Fremantle has continued its trend of recruiting homegrown talent, securing athletically gifted key defender Griffin Logue with pick No.8 at Friday's NAB AFL Draft.
After bringing home four WA-raised players – Bradley Hill (Hawthorn), Joel Hamling (Western Bulldogs), Shane Kersten (Geelong) and Cam McCarthy (Greater Western Sydney) – during the NAB AFL Trade Period, the Dockers bolstered their backline with Logue.
The Swan Districts product shapes as a ready-to-play defender, who has impressed with his intercept marking ability as well as his remarkable running ability for a 194cm big man.
Logue broke 10 minutes for the 3km time trial at the recent NAB AFL Draft Combine and was joint winner of the beep test, and shot into top-10 calculations after a stellar finish to the season.
"He really fit around that pick (eight) because he's got a big body and he's got really elite athletic capabilities and he can play a number of spots as a key defender, third tall and we've seen him go through the midfield as well," list manager Brad Lloyd told AFL.com.au.
"He's an outstanding character as well, so we felt like he really fit and on top of that he's a local West Australian boy as well – which didn't hurt.
"Particularly in the trade period, we're trying to get players to come to the club, so players that want to return home, there's more opportunity there we feel.
"In the draft it's a little bit harder, so if it's a close call, it's good to go the local, but if there's a bit of a gap we'll take the best player."
Meanwhile, the Freo Dockers have planned ahead for life after giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands by snaring 202cm and 110kg Geelong Falcons big man Sean Darcy – who has drawn comparisons with Shane Mumford - with their second pick in the draft.
"He's got the big, heavy body already, so it's more about stripping him back than having to put on weight like some of the skinny ruckmen," Lloyd said.
"We look around the competition, some of those big, heavy boys are the ones playing really good AFL footy."
VFL gun Luke Ryan also made his way to the port club via pick 66 after a stellar season in defence for Coburg, where he averaged 9.4 intercept possessions per game.
Selection No.8 – Griffin Logue
Brad Lloyd says: "I saw him play a great game in Joondalup towards the end of the year through the midfield and he had over 30 possessions, so I think he's got the ability to do that. But I think early he'll play more down back."
Selection No.38 – Sean Darcy
Brad Lloyd says: "He's a competitor, we feel he's got really good ruck ability already and we feel like there's some athletic ability there as well, and he's also intelligent."
Selection No.41 – Brennan Cox
Brad Lloyd says: "He played a lot as a key forward during the year but also swung across as a key back as well, so he's got that ability to play both ends. He's 194cm, he's pretty quick – he did a 2.95 (20m sprint) at the combine – so he's got good athletic ability."
Selection No.66 – Luke Ryan
Brad Lloyd says: "He had been touted a bit higher at different stages. He's played really good VFL footy, he's an elite kick of the ball and reads the flight of the ball well across half-back. We were rapt he was there with a late pick."
