Freo set to use draft war chest to lure Richmond stars back home (West. Aus.)

[one-eyed]

Fremantle Dockers reportedly set to use draft war chest to try and lure Richmond stars back home

Jake Santa Maria
The West Australian
6 June 2024

Fremantle reportedly have their sights set on a pair of Richmond guns as they look to open up their AFL draft war chest to lure Tigers back home.

Liam Baker has been the subject of intense trade rumours with both WA clubs looking to lure the dual premiership player back home with the West Perth product’s contract expiring at the end of this season.

However, it is now reported the Dockers are also looking at chiselling out star forward Shai Bolton despite being locked in with Richmond until 2028.

“Fremantle is planning a stunning trade raid on Richmond,” according to Channel Nine’s Xander McGuire.

“The Dockers have launched a bid for Shai Bolton with the 25-year-old reportedly weighing up the advance.

“It comes as the Dockers also pursue Liam Baker with Bolton set to return to the side this weekend.”

Given Bolton is locked in for at least another three seasons the Tigers will command a high price should he want to leave, with him likely a central piece to their rebuild.

However, the Dockers have plenty of ammunition with three first-round selections, thanks to trades with Adelaide and Collingwood, and could offer a chance for Richmond to turbocharge their rebuild.

Baker could walk to the club via free agency should he not re-sign with the Tigers.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/fremantle-dockers-reportedly-set-to-use-draft-war-chest-to-lure-wa-richmond-stars-back-home--c-14922090

[lamington]

This is actually a trade I would entertain. Two first rounders with at the minimum one of them in the top 5 and it can accelerate a rebuild. Shai is contracted which gives us leverage and at the same time shai had had success with us and we won’t be able to rebuild fast enough in our current state for him to be in his prime and help us with a flag tilt.

I’d be tempted to pull a dodoro and ask for 3x first rounders like gws did with Jeremy Cameron but if the the picks are high enough ie first round being 1-5 and not 14-18 then a deal should be done

[Andyy]

Bolton is not a central piece to our rebuild.

As Simon said yonks ago, he's the cream on top. Baker is the one we should retain for the rebuild.

If they both want to go that's fine. Heck maybe we should convince them to pay Baker enough to get us R1 compo which would be pick 3. That'll do for me!

[Simonator]

I’ve been saying to trade Bolton for a few years now. However I’m not sure freo’s first round picks would be that good, probably late teens ? Would definitely want 1 top 10 pick to be included

I’ve become completely disenchanted with Bolton. For every brilliant act, there’s 5 dumb ones and I don’t think we need that sort of player with his poor attitude and body language amongst a young rebuilding team.

[WilliamPowell]

Xander McGuire, Eddie's son

I'll leave it there

[Andyy]

I'd be asking Freo to trade their picks for 2x top 10's.

If Baker's deal is big enough it could net us P3 which would be fine by me.

Pretty sure they can ask the AFL what the proposed deal's compensation would be and adjust it accordingly.

[Andyy]

Xander McGuire, Eddie's son

I'll leave it there

Never heard of him.

What's the point that you're trying to make?

[WilliamPowell]

Xander McGuire, Eddie's son

I'll leave it there

Never heard of him.

What's the point that you're trying to make?

Young Xander started out as actor on Neighbour's because his Dad got him the gig

He's now moved onto being a journo thanks to his Dad's connections

I old take what he says with a grain of salt at this point

[Andyy]

Good old nepotism.

Regardless if we ended up moving on Baker + Bolton and ended up with 3-4 top 10 picks I think that would be a good outcome.

Brisbane have P6 and GCS have P8 + P11. Both will have academy/FS bids to make.

We have stacks of picks worth big points from 22-71

[Knighter]

Baker is not a free agent - the journo is stuffen clueless

[taztiger4]

under contract till 2028 then the dill says "Given Bolton is locked in for at least another three seasons"

ummm, 2025, 2026, 2027 , 2028 - Think that is at least 4 more seasons

[Andyy]

under contract till 2028 then the dill says "Given Bolton is locked in for at least another three seasons"

ummm, 2025, 2026, 2027 , 2028 - Think that is at least 4 more seasons

He's contracted until end 2027 isn't he?

[Assange Tiger 😎]

The war chest

[Diocletian]

Then on trade their picks to West Coast for Reid #OperationHomesickHarley 

[one-eyed]

In reaction to the report, Kane Cornes wondered if the Tigers would even bother considering a trade for West Australian native Bolton.

The 25-year-old is arguably the cub’s only legitimate A-grader, now that Dustin Martin is in the twilight of his career, and losing a player of his ilk would badly hurt the rebuild.

The only way Cornes would consider it, if he were the Tigers, would be if Freo offered something remarkable in terms of draft capital.

“It’s a big go to try and get him,” Cornes said on SEN’s Sportsday.

“You’d hate to think the amount of money that they (the Dockers) would offer.

“There’s a rebuild that needs to happen, but I’m not sure it’s the right strategy to give away probably your most talented player who is contracted until the end of 2028. Unless there’s something extraordinary.

“We know the Dockers are stacked with first-round picks, they’ve done well in that space. Maybe they’ve turned their attention away from the likes of Logan McDonald, they’re happy with their key position players, and they’re trying to raid the Tigers.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/06/06/richmond-urged-not-to-consider-freos-stunning-bolton-raid-unless-its/