Gary Buckenara analyses Fremantle’s list after the 2020 season
It’s time for Fremantle to stop recruiting cast offs from rival clubs. The Dockers must identify definite best 22 players and go after them. List guru Gary Buckenara has two big names in mind who would make a huge impact.
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Jesse Hogan’s move to Fremantle hasn’t worked and the Dockers have a tough decision to make. Do they persist and hope he can recapture his best or do they cut their losses and trade him while he still has some value?
The trade to secure Hogan was a coup but a combination of injuries, off-field problems and the emergence of Matt Taberner has seen the former Demon overlooked even when fit.
He’s on a big contract and when you have money tied up in a player who isn’t a lock in your best 22, it’s a major problem. Especially when you’re in a position like Fremantle, which is gradually building towards finals with a young squad.
Justin Longmuir has made an immediate impact not only on the way the Dockers play but also their camaraderie. It appears this Fremantle team has bought into his game plan and culture.
Does Hogan buy into this? It’s a big question. Is he willing to get super fit over pre-season and commit to winning back his spot? These are questions a player like Hogan, who was rated as one of the best underage key forwards we’ve seen, has never really had to ask himself.
I would sit down with him and have an honest conversation and ask these hard questions to gauge his commitment.
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Fremantle is building a good young team with Taberner, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Luke Ryan all having the best seasons of their careers so far, while Rising Star winner Caleb Serong was a standout in his debut year. Add them to Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Rory Lobb, Stephen Hill, Nathan Wilson, James Aish and veteran David Mundy and it’s a strong base. Blake Acres also looked good late in the season after returning from injury.
Key defenders Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce and Griffin Logue are also very good players who have been dogged by injuries so far but Ryan and relatively inexperienced defenders Brennan Cox, Taylin Duman and Ethan Hughes did a good job covering them.
The Dockers are on the right track but still lack top-end talent to be a genuine finals contender next year, with too many role players who probably won’t win them a premiership. There are too many C-grade players – there are 19 – including Travis Colyer, Brandon Matera, Brett Bewley, Bailey Banfield and Sam Switkowski. They’ve had opportunities but have never really become consistent players. Some of the players I’ve rated as C-graders have had injury problems but if they get their bodies right, they have the talent to become B-graders, however, it’s a concern.
LIST NEEDS
The list is on the right track with seven young players with the talent to develop into A or B-graders, including Serong, Hayden Young and Liam Henry, but the challenge is to clean out some of the C-grade players and replace them with elite young talent.
Fremantle breaks down through the midfield and up forward so those are the areas to focus on. With Hogan’s future uncertain, they need to look for a key position forward – a developing one if he stays, an experienced one if he’s traded.
There is also a need for younger midfield talent that make good decisions, are quick and who use the ball well.
TRADE TARGETS
It’s time for Fremantle to stop recruiting cast offs from rival clubs. Identify players who suit your needs, would be definite best 22 players and go after them. Isaac Smith would be a smart option as an outside gut runner who makes good decisions and who can show the young players the hard work, commitment and team-first attitude it takes to be a successful team capable of challenging for a premiership.
Ben Brown would be a very good fit. He’s available and not only did he kick 60+ goals per season from 2017-19, he’s a great club man and would fit buy into what Longmuir is building. I would pursue Brown and trade out Hogan because I believe Brown would buy into the team-first culture that Longmire demands, whereas I have doubts that Hogan does 100 per cent of the time.
Robbie Gray would be a long shot to leave Port Adelaide but why not ask the question. He’s got so much class and can play midfield and forward and would add significant creativity and scoring power to a side that lacks both characteristics.
UNTOUCHABLES
Fyfe, Brayshaw, Cerra, Walters, Ryan, Lobb, Wilson, Mundy, Young, Serong, Hamling, Pearce, Logue, Taberner, Henry, Stephen Hill, Mitch Crowden, Sean Darcy and Minairo Frederick.
TRADE BAIT
If the Dockers can get a top-25 pick for Hogan, do the deal. While they traded pick No.6 to Melbourne for him two years ago, a top-25 pick now, after more injuries, form issues and off-field problems, it’s the best they could hope for and would be reasonable compensation. Cut your losses, move on and free up some salary cap space to chase a star.
Connor Blakely has fallen out of favour and would have some trade currency. I would ask the question of the Kangaroos about Brown and offer up Blakely and a second-rounder or even a straight swap for Hogan.
RATING THE LIST
A-grade: Fyfe
B: Hamling, Lobb, Mundy, Pearce, Ryan, Taberner, Walters, Wilson, Tucker
C: Acres, Aish, Banfield, Bewley, Blakely, Colyer, Conca, Cox, Darcy, Duman, Hill, Hogan, Hughes, Logue, Meek, Schultz, Switkowski, Watson
Developing (with A or B-grade potential): Brayshaw, Cerra, Crowden, Frederick, Henry, Serong, Young
Developing: Giro, Sturt, Thomas, Valente
What the ratings mean:
A-grade: Elite player on any AFL list
B: Top 10-18 player on most lists
C: An 18-30 player on a list
Developing: Aged 21 or under
CRYSTAL BALL
Fremantle is on the right track but are still a little way off challenging for finals. 2021 might be one year too soon, so I’d expect them to be in the mix in 2022. With wise recruiting list management and recruiting decisions between now and 2022, Fremantle can be a premiership contender in 2023-24.
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