Fremantle are set to invest in youth this off-season, according to executive general manager of football Peter Bell.
Freo currently hold a first and second round selection for this year’s draft and Bell told Triple M’s Rush Hour that the Club had every intention of using those picks.
“As far as trade or draft, we're open to both, but our focus primarily is absolutely the draft,” Bell told Triple M.
“That's what we'd love to be able to do, we'll go back and use our early selections and maybe there'll be other opportunities to gain more picks, but we're very much draft oriented. We (don’t want to) completely shut off from other mechanisms as well but definitely, the draft is our priority.”
Bell highlighted that Fremantle remained one of the AFL’s youngest lists.
“I think we were the second youngest in the competition on the weekend (against Sydney) and we'll be younger again this weekend with Nathan (Fyfe) not playing and Michael Walters not playing as well, so we'll be even younger,” Bell said.
In regards to midfielder Adam Cerra, Bell reiterated that Fremantle were hopeful of retaining the midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
“He likes to take his time, that's his personality, he's a really considered young man,” Bell said.
“What we see is a really invested player in our program. He's driving to help us perform each week. He played very well on the weekend, with a couple of goals and really good ball use (against Sydney).
“I see an invested player, so I'm really positive that Adam will continue with us, but we want to respect his space to be able to make that decision.”
Bell added that Rory Lobb was a required player with the ruck/forward contracted until 2023.
“There's always a lot of talk at this time of year and there are more and more mechanisms for players to potentially move clubs,” Bell said.
“Rory is a really important player for us with the structure that he is able to provide as that tall forward and the work as a second ruck.
“Rory's a big part of our future and absolutely a required player.”
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