Fremantle will have three picks 40 and under in the 2016 NAB AFL National Draft after finalising a pick swap on Thursday with Gold Coast in the last minutes before the AFL Trade Period’s 2pm (AEST) deadline.
Fremantle, which had pick 7 (1st round) and pick 40 (2nd round) prior to the final hours of trading, added pick 35 (2nd round) and a future fourth round selection from the SUNS in exchange for the club’s future second round pick.
As part of the deal, Fremantle also upgraded the club’s pick 73 in exchange for Gold Coast’s pick 71.
General manager of list management Brad Lloyd said that in addition to securing four young West Australians during the Trade Period – Cameron McCarthy, Bradley Hill, Joel Hamling and Shane Kersten – having three picks 40 and under would see the club head to the National Draft in a strong position.
“It was part of our strategy going into the Trade Period to secure an additional second round pick,” Lloyd said.
“We were already really pleased to be able to get four young players in McCarthy, Hill, Hamling and Kersten to Fremantle during the Trade Period, so to head to the National Draft with a first round pick (7) and two second round picks (35 and 40) is a real positive for the club.
“We started the Trade Period without a second round pick in the National Draft, so to now finish up with two second picks to take to the draft next month is also a great result for the club.”
