With the 2016 NAB AFL Draft just four days away, we take a look back at some of Fremantle’s best players taken in the fourth round of the National Draft.
Cam Sutcliffe: No.71, 2011
Fremantle take selection No.71 into this year’s draft – a pick that has been friendly to the club in the past, delivering defender Cam Sutcliffe in 2011.
The 24-year-old Sutcliffe has already played the most games for a Fremantle player taken at a pick 70 and over. With 87 games under his belt, Sutcliffe is on track to surpass the 100 game milestone in 2016.
The South Australian stood tall in 2016, taking 108 marks, the third most for the club. In round 23, Sutcliffe managed 24 disposals, nine marks and five tackles as Fremantle restricted the Western Bulldogs to 49 points in a 20-point victory.
Michael Walters: No.53, 2008
Drafted from Swan Districts with pick No.53 in the 2008 draft, Michael Walters is up there as one of Fremantle’s best draft bargains.
The small forward has 177 goals to his name and sits sitting just one behind Clive Waterhouse, who is fifth in Fremantle’s all-time goal-kicking list.
A 43-goal season in 2013 saw Walters lead Fremantle’s goal-kicking for the first time while making the AFL’s 22 under 22 team.
Walters has led Fremantle’s goal-kicking on two other occasions in 2015 and 2016.
Ryan Crowley: No.55, 2002
It took three years for a young Crowley to break into the Fremantle side, taken again by the club with pick 39 in the 2004 Rookie Draft.
Renowned for nullifying the game’s best as a tagging midfielder, Crowley won the 2012 Doig Medal and the 2013 Players’ Award, going on to earn Life Membership and playing a total of 188 games for the club.
Paul Medhurst: No.56, 2001
In pick No.56, Fremantle found an exciting small forward in Paul Medhurst, leading the club’s goalkicking in 2003 and 2004.
Medhurst fell just one short of 100 games for the club, and was traded to Collingwood in 2007.
