Kane Cornes believes Fremantle have a big list decision to make this off-season.
After paying up for Luke Jackson last trade period - sending two first-round picks and a second-rounder to the Demons for the ruckman - the Dockers are clearly committed long-term to the 21-year-old premiership-winner.
While Sean Darcy has held down the number one ruck spot in 2023 with Jackson playing second fiddle and up forward, the former Demon showed his wares as a number one in Saturday’s win over Melbourne once Darcy went down with a hamstring injury.
With Jackson putting in a best-afield performance once Darcy went off, Cornes pondered whether the Dockers should look to use their recruit in that role permanently going forward and use Darcy to attract a first-round pick in a trade.
“He’s a ruckman Luke Jackson, that’s where he always plays his best footy,” Cornes told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“I think they’ve got a decision to make with Sean Darcy.
“He’s a free agent at the end of 2024 so there’s a prospect of losing him for a compensation pick.
“I would be looking at, ‘Can we trade him for a first-round pick at the end of the year?’.
“That makes Luke Jackson the number one ruckman, we saw he was dominant playing that role.
“It’s a big list decision for the Dockers, can they get Sean Darcy out and get a midfielder in?”
While Cornes believes the duo can play together going forward, he believes that the Dockers could be better off trying to bring in a midfielder with the pick and available cap space Darcy could provide.
“I don’t think they have to do it,” Cornes said.
“But I think it’s absolutely worth considering.
“It’s rare to have absolutely two A-grade ruckmen work together.
“Darcy can’t play as a forward, Jackson is capable as a forward, but he’s more effective in the ruck.
“I think it’s a waste having two genuine A-grade ruckmen when there’s still some deficiencies (on their list) and they can add some class through the midfield perhaps.”
After being subbed out on Saturday, Darcy will head back to Perth where he’ll have scans on his injured hamstring.
The 6-5 Dockers have the bye in Round 12 before they take on the Tigers in Round 13 at Optus Stadium.