Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich feels Fremantle have delivered on two key facets in the 2018 NAB AFL Trade Period, adding key talent to the club's list while maintaining a strong draft hand.
Freo started the trade period with picks 6 and 81 for the 2018 NAB AFL National Draft and finished with a pick in every round, taking selections 14, 31, 43 and 65 to Novembers draft.
Based on the AFL Draft Pick Value Calculator, Fremantle has upgraded its draft hand from 1751 points (for picks 6 and 81) to 2235 points (for picks 14, 31, 43 and 65).
They have also added four players in exciting key forwards Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb plus midfielders Reece Conca and Travis Colyer, while trading away Lachie Neale plus a future third and fourth round selection.
“To see Reece Conca, Rory Lobb and Jesse Hogan come through the door and those four draft picks maintaining a strong position in the draft – I think we’re really pleased with that,” Rosich told SEN, prior to the Travis Colyer deal being completed.
“Hopefully, that adds to what we can do in season 2019 and beyond. Our focus is on growing and getting back to finals football and consistent finals football as quickly as possible.
“There's been a plan, and I think well planned. Pleasingly, it’s being executed.”
Rosich said it was key to maintain a pick in the first round for next month's draft.
“To have those four picks now to compliment what we’ve done over the past few years, bringing the likes of Griffin Logue, Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra as our first round draft picks, we have another first-round one pick in no.14,” Rosich said.
“To be able to maintain that hand I think has been a great outcome, remembering that we started the trade period with only pick 6 and 81. So to have 14, 31, 43 and 65, I think is a really good hand.”
Rosich paid tribute to Neale, who won two Doig Medals in his seven seasons at Fremantle.
As a part of the deal with Brisbane, Fremantle received selections six and 19, which were crucial in securing both Hogan and Lobb.
“Lachie would have been happy to be a Fremantle Docker in 2019 but as it played out, all parties are comfortable with how it was finalised,” Neale said.
“We got those two first-round draft picks in, which is a significant deal for any player.
“Respecting that Lachie is a great person and a great player, it is still a great deal for us and we were able to utilise that accordingly but to also bring players in and maintain our draft hand in November.”
