Fremantle is also keen on West Coast’s top Next Generation Academy prospect.
Plus why North Melbourne looms as the busiest club come next month’s draft.
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WA CLUBS EYEING EAGLES NGA GUN
Fremantle has interest in exciting WA forward prospect Lance Collard, to the point where West Coast is considering trading ahead of the Dockers to ensure it still lands its Next Generation Academy product, according to Fremantle champion Paul Hasleby.
The Subiaco goalkicker has shot up club draft boards after a stunning back-end to his WAFL colts campaign, booting 10.1 in two finals to finish with 32.13 from 11 games and sit third on the competition’s goalkicking table.
Collard then impressed at the draft combine earlier this month with a solid 2km time trial result of 6:32 before running the fastest agility test of any prospect (8.157 seconds) and finishing fourth in the 20m sprint (2.923 seconds).
Blessed with an enormous leap, electric speed and great goal nous, as well as excellent defensive pressure capabilities, some recruiters believe Collard is the most talented WA prospect in this year’s draft pool.
Collard, who grew up a Fremantle supporter, is tied to the Eagles via their Next Generation Academy. Yet West Coast can only match a bid on him if it lands outside the top 40 picks — and it now seems highly unlikely Collard will slip past the top 40.
Should the Eagles trade their Pick 1? | 02:45
Speaking on SEN WA on Friday, Hasleby suggested both clubs were eyeing Collard at this year’s draft.
“Lance Collard – he’s the one. Watch for this to play out,” Hasleby said on SEN WA’s The Run Home last week.
“Fremantle’s first pick is (34) and there’s a train of thought that West Coast would like to get him and they would maybe reshuffle some of their picks to have a pick just before the Fremantle Dockers.
“He’s a talented small forward who could fill the void left by Lachie Schultz.”
The Dockers hold Picks 34, 46. 60 and 64 in this year‘s draft, while the Eagles have Picks 1, 23, 37 and 58.
ROOS LOOM AS DRAFT’S MOST ACTIVE CLUB
North Melbourne could be the busiest club at this year’s national draft, with the club expected to take as many as six players, reports AFL Media.
AFL clubs are now looking to the national draft to add to their list following a hectic exchange period that saw 36 deals lodged with the league.
Thirteen players have already departed North Melbourne since its 2023 home and away campaign ended, including free agents Todd Goldstein and Ben McKay to Essendon.
Despite trading in Dylan Stephens (Sydney), Zac Fisher (Carlton) and Bigoa Nyuon (Richmond) and signing SANFL star Toby Pink as a delisted free agent, the Kangaroos are expected to use five or six selections at next month’s national draft, according to AFL Media.
Ginnivan all smiles in new colours | 01:02
The Kangaroos hold Picks 2, 3, 15, 17, 18 and 57 after the trade period, but selections can now be swapped until November 10 then traded again live across the two draft nights. Foxfooty.com.au reported this month the Roos had been strongly linked to Gippsland Power forward Zane Duursma with one of their first two picks, while Tasmanian star Colby McKercher and Claremont utility Daniel Curtin are also expected to be in their mix.
Geelong, St Kilda and West Coast are also expected to be active, with the three clubs likely to pick four to five players.
Collingwood and Port Adelaide are set to be the least active clubs and likely use just one or two selections. The Power’s first selection is Pick 73 as a result of their frantic past two trade period, while the Magpies hold Picks 19 and 33.
