Fremantle wants to add to its balanced list at Tuesday’s NAB AFL Draft, says general manager of player management Brad Lloyd.
The club heads into the draft in Adelaide with picks 22, 35, 61, 74, 92, 110 and 128.
Friday’s NAB Pre-Season Draft and NAB Rookie Draft follow Tuesday’s draft.
Lloyd said Fremantle had its eye on tall players but overall was looking for a good mix.
“We have a good balanced list at the club but we always want to develop it,” he said.
“We’d like to get some height through the door.
“We’d also like a good mix of players.”
Lloyd said the National Draft was the result of years of behind-the-scenes research and a considerable amount of time for the recruiting team.
Draft Flashback: Stephen Hill
“It is the culmination of work from when the players were in the under-16s, a number of years ago,” he said.
“Throughout the year, we visit the homes of prospective players, we gather athletic, medical and psych data, which is a very important part of modern football.”
Lloyd said the draft was an exciting time of year for the club.
“Once you get to draft day, most of the work has really been done,” he said.
“It’s exciting and a bit nerve-racking at times, as you wait and hope the players you want are still available when it arrives at your picks,” he said.
Fremantle’s top pick is 22, but that may change to 27 with the AFL Academy system now in play.
Our picks
22: Fremantle received this pick from the Gold Coast as part of the trade for Harley Bennell.
35: The club originally traded this pick to the Gold Coast for Bennell, but received it back via a pick exchange.
61: Fremantle received as part of a pick exchange with Gold Coast.
74, 92, 110, 128
The NAB AFL Draft is on Tuesday 24 November at 4pm WST.
Stay tuned to fremantlefc.com.au and the club’s social media channels for up-to-date coverage.
