Fremantle forward Hayden Crozier has been traded to the Western Bulldogs for pick 40. There was also a swap of later round picks with Freo’s future 2018 fourth round pick going to the Bulldogs and Freo receiving pick 82 in this year’s NAB AFL National Draft.
Fremantle general manager of list management Brad Lloyd said the trade with the Bulldogs has positioned Freo well for the upcoming draft.
“It’s good to get this trade completed, although Hayden is a player we value and respect, we’re happy for him to facilitate the move to the Western Bulldogs for pick 40,” Lloyd said.
“We would like to thank him for his contribution to our footy club.”
“From a Fremantle point of view we had a clear list management strategy to add draft picks into our footy club and securing pick 40 through this trade allows us to be well placed in the national draft.
“We currently have pick 5, two third round and two fourth round picks and from a strategic point of view we’re really happy with those picks and we look forward to the draft in the coming months.”
Crozier was drafted to the club via pick 20 in the compromised 2011 National Draft and debuted in round 10, 2012.
Drafted as a small forward, Crozier made the switch to half-back and utility for the last two seasons and has played 69 games in purple.
Originally from Melbourne, the 23-year-old said the move to the Bulldogs was based around a decision to be closer to his family and friends.
“I’ve obviously enjoyed my last six years in Perth, coming over as a 17-year-old kid you didn’t know what to expect,” Crozier said,
“I was three or four days out of finishing my last year 12 exams and then I was on a plane over to Perth to start a new career.
“I just can’t thank the club enough for what they’ve done for me over the last six years.
“The relationships I’ve built within the club, with obviously my teammates, coaches and support staff and everyone involved within the four walls has been fantastic.”
Crozier is currently on holidays in Austin, Texas with Joel Hamling and Shane Kersten and said the advice the two of them have provided was invaluable.
“They were in a similar situation to me last year so it was good to have them around while this was all going on,” Crozier said.
“They told me just to embrace the situation and a fresh start, enjoy being around family again and to work hard to earn the respect of my new teammates.”
“It was a dream come true for me to come over here and play for the Dockers and now it’s time for me to move back with family and friends and I’m looking forward to the opportunity with the Western Bulldogs.”
