Ibbotson set for new Dockers deal

Fremantle’s Garrick Ibbotson has joined a host of teammates poised to re-commit to the club in the coming weeks, with talks well underway on a new three-year deal for the injured defender.

Ibbotson was set to become an unrestricted free agent this year but has resisted the temptation of the open market to chase an extension with the Dockers.

The three-year term will secure Ibbotson, 26, through to the end of 2017.

Ibbotson is the latest of a number of key Dockers set to announce contract extensions in the next few weeks.

Small forward Hayden Ballantyne, 26, is in discussions over a three-year extension, while Matt de Boer, 24, has almost finalised a new two-year deal.

However there are still a number of high-profile players yet to commit to Fremantle beyond this season.

Reigning Doig medallist Nat Fyfe is a priority re-signing this season but has yet to sit down with the club and discuss a new deal.

Grand final star David Mundy is also out of contract and eligible for free agency this year.

The 28-year-old has been tempted to move back to his home state of Victoria in the past and will attract the attention of a number of clubs should he wish to head east.

He is unlikely to announce his intentions until after the season.

Veterans Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin are both out of contract, but are likely to either retire or sign new one-year deals with the Dockers.

Ibbotson’s pre-season has been hampered by his recovery from surgery to correct an Achilles problem last year, however he has slowly graduated back to the main group in the past few weeks.

It is understood he will be made available for Peel's round-one WAFL clash with East Perth on Saturday.