Fremantle have secured generational talent Luke Jackson in a blockbuster trade with Melbourne, sending two first round selections to the Demons plus a swap of later picks.

As well as Jackson, Fremantle receive picks 44 and 67 in exchange for pick 13, Fremantle’s 2023 first round pick and 2023 second round pick.

Assuming the same ladder positions next season, the trade is equivalent to pick two in points for a player that was drafted at no.3 in 2019, went on to win the 2021 NAB AFL Rising Star and play a significant role in the Demons 2021 premiership win.

Growing up in Southern River, Jackson played colts for East Fremantle and grew up as a Fremantle fan.

The 21-year-old was utilised mostly as a ruck and forward by the Dees in his three seasons at the Club, however he has been described as a ‘football unicorn’ due to his 199cm height and athleticism that could see him utilised as an inside midfielder, on the wing or as a tall defender.

This was on show in the 2021 Grand Final where he was one of the Dees most influential players in their famous third-quarter comeback against the Western Bulldogs, where Jackson became a virtual extra midfielder as he both rucked and dominated at ground level.

Head of Player Personnel David Walls expects Jackson to be worth Fremantle’s significant investment of draft capital.

“Luke has been our number one priority all year and obviously throughout the trade period,” Walls said.

“He’s got so much versatility and so much scope to improve as a player. We’re really only scratching the surface with what he can do.

“He’s only just turned 21, when you look at what he’s doing with his relative age rating for a player in his position, he’s off the charts.

“In his draft year, we had him rated at number one in the draft.

“Even though we also picked up Hayden Young and Caleb Serong, with Luke being local, we’ve followed him for a long time going back to his juniors.

“To be able to bring someone as rare as him with so much talent and character, we’re just thrilled.”

JACKSON'S LIKELY ROLE IN PURPLE

Walls said Fremantle were pleased with their position for the current draft.

“For this year’s draft, there’s not going to be a lot of picks made and our picks will likely come into 40 and 60 after bids are made on Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher,” Walls said.

“We started this trade period with a first and a fourth round pick, we secured Josh Corbett with a fourth round pick. We have pick 44, and we’re happy to use that and a couple of late selections.”

Jackson joins Josh Corbett as Fremantle’s additions of the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period after the departures of Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker and Blake Acres last week.

The Trade Period will run through to Wednesday 12 October.

FREMANTLE DRAFT HANDS
2022: 44, 67, 76
2023: 2nd round (North Melbourne priority), 3rd round (North Melbourne priority), 3rd round (Carlton), 4th round (North Melbourne)

FREMANTLE LIST CHANGES
TRADED IN: Luke Jackson, Josh Corbett (all primary list)
TRADED OUT: Griffin Logue, Darcy Tucker, Blake Acres (all primary list)
RETIRED: David Mundy (primary list)
DELISTED: Joel Western (primary list), Connor Blakely (rookie list)