Dockers “blindsided” by trade request
Trade requests are by no means rare occurrences, especially in this Trade Period which has seen a number of big names linked to moves away. Big players can move at any time. Despite this being the case, Lachie Schultz’s request to join Collingwood completely caught Dockers off guard. This request is making big headlines across Australia.
Ryan Daniels, Perth Channel 7 principal AFL reporter, claims the trade request “blindsided” Fremantle. According to Daniels, Schultz and the club had been working on a 2-year contract extension. Instead of receiving an update on negotiations, Fremantle were told Schultz wants out.
Dockers have chosen to address the media speculation head on. In a statement issued on X (formerly known as Twitter), the club said “Lachie Schultz has today enquired about the possibility of returning to Victoria for family reasons.”
The 25-year-old has just one year left on his contract, so even if he is not traded in this AFL Trade Period, it is likely Schultz’s time in Fremantle will end rather soon.
Troubling trend for Fremantle
Lachie Schultz is not the first Fremantle player to request a trade. In fact, he is not even the only Dockers player to request a move away from Fremantle this AFL Trade Period. Liam Henry has also reportedly requested a trade and looks to be on his way to St. Kilda.
Henry and Schultz are just two examples of players making up a troubling trend for Fremantle of their star players wanting to leave. Compared to other clubs, the number of players who have fled Fremantle is unprecedented.
In addition to Henry and Schultz, Griffin Logue, Blake Acres, Rory Lobb, Lloyd Meek, Jesse Hogan, Brad Hill, Ed Langdon, Darcy Tucker, Lachie Neale, Lachie Weller, Adam Cerra, Hayden Crozier and Joel Hamling have all left Dockers to join rival AFL clubs.
Some of these moves have been because of Fremantle’s poor performance on the pitch. Dockers have qualified for the Finals Series just once over the past eight AFL seasons. The betting sites have them as one of the favourites to miss out again this year. Other moves away have been a direct result of poor roster management by Fremantle higher ups.
Whatever the case, Dockers fans’ patience is running thin. The club will need to do something to get them excited before the start of the 2024 AFL season. Otherwise, it could be a really long year.
Collingwood looking to build on 2023 success
Unlike Dockers, Collingwood have been very successful in recent years. In addition to winning the Grand Final and finishing as Minor premiers last season, the Magpies have qualified for the Finals Series in five out of the last six seasons.
Collingwood is looking to go from strength to strength by adding Schultz. The small forward kicked a career high 33 goals last season and possesses an incredible engine that is useful in all elements of the game. However, Schultz will not come cheap. Someone like Jamie Elliott will likely need to be included in the deal.
If the Magpies can get Schultz, most pundits predict he would slot right in at Collingwood and make them Premiership favourites due to their existing talent.
Even without Schultz, the Magpies are big favourites to retain their Premiership title. PlayUp Sportsbook is currently offering $5.50 odds on Collingwood to repeat as AFL champions. The second favourite club is Brisbane Lions with $6.00 odds.
