Signing Jesse and Rory is an excellent result for Fremantle,” Bell said.
“Both players were very keen to join our club and we’re confident they will have an instant impact as a part of our starting 22, both in 2019.
“We’re excited about what they will add to our tall forward stocks, which also includes a number of exciting prospects in Brennan Cox and Hugh Dixon as well as established players Matthew Taberner and Cam McCarthy.”
As well as Hogan and Lobb, Fremantle have also signed free agent Reece Conca from Richmond during the Free Agency/Trade Period.
Fremantle also secured a swap of first-round picks with Port Adelaide last Thursday, which saw Freo receive first-round pick no.11, second-round picks 23 and 30, and third-round pick 49 in exchange for pick no.6 and a future third-round pick.
Also on Wednesday, Fremantle performed a pick swap with North Melbourne, receiving second-round pick no.31 in exchange for third-round picks 47, 49 and 55.
Fremantle started the trade period holding first round pick no.6 and fifth round pick no.81 (worth 1751 points on the AFL Draft Value Index) and now have first-round pick no.14, second-round pick no.31 and third-round picks no.43 and 65 at their disposal.
Fremantle’s current hand is worth 2235 points according to the AFL Draft Value Index – equivalent to the value of a no.3 pick.
Bell said it was crucial that Fremantle was able to both add experience and talent to its playing list for 2019 while enhancing the club’s hand at the upcoming 2018 NAB AFL National Draft.
“Through this trade period, we’ve enhanced both the short and long-term prospects of the Fremantle Football Club,” Bell said.
“Our three new players in Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb and Reece Conca will all bring something vital to the club in 2019,” Bell said.
“But we can also look beyond the 2019 season knowing that we go into next month’s National Draft.”
Bell also acknowledged the cooperation of the clubs involved in all of Fremantle’s trades on Wednesday, which includes Melbourne, GWS and Brisbane.
“Trade Period is often a tense time but in the spirit of cooperation between Fremantle, Melbourne, GWS and Brisbane, the deals got done to everyone’s satisfaction,” Bell said.
