In summary
Fremantle saved a spot on its senior list for former St Kilda and Hawthorn defender Zac Dawson, and the club faced no final hurdles in securing the 25-year-old, who has been training with the club. That selection addressed a lack of key defenders on the club's list, while the rookie draft was used to select the best players available. Interestingly, no key position players were taken in the rookie draft, with Fremantle continuing to stockpile versatile utility types. Clancee Pearce will return to the club's rookie list as expected for a fourth year.       
What the recruiter said
"Getting Zac Dawson was really important for our list management, to get that key defender to add some depth to our backline. Once we knew he was secured the next step was to take the best players available in the rookie draft. We've got around 240 games out of our rookies over the last three or four seasons, so our rookies have been really important for us." - Fremantle general manager of player management Brad Lloyd   
 
NAB AFL PRE-SEASON DRAFT

Pick 10: Zac Dawson, St Kilda
DOB: 22/2/86
Height: 195cm
Weight: 95kg
Lloyd says says: "To get Zac as a pre-season pick is outstanding for us. He fits comfortably into a key defensive post, he's had Grand Final experience and he's only in his mid-20s. Ross (Lyon) has coached him and was able to endorse him following the work of the recruiting staff, so he ticks all the boxes."
 
NAB AFL ROOKIE DRAFT
 
Pick 8: Lee Spurr, Central Districts
DOB: 27/7/87
Height: 183cm
Weight: 82kg
Lloyd says: "Originally from Queensland, he's been playing for Central Districts for the last four or five seasons. He's a rebounding defender with really good courage and he marks the ball well overhead. He made the SANFL Team of the Year this season and he's played in premierships, so he'll come in and give a good account of himself." 
 
Pick 26: Haiden Schloithe, South Fremantle
DOB: 16/6/93
Height: 183cm
Weight: 76kg
Lloyd says: "A running forward with really good speed, Haiden played colts footy this year and managed to play a few senior games. He represented WA in the championships and knows how to kick goals. He's got clean hands, is courageous and loves to tackle. He clocked over 100 tackles with South Fremantle this year, so he'll add some really good team pressure."
 
Pick 44: Sam Menagola, Hawthorn 
DOB: 7/3/92
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
Lloyd says: "Sam did pre-season with us last year and was drafted to Hawthorn as a rookie. He's a great size running midfielder/forward with really strong endurance. He injured his wrist this season, so he had limited football through the year, but he's got a strong character and athletic upside. He didn't miss a beat through that pre-season with us, so that gave us a lot of confidence going into this rookie draft."    
 
Pick 61: Jordan Wilson, North Adelaide
DOB: 31/10/93
Height: 180cm
Weight: 77kg
Lloyd says: "Jordan is a running back with a really good combination of repeat speed and endurance. He played a lot of footy this year - for the Northern Territory under-18s, with Ross Trevor College, and for North Adelaide in the 18s and reserves. He takes the game on and has a really competitive personality as well."
 
Pick 75: Clancee Pearce, Fremantle
DOB: 23/10/90
Height: 184cm
Weight: 93kg
Lloyd says: "Clancee deserves his opportunity. He's trained the house down and has really taken on Ross's program. His running has improved, so we're always comfortable bringing Clancee in as a rookie to continue his career at the club."