Fremantle list boss David Walls has admitted the Dockers were “really disappointed” to miss out on trade prospect Jeremy Sharp.
Sharp was one of four key deals that didn’t go down before Wednesday’s deadline, with the Suns holding firm on their contracted player.
Under AFL rules, clubs are prohibited from trading other future picks if they give up their future first rounder. The Dockers had earlier traded for Luke Jackson with their future first going to Melbourne, meaning they were unable to move out other picks for next year.
According to Walls, that was the reason behind breakdowns in discussions with the Suns. Walls and his team were also negotiating the trade for Rory Lobb, who got his wish to join the Bulldogs minutes before the deadline.
“Look, (we were) really disappointed that we weren’t able to bring Jeremy in. In the end, we just didn’t have enough capital in terms of draft picks with what we could use to get him,” Walls told SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“All those negotiations with the Bulldogs, we provided dozens of scenarios and it was all about having enough to then satisfy Gold Coast.
“They (Gold Coast) were specific with what they wanted, based on their list spots and academy points so it was difficult to satisfy them and obviously Jeremy is a contracted player so they held firm.
“We really wanted to get it done, it was disappointing we couldn’t, but we’ll track him closely in the next 12 months and see how it goes.”
Sharp played 12 games for the Suns in 2022 – four as medical substitute – and was earmarked for a wing role at Fremantle. He has a contract at Gold Coast for 2023.
Meanwhile, Richmond’s delisting of Sydney Stack prompted the suggestion Fremantle could use his services.
Stack – a West Australian – wasn’t offered a new contract for 2023 after just two games in 2022. But despite the talent that made him Richmond’s best first-year player in 2019, Walls said the club won’t pursue the 22-year-old.
“I’d say no,” Walls responded when asked about the possibility of recruiting Stack.
“We’ve looked at Sydney previously and through the draft, he’s probably got to show that he can get himself fit and he’s dedicated and come back through the WAFL and have a really good season.
“If he can do that we’d definitely have a look at him.”
However, one player the Dockers do hold an interest in is former Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who retired earlier this year after failing to make his way back to full fitness following injury.
But Walls confirmed that both Fremantle and McDonald-Tipungwuti are keen on the 29-year-old potentially lining up for Justin Longmuir’s side in 2023.
“He is keen. He’s got family in Perth, he’s been travelling round Australia in a caravan for six months since he retired and that’s how it all came about, when he was in Perth visiting family.,” the Fremantle list boss added.
“He’s back in Victoria at the moment but the plan is to start running and get himself fit. If we get through the draft and leave a spot open, (we’ll) look to get him over and do some training.”
Walls suggested that if the club was to take McDonald-Tipungwuti, it would be as a pre-season supplemental selection, meaning he could be signed early next year.
The small forward kicked 153 goals in 126 games for the Dons.