The Fremantle Football Club have confirmed four list changes to the playing list following the 2024 season.
Matthew Taberner, Ethan Hughes, Sebit Kuek and Conrad Williams have been informed they will not be offered contracts for 2025.
Originally selected by the Club with pick No.11 in the 2012 Rookie Draft, Taberner played 125 AFL games for Fremantle between 2013 and 2024, kicking 173 goals.
In his 12 years with Fremantle, Taberner was a consistent feature in the Club’s forward line, finishing Freo’s leading goalkicker in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
“Matthew has been a highly regarded member of our playing group for over 10 years now,” Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty said.
“Having been recruited as a rookie prior to the 2013 season, it is undeniable that ‘Tabs’ gave everything he could in his time at the Club. He leaves the Club as a two-time leading goalkicker and a Beacon Award winner.”
“The leadership he has shown at Peel this year and his investment in his teammates will be remembered. It has been so pleasing in 2024 to see him having the impact that he has had on our developing key forwards in particular.
“We can’t thank him enough for his contribution and wish him all the best with his future.”
Hughes played 107 games for Fremantle after being selected with pick No.13 in the 2014 Rookie Draft.
Hughes played an important role in the Club’s backline and across the wings throughout his 10-year career.
Hughes was part of Fremantle’s WAFL affiliated Club Peel Thunder’s inaugural WAFL premiership in 2016, gathering 20 disposals and five marks in the decider.
“Ethan is well renowned for his courage and selfless acts on the football field, but it’s well-known that he is one of the best Clubman we have seen over a 10-year period,” Brierty said.
“He is known for his ability to contribute to all aspects of life at the Fremantle Football Club and is renowned by his teammates for always playing his role for the team.
“He is constantly acknowledged for living and breathing the Club’s trademark - a legacy which Ethan now leaves.
“We can’t thank Ethan enough for his 10-year service to the Club and the way in which he has carried himself to make sure he made the most of every single opportunity in his time at Freo.”
“We also wish Ethan and his wife Jess all the best with the impending birth of their first child as well.”
Both Taberner and Hughes will remain part of Peel’s finals campaign, continuing this weekend with the Thunder’s preliminary final against Swan Districts at Steel Blue Oval.
“It speaks volumes to both players’ dedication to the Club that they continue to lead Peel through their finals series,” Brierty noted.
Kuek arrived at Fremantle via pick No.15 in the 2022 AFL Mid-Season Draft. The 23-year-old never made his AFL debut, but played 23 games for Peel Thunder’s league side, kicking 34 goals.
After suffering an ACL injury in July 2023 while playing for Peel, Kuek was placed on the Club’s long-term injury list in 2024.
Williams was a graduate of the Club’s Next Generation Academy and was selected by Fremantle as a Category B rookie in the 2022 draft period.
The speedy forward never made his AFL debut but featured 27 times across Peel Thunder’s League and Reserves sides during his time at Fremantle.
Brierty thanked both players for their contributions.
“It is always a tough time of year in the football industry when decisions on our players have to be made and I’d like to thank both Sebit (Kuek) and Conrad (Williams) for their contribution to the Club over the past three and two years respectively,” Brierty said.
“They will always be a part of the Freo family and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
Fremantle will provide further list management updates over the coming weeks and during the player movement period.
