Building a strong list is about more than success in the draft, according to senior coach Ross Lyon.
While Fremantle’s draft class of 2016 has shown promise in 2017, Lyon says that that it’s vital for the club to continue to make the most of the talent coming through doors.
First-year players Griffin Logue, Sean Darcy, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan have all played more than five games in 2017 and have shown their aptitude at AFL level.
Snared at no.66 in last year’s draft, it was Ryan who stepped up last week against GWS, with a game-high 14 marks at half-back.
“It is critical, and we have discussed that,” Lyon said.
“There’s some pressure on our recruiting department to get it right, and on the surface they’ve got it right.
“It’s integrated with development, so recruiting departments are looking at how are we are developing them.
“Our physical program is really strong and our football program is really strong.
“The guys with talent that apply themselves seem to have come through over the last four or five years here, so that’s really important.
“It’s an observation but they’ve got plenty of work in front of them.”
Lyon said that Logue has the attributes to be a powerful defender.
Taken with pick no.8 in the national draft, the 19-year-old has shown steady improvement and glimpses of his potential from 10 AFL games this season.
“He’s a reasonable size, he’s 194cm and 97kg – he’s a pretty big boy and pretty powerful,” Lyon said.
“We’re really pleased with his development. He’s shown a capacity to learn, his game sense is there and that is developing and needs to develop.
“His body…he’ll only get quicker and more powerful and we’re pleased with his development but in saying that he’s got plenty to learn.”
Lyon said that Fremantle would manage the playing time of Darcy, who has shouldered the load as Freo’s lone ruckman since Aaron Sandilands’ season-ending injury against St Kilda in round 15.
From six AFL games, Darcy is averaging 33.3 hitouts, but Lyon said the 19-year-old is due for a rest – which may come this week against Gold Coast.
“We’ll have a look at it today, Sean’s really keen to play but Jon Griffin is fit and available and it’s about how he hits his markers today,” Lyon said.
“If he was short on, we would manage him.
“We’ve acknowledged that he needs to be managed, this might be the week, we’re hopeful it’s not, but it might be.”
