Fremantle have signed midfielder Blake Acres and received a significant haul of draft selections in a trade with St Kilda for Bradley Hill.

The deal has netted Freo picks 10, 58, a future second and future fourth round selection.

Fremantle have sent a future third round pick back St Kilda’s way as a part of the deal.

As a result of the trade, Fremantle will take two top-10 picks into the 2019 NAB AFL National Draft, holding selections seven, 10, 22, 58, 79 and 83.

Fremantle also hold three second round selections, as well as their first round selection, for the 2020 draft.

The result is a significant upgrade on the pick no.23 that Fremantle used to trade for Hill from Hawthorn in the 2016 trade period.

Hill went on to play 54 games for Fremantle between 2017 and 2019.

Based on the AFL’s Draft Value Index (using the 2019 standings to form the 2020 draft order for future draft selections), Fremantle have traded in 2538 points and traded out 395 points while swapping Acres and Hill.

The differential of 2143 points sits between the value of a no.3 pick (2234 points) and a no.4 pick (2034 points).

Acres was a first round draft selection for St Kilda from West Perth in 2013, taken at pick no.19

The West Australian played 75 games for the Saints between 2014 and 2019.

Acres had a breakout season in 2017, averaging 20.3 disposals, and he also performed at his best during an injury interrupted 2018 season where he was limited to 12 games.

The 24-year-old returned to regular football in 2019, playing 19 games and averaging 16.2 disposals in a utility role, where he played a mix of inside and outside midfield.

Fremantle list manager Mark Micallef welcomed Acres to Fremantle and thanked Hill for his three years at the club. 

“We identified Blake as someone who could fill a role for us with his run, his strong body and athletic profile,” Micallef said. 

“He’s 191cm tall, extremely versatile and we feel like he can be a really important part of the Fremantle team for a long period of time. We’re really excited to have Blake on board.

“We also want to thank Bradley for his efforts at Fremantle. He’s a Doig Medallist and he finished third in 2019. He was very well liked among the playing group and we wish him and his partner all the best in the future.”

Micallef said that the deal significantly strengthened Fremantle’s hand in both the 2019 and 2020 drafts.

“As well as Blake, the trade brought in more than the equivalent of a number four pick, and it allows us to take two top 10 selections in the 2019 draft,” Micallef said.

“With those picks we’ll be able to lock down two really key components for the next part of Fremantle’s future.” 

“We will also take a really strong hand into 2020 with three second round selections, which along with our first round selection, puts us in a really strong position.”

This is Fremantle’s second deal of the 2019 Telstra Trade Period after trading Ed Langdon to Melbourne.

Fremantle currently hold picks seven, 10, 22, 58, 79 and 83 for the 2019 draft.

As it stands, Fremantle’s 2020 draft hand is;
First round
Second round
Second round (received from St Kilda)
Second round (received from Melbourne)
Fourth round (received from St Kilda)