Gary Buckenara analyses Fremantle’s needs and potential players to target during off-season
TRADE SPECIAL: FREMANTLE has too many C-grade players and needs immediate key forward and defensive help. GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES THE DOCKERS AND NAMES TRADE TARGETS
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LAST year was one to forget for Fremantle and while there have been positive signs so far this season it would be fair to say the club would be disappointed.
The Dockers have some very good players on their list and none better than the captain, Nat Fyfe.
I know Fyfe hasn’t been a standout so far this season but we have to remember he basically missed the entire season last year and played through pain late in 2015. He’s still finding his feet and getting used to the tempo again while being sat on every week by an opposition player.
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Unfortunately though, there are a number of players at Fremantle who just aren’t going to help them win a premiership — I’m thinking of guys like Garrick Ibbotson, Danyle Pearce, Tommy Sheridan, Harley Balic and Michael Apeness — they’re C-grade depth players.
So a decision needs to be made — do they go back to the draft and rebuild? Or do they try and get a star?
The trouble at Fremantle is the club has been unable to find or develop replacements for Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin.
The forward line is the biggest concern in my opinion. The Dockers don’t have a key forward who can take contested marks and be that bash and crash type who presents further up the field as a get-out option at halfback should they need it.
Pavlich was a superstar but the Dockers never really had anyone developing underneath him.
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There was the failed recruitment of former Bomber Scott Gumbleton, while Matt Taberner hasn’t come on. He’s a C-grade player. Apeness and Alex Pearce both have long-term injuries but again, they’ve only played 28 games between them and I’ve got question marks on the former.
Cam McCarthy is more of a lead-up type but a good player and I hope he can get back to his best. He could play that centre half forward role but in order to do that he would need to improve his fitness and endurance.
Shane Kersten is more of a third forward, so the Dockers need one more big target with star power who Kersten and McCarthy can complement. They really miss Pavlich.
An experienced key defender is also a need.
When McPharlin retired at the end of 2015 if left a huge hole that former Bulldog Joel Hamling is trying to fill but he’s more of a second or third defender. The Dockers drafted Griffin Logue last year to be that bigger-bodied defender but he’s going to take time to develop and even he’s undersized at 189cm.
Fremantle need immediate help in the form of a key defender and key forward because with the youth they’ve currently got and will likely bring in again this year, it will be a 4-5 year wait.
WHO FREMANTLE SHOULD TARGET
Mitch McGovern needs to be a priority. He is a Perth boy and has already shown at Adelaide that he can take contested marks just as well as his brother, Eagle Jeremy McGovern. He would be an ideal fit.
Jason Johannisen isn’t a key position player but the Dockers could use more run off halfback and he will definitely be on the radar. He is a Perth boy, from East Fremantle, so the Dockers have the go-home factor in their favour. Imagine him combining with the Hill brothers? Dynamic.
Fremantle could also have a crack at Levi Casboult. He’s originally from Melbourne but is a free agent and that big power forward they desperately need. His marking and contested marking is his strength and his kicking has improved out of sight. He can also help relieve Aaron Sandilands in the ruck.
Steven May isn’t a Perth boy but Fremantle needs to be in the marketplace and pushing hard to try and secure him should he decide he wants out of Gold Coast. He is a big defender who can also rebound so he would be a mix of a McPharlin and Michael Johnson. Perfect for the Dockers.
Jackson Trengove is originally from Melbourne but again, would suit their needs and given he’s so versatile and can play back, forward and in the ruck he would really help.
What about Eagle Eric Mackenzie? He’s in Perth and is in and out of the West Coast team. Could the Dockers do the unthinkable and snatch a player from their arch-rival? He would fill that key defensive post and add more experience.
BUCKY’S FREO UNTOUCHABLES
Nat Fyfe, Bradley Hill, Stephen Hill, Lachie Neale, Michael Walters, Lachie Weller, David Mundy, Cam McCarthy, Aaron Sandilands, Griffin Logue, Connor Blakely, Joel Hamling.
Please note: AFL clubs have a list of a number of players they are targeting at the end of the season and this is the list Gary Buckenara would have in the hope of luring at least one to the club.
Gary Buckenara was Hawthorn’s sole full-time recruiting staff member from 2004 before the Hawks brought in Chris Pelchen and then Graham Wright as recruiting and list manager and expanded the recruiting department.
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