Freo aim to trade for top-10 pick
Fremantle will attempt to upgrade their first pick in next month's national draft before the end of the trade period - and are willing to give up a player to secure a selection inside the top 10.
The AFL's decision to grant Melbourne pick No.3 as compensation for losing James Frawley to Hawthorn has pushed the Dockers' first selection back to 13.
And thewest.com.au understands Fremantle's priority after missing out on Frawley is to secure as high a draft pick as possible.
The club is desperate to add one of the country's best young talls to its list to address a shortage of key position players at either end of the ground.
Fremantle football manager Chris Bond confirmed on Monday that veteran full-back Luke McPharlin would play on in 2015, but the Dockers still need a replacement key defender to fill his shoes beyond next season.
Calder Cannons defender Jake Lever (194cm) and West Adelaide tall Sam Durdin (196cm) are two potential targets, the pair tipped to be drafted midway through the first round.
It is understood Fremantle would be willing to trade pick 13 and a player already on their list in exchange for a single higher draft selection.
Contracted ruckmen Jon Griffin and Jack Hannath are viewed as potential trade options.
Adelaide and Richmond, who hold picks 10 and 12 respectively, are both lacking depth in their ruck stocks.
Hannath, 23, has played 15 games for Fremantle in the past two seasons, but only three of those came this year.
He was originally drafted from Central District and could have some appeal for the Crows.
The Dockers have to either trade or cut one more player to have the minimum three vacant senior list positions required for draftees. Wayward midfielder Josh Simpson is most at risk if a trade is not achieved.
His manager Jason Dover told AFL Trade Radio earlier this week that Simpson's future would be decided at a meeting after the trade period ended next Thursday.
"They've been quite transparent ... depending on what happens during the trade period, that might influence where they sit with Josh," Dover said.
Fremantle have shown a desire to improve their draft position rather than trading in players in past off-seasons.
