Why Fremantle coach believes a mid-season trade period would be more beneficial to Victorian clubs
Fremantle head coach Justin Longmuir is not fully against a possible mid-season trade period, but he does have one reservation regarding the idea.
As the AFL continues to ponder the potential to introduce mid-year player movement, the Dockers coach wonders how it will benefit interstate clubs, particularly his club and the West Coast Eagles.
Longmuir acknowledges that there are positives surrounding the notion, however, he feels clubs in Victoria would benefit due to their being more opportunity in a brimming and busier football environment.
“It’s got its pros and cons,” Longmuir said on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“I think it may be of benefit to Victorian clubs a little more than the WA clubs long-term.
“It’s easier to shift from Essendon to Carlton or Geelong to Hawthorn rather than one of those (interstate) clubs to Victoria. Especially if it’s a short-term deal and maybe that person has a wife and family that have got jobs and are embedded in Victoria.
“There’s definitely some pros in it for us and player movement is something the AFL is always really keen on.
“I just think at the moment that the cons outweigh the pros, especially for the West Australian clubs.”
The league will obviously not bring in a mid-season trade period in 2024, but there remains the possibility that it could be established in the near future.
Further regarding trades, but of an end-of-season variety, the Dockers continue to be heavily linked with Richmond’s Liam Baker.
The 26-year-old two-time premiership player is out of contact this year and it is being suggested that he is set to leave the Tigers to return home to WA.
Longmuir decided to remain tight-lipped when quizzed on that scenario.
“I’ve read that he is a chance to come home so I might give ‘Wallsy’ (recruiting boss David Walls) or (footy boss) Peter Bell a ring and see whether they’ve been on the phone to him,” Longmuir said of Baker.
Coincidentally, the Dockers meet the Tigers at the MCG this Sunday in pursuit of their fifth win of the season.
