From the AFL website:
Bell said the decision was influenced by a range of factors, including players the club had, from a list needs perspective, identified as potential draftees not being available at Fremantle’s selection.
“We also gave strong consideration to the resources required to transition a new player into our program which, given the reduction to the soft cap, are increasingly finite,” Bell said.
“It is generally our practice to make a minimum two-season commitment to young players that we draft, and for 2021 our preferred conduit is via the National Draft.
“Our preference is, as often as possible, to expose our current list to AFL playing opportunities throughout the remainder of 2021season.”