Well, it’s that time of the year again when yet again our season is seemingly shot to bits, most other teams are getting excited at the prospect of playing finals football, and our attention turns to which players we can potentially target in the next trade period, however far away that is.
Below is a list of players from other clubs, contracted and uncontracted beyond this year, who could potentially make a difference to our current squad:
Brett Deledio (GWS) – exhilarating player when at his best, and has an impressive history of persistent calf issues. Can go a long way to filling the void left by the recently departed Harley Bennell. Will relish the hard Optus Stadium surface.
Daniel Wells (Coll) – sublimely skilled and still oozes class even in the twilight of his career. Former Peel junior, so will be familiar stringing multiple games together at Rushton Park when finally fully fit and available for AFL selection. Turns 35 next year, but would be good company for Deledio.
Jonathon Patton (GWS) – comes with a history of serious season-ending knee injuries, which traditionally aren’t one of the Fremantle strength and conditioning team’s strong points. Only one knee injury away from the curtains coming down on his career, so you’d back Fremantle on this one. Worth a punt.
Jeff Garlett (Melb) – mercurial on his day, but has struggled to get on the park over the past few years, so should have no problem slotting straight into the current Fremantle squad. Would welcome a nice boost to his super balance at this late stage in his career. Could be part of a trade for the extremely durable Ed Langdon, who has previously been strongly linked in a move to Melbourne.
Luke McDonald (NM) – a fractured fibula put an end to his 2019 campaign, but that shouldn’t deter Fremantle from throwing the kitchen sink at him. With all the learnings from how Fremantle got Michael Barlow to add to his career games tally after a broken leg of his own now well in the distant past, an extended stint on the sidelines would be a distinct possibility. Marketing opportunity for the free Big Mac if we win.
Paddy McCartin (StK) – multiple concussions would ensure he forgets he’s landed at Fremantle, so the go-home factor would be non-existent for the Victorian former number 1 draft pick. Still only 23 years of age, so has ample opportunity for several pre-season head knocks running laps around Cockburn. An invaluable mentor for Sam Sturt to ensure Fremantle’s 2018 first-round pick never makes his AFL debut.
Dylan Roberton (StK) – would be a fairy-tale return to Fremantle after several years taking his game to another level at Moorabin. May initially struggle to adapt to the modern facilities at Cockburn, but is an ideal candidate to finally fill the hole left by the exit of Jayden Pitt.
Lance Franklin (Syd) – his body has finally started to break down, so would give Jason Webber a plethora of options to permanently keep him out of the side. Would come at a huge financial cost, but something Steve Rosich could easily fix by adding a zero onto the end of the cost of everyone’s membership next year. Has experience pulling up sore at Optus Stadium.
