FREMANTLE had a relatively quite AFL Draft with just the two selections made in the National and then three in the Rookie Draft, two of which were homegrown Next-Generation Academy (NGA) members. With four of the five selections being forwards – three considered small forwards – the Dockers certainly had a positional target in their minds.

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DRAFT HAUL

NATIONAL DRAFT:

Pick 25. Adam Sweid
Pick 40. Tobyn Murray

ROOKIE DRAFT:

Pick 8. Leon Kickett
Cat B. Toby Whan
Cat B. Ryda Luke

>> CLICK each player’s names for full profiles & highlights

Fremantle had to wait until the last selection of night one to make a pick, and with it, bid on Essendon NGA talent Sweid. There was hesitation from the red and black before deciding not to match which meant the Dockers grabbed the player they rated incredibly highly throughout the year.

Sweid brings some serious X-factor to the front half of the ground with his speed and defensive pressure meaning he will likely become that small pressure forward. While able to lock the ball inside 50, he can equally hit the scoreboard, with a high work rate that enables him to impact contest-to-contest. At 176cm, he is less likely to make his mark through the middle – at least early – though the Docker would prefer him around the goals anyway given the retirement of Sonny Walters.

Sweid was not the only selection earmarked to be a small forward. A somewhat surprise pick came at 40 when Fremantle selected mature-ager Murray out of the Geelong VFL program. The 20-year-old booted 22 goals from 15 disposals across 17 games in season 2025 and also comes with serious wheels.

The Dockers triple-downed by including the draft-bolting Kickett who was a late addition to the National Draft Combine and tipped to go as high as the second round heading into the evening. Another player who boasts outstanding X-factor, speed and defensive pressure, Fremantle has reshaped its forwardline for the future.

Completing the draft haul of 2025, the Dockers secured NGA prospects Whan and Luke through pre-listing on the Category B Rookie List. Whan is a powerful left-footer who racks up the ball with great efficiency, and while not having the explosive speed of the others, does have an elite tank that enables him to work over opponents around the ball. Luke further added to the forward depth in this year’s draft with some explosive athleticism, but stands at 186cm and is more of a long-term prospect for the Dockers.

GRADE: B

Fremantle did gain some great value for its haul with Sweid as highly touted as top 20 at one point during the year, and then snatching up Kickett in the rookie draft after he loomed as a draft bolter. Two free hits in their NGA members of Whan and Luke made the overall draft a success. The grade is more based around the fact the Dockers did not really have a heap to work with, but they did make the best of what they had.