SEN news breaker Sam McClure has revealed Fremantle turned down a massive offer from the Gold Coast Suns for talented youngster Lachie Weller.
Weller has flagged his interest in going to the Suns, where he played with their developmental academy. It is understood Weller’s parents will be moving back to the Gold Coast, while the 21-year-old has said it would be a move his girlfriend, and her family, would welcome.
The Dockers asked for the Suns’ second overall draft pick initially, before Gold Coast countered with a packed offer – one Fremantle dramatically rejected.
“The Fremantle Dockers knocked back picks 21, 24 and 26 and Brandon Matera for Lachie Weller,” McClure told SEN Breakfast.
“They went to the board yesterday and had it signed off by the Fremantle Dockers board that they would not be accepting a deal for anything less than a pick lower than theirs. They have pick five, they will only be accepting a deal that has picks one, two, three or four in it.”
Matera is a Western Australian native and wants to return home.
According to Jon Ralph of the Herald Sun, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has “personally intervened” in any potential swap involving Weller.
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon told SEN Breakfast earlier this week that the Southport Sharks is worthy of the high price the Dockers have placed on him.
“Lachie Weller is a damn good player,” he said.
“We don’t see enough of them but if you watch Fremantle regularly and consistently, you’ll see he is a very very good footballer.
“He wouldn’t be far off a top six-or-eight if he was in this years draft. I think he is a top 10 pick.”
Weller’s manager Peter Blucher outlined the reasons behind his client’s request.
“He just wants to come home,” he told SEN.
“He grew up and went to school on the Gold Coast, his long-time girlfriend lived on the Gold Coast and her family is there. Lachie’s parents will come back here, they’re in Melbourne at the minute, but they will come back as their business is based here.
“He had a four year contract extension put on the table from Freo and only when he really sat down to consider what all that meant did the reality hit that he doesn’t want to live in Perth the next five years.
“Freo has been good for him, but it is just a long way from home. At the end of the season he came straight back to the Gold Coast, flew back for the best-and-fairest last weekend and was on the next plane out. It’s just the reality that this is where his home is.
“[His brother] Maverick [Weller] might well end up back in Queensland as well because it is sort of the family home now.”
Weller, originally from Tasmania, has played 47 games for the Dockers, kicking 17 goals.
He played all 22 games in season 2017 after achieving same feat in 2016, averaging 20 disposals game at 76.9 per cent efficiency, 4.0 marks, 2.9 inside 50s and 2.9 rebound 50s a game this year.
Weller is out of contract at the end of 2018.
The NAB AFL Trade Period ends today at 2.00pm.