Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell is understanding of Lachie Schultz’s circumstances to request a trade to Collingwood, but could not guarantee a deal could be done during this year’s Continental Tyres AFL trade period.
The 25-year-old from Bendigo informed Fremantle on Monday that he would like to return home to Victoria for family reasons with a year left to run on his contract.
“We’re aware of some circumstances – as we are with all our players in the background – I guess some circumstances have arisen where Lachie is keen to explore a return home to Victoria,” Bell told Adam Papalia on 6PR’s Wide World of Sports.
“Through those discussions we have reminded Lachie – while we understand those circumstances – the fact that he is a contracted player, a much-loved player and a valued player - may mean that there’s every possibility that he plays for us next year and sees out his contract at least.”
The Club understands Schultz’s request to join reigning premiers Collingwood but if a potential deal could not be made, Schultz was understanding that he would still be at Fremantle next year.
“We understand how the player movement works these days and that is that players can request a trade to a particular club,” Bell said.
“So, we’ll listen to what Collingwood have to say and then we’ll make a decision based on those conversations around what’s best for Fremantle and within that there’s a really strong possibility that a deal isn’t able to be struck and that Lachie will play for us in 2024.”
Bell said Schultz is a much-loved Fremantle player since joining the Club with pick 57 in the 2018 National Draft.
“What I do know is he’s a passionate player – that’s why our fans love him,” said Bell.
“It’s why our Members love him, why his teammates have such great respect (for him) and he’s got a great relationship with his teammates and the senior coach as well.
“So, we’ll work through all of those things and there’s plenty of time to have those discussions and again we’ll work out what’s best for the Club.”
