This year marks the first season that the Fremantle Dockers enter a full WAFL partner club model with the Peel Thunder Football Club.

Under the agreement, all players on Fremantle’s list will have Peel as their host WAFL club, allowing Fremantle players not playing at AFL level to play together at one WAFL club as opposed to being spread across the nine WAFL clubs.

Fremantle general manager of football operations Chris Bond said the alignment was an important one for the club.

“The ability to have all our players in the one environment, playing a certain type of football, allows for the fast-tracked development of those players and there is a strong benefit to both parties,” Bond said.

“We think it’s going to be great for Peel, our players and the Fremantle Football Club.”

Chief executive officer Steve Rosich said the club welcomed the WAFL partnering model that will see the clubs aligned for at least five years.

“We are very pleased that this long-term strategic and important issue has been resolved and that the WAFC has been able to negotiate an agreement that bodes well for the future of both the WAFL and WA’s two AFL clubs,” Rosich said.

“In addition to enhancing the development of our players and ensuring best practice in areas such as player welfare, the positive impact of this initiative will be felt across the WAFL.

“Financially, the seven non-partner WAFL clubs receive a significant increase in their annual grants while the partner clubs will have reduced recruiting costs, salary cap savings and reduced costs for their coaching and medical staff.

“The WAFL competition will also be boosted by the continued strong linkage between the two WA AFL clubs and the WAFL competition, and the joint promotion of the game in WA.”

FREMANTLE DOCKERS MEMBERS SPECIAL OFFER
Head to Bendigo Bank Stadium this Saturday 22 March at 2.05pm for the WAFL round 1 clash between Peel Thunder and East Perth for the discounted Fremantle members’ price of $10.

Simply present your 2014 membership card upon entry to the stadium.

Entry is free for children aged under 16 years of age.