Blake Acres is reportedly set to inform the Dockers he wants out, but the move has divided footy greats Matthew Pavlich and David King given the winger wouldn’t be departing for a hefty pay rise.
It was reported last month that Fremantle were prepared to offer a two-year deal, worth between $200,000 and $300,00 a season.
Rivals Carton, who snared former Docker Adam Cerra just last year, are said to have offered a three-year deal – valued around $350,000 per season.
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King said the potential Acres’ exit “hurts”, after finding his feet as a winger for the Dockers.
“The Acres one hurts. That would hurt because he’s become a really trusted wingman,” King said.
“They put that magnet there and know what they’re getting now – which hasn’t always been the case.”
Acres played a career-high 20 games this season and was arguably his team’s best in the semi final loss to Collingwood last weekend.
The 2022 season has been Acres’ best in his nine years in the AFL, after starting his career at the Saints in 2014.
But Dockers great Matthew Pavlich says the club needs to let the winger walk if he isn’t willing to commit for a lower deal.
“You can’t be seduced by talent,” Pavlich said on SEN.
“Blake’s had a good solid year and he’s a good solid player, but we’ve said this a couple of times, he’s not in the best 10 players at Fremantle.
“In terms of where you put your list and where you structure your list in terms of money and various things, you shouldn’t be seduced by someone wanting to leave.
“Yes, he’s been an important player this year, but he’s not a leader, he’s not even in their leadership team.
“Is he someone that adds value to the club? Absolutely. Do you want to keep him? Absolutely.
“But should you be seduced by the fact someone’s saying, ‘Well, we’ll give you x amount more money?’, well if you want to leave, that’s fine.
“If you want to leave for more money, that’s fine, but if you want to stay and play in top-four games and be here for a long period of time then here’s your option.”
Acres has played 45 games for the Dockers since arriving as a last minute part of the Brad Hill deal in 2019.
He’s now out of contract after signing a three-year deal when he landed at Fremantle.
But there’s talent looming on the wings, with Nathan O’Driscoll one player keen to cement his spot in the Dockers’ best 22.
“(Acres’) had a very consistent year and sometimes players in the last year of their contract do have very good years and there’s a reason for that,” Pavlich said.
“I’m not saying Blake’s that way, but I think if you’re looking at their best 10 players, he’s not in that and he’s not in their leadership group, so therefore, if he’s being offered more money somewhere else, if you’re Fremantle you’re happy to do that deal. Begrudgingly because you want to keep him.
“But if it happens that way, then so be it.”
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said he expects players to reveal trade plans this week before heading on leave, after their season came to an end at the MCG last Saturday.
