Fremantle head into the 2022 NAB AFL Draft with the intention of making four selections in the National Draft and at least one in Wednesday’s Rookie Draft, according to Head of Player Personnel David Walls.
Here is everything you need to know heading into the three-day draft.
WHEN IS THE DRAFT?
Round 1: Monday 28 November
Round 2-4+: Tuesday 29 November
Rookie Draft: Wednesday 30 November
WHAT PICKS DO FREMANTLE HAVE?
The pick swap window is now closed, meaning picks cannot be swapped until draft night.
Freo’s first selection is in round two. As it stands, they won’t make a selection until Tuesday. See the full draft order.
Round 2: 30
Round 3: 43, 44
Round 4: 65, 70
Round 5: 77
CAN FREMANTLE TRADE INTO THE FIRST ROUND?
Walls says Fremantle are unlikely to have a selection on the Monday night.
“We won’t rule anything out but at this stage we won’t be trading to move up into the first round,” Walls said.
“We’re happy with pick 30 as our opening selection and to see what’s there, but we’re open to anything, whether that’s moving back or moving up the order.
“We’re constantly chatting to other clubs and that’s a part of what the next couple of days is about, preparing our strategy and planning on how to maximise the value of our picks.”
HOW MANY PICKS WILL FREMANTLE MAKE?
The AFL requires Clubs to have at 36-38 players on their senior list and 4-6 players on the rookie list, up to 42 players in total.
Fremantle currently have 32 players on the senior list and four on the rookie list (Josh Treacy, Karl Worner, Bailey Banfield, Sebit Kuek).
Walls said Fremantle intend to take four players in the National Draft.
“We recently upgraded Lachie Schultz from the rookie list to the senior list, so that means we have 32 players currently on the senior list,” Walls said.
“We’ll use four picks at the National Draft which will leave two rookie spots available.
“At least one of those rookie spots will be filled in the rookie draft on Wednesday.
“We may also use the second pick in the rookie draft if there is someone available who we are after.
“If we leave that open, we have the option to invite up to six players train on with us over pre-season to vie for that spot.”
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR NGA SELECTION?
Fremantle have nominated four players as possible NGA selections in Josh Draper, Jasper Scaife, Conrad Williams and Chase Bourne.
Clubs are only allowed to match a bid on NGA players if they are selected from pick 41 in the National Draft.
If clubs choose to match the bid, it will be made using their next available selection.
If the players are unselected in the National Draft, clubs have the option to add them as Category B rookies. Each club is permitted to recruit up to three Category B rookies.
WHAT TALENT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT PICK 30, 43 and 44?
Fremantle head into the draft with their latest opening selection since using pick no.31 in the 2006 draft but recent history has shown Freo’s ability to find gems beyond the first round.
This includes in 2016 with Sean Darcy (37), Brennan Cox (41) and Luke Ryan (61), 2017 with Sam Switkowski (73) and Bailey Banfield (rookie), 2018 with Lachie Schultz (59), 2019 with Michael Frederick (61) and 2020 with Brandon Walker (50) and Josh Treacy (rookie).
“There’ll be a lot of players who are selected late in this draft who will go on to play a lot of AFL footy,” Walls said.
“There’s always players that go a lot better than many expect, so you have to back yourself in that you’ve done the work and you’ve prepared.
“With every pick, we’re looking for guys who are going to be a good fit for Fremantle and play a lot of footy.”
