AFL 2024: Fremantle unlikely to make trade play for Chad Warner

Fremantle football boss Peter Bell has clarified the Dockers’ stance on Sydney’s West Australian star Chad Warner.

Fremantle football boss Peter Bell has poured cold water on the prospect of the Dockers making a play for Sydney star Chad Warner in the current trade period.

Dockers chief executive Simon Garlick on Tuesday said “funnier things have happened” when asked whether the club would consider moving earlier for the West Australian midfielder, who is contracted until the end of next season.

But Bell reiterated that the Dockers did not expect to deal with Sydney for Warner in the coming days despite his reported interest in returning to his home state.

“He’s a player of immense talent. I think every club in the land would love to have Chad Warner in their line-up,” Bell told AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday.

Sydney star Chad Warner (right) is out of contract at the end of 2025 and expected to consider a return home to WA, but Fremantle is unlikely to launch a trade bid this year. Picture: Adam Trafford / Getty Images

“He’s Sydney’s player for next year, and that’s where we understand things will be.”

Bell confirmed that Richmond star Shai Bolton was yet to formally nominate Fremantle as his preferred situation but said the Dockers remained confident of adding him to their midfield-forward mix for next season.

“We’ve been in discussions with Shai and his manager for a little while now, but he’s very keen to get back to Western Australia,” he said.

“We’ve been in a lot of discussions – so hopefully that can come to fruition over the next week or so.

“(The right price is) more a question for Richmond, given that Shai’s heavily contracted. We’ve gone in with what we’d consider to be a really strong offer.

Peter Bell expects co-vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw to sign a contract extension to remain at Fremantle as he approaches free agency next year. Picture: Daniel Carson / Getty Images

“As everyone is aware, the draft is very strong, so the offer that we’ve put forward is strong in any given year, but particularly this year, we believe it’s a strong offer.”

Bell said talks with co-vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw were progressing “really positively” as the Dockers expected to secure his signature before he became a restricted free agent at the end of next season.

“Those conversations are going really positively with Andy and his manager Tom Petroro,” Bell said.

“Hopefully, that can gather a lot of momentum over the coming weeks. I can’t think of a player who’s more invested in the club.

“(There’s no threat) from our perspective. You rest a bit easier when the contract is done, but we see incredibly investment and connection from Andy and his partner Lizzie as well.”