Oscar McDonald, a delisted free agent who played key defence for both Carlton and Melbourne, is expected to be targeted by FREMANTLE.
Given that they have been searching for defensive reinforcements lately, it is believed that the Dockers have been keeping an eye on McDonald prior to the start of the delisted free agency period on November 1.
McDonald is thought to have had a medical examination with the club’s doctors and met with Fremantle officials in Western Australia last week.
McDonald has participated in 86 AFL games—81 with Melbourne and five with Carlton—but he was released from the Blues’ roster at the end of 2022 due to a complex back injury, leaving him without a place to call home.
But this season, the 27-year-old made a comeback to football with Williamstown, where he was rewarded with a spot at full-back on the VFL Team of the Year after regaining his form and fitness.
McDonald, the brother of Melbourne premiership forward Tom, finished the season with an average of 16.8 disposals and 8.1 marks per game while playing for Williamstown in the VFL.
Despite offering the former 2016 premiership winner a contract extension, the Dockers lost Joel Hamling to Sydney as an unrestricted free agent earlier this month, and they have since been looking for a replacement.
During the most recent Trade Period, winger Liam Henry and small forward Lachie Schultz also left the team. But during the player movement window, the Dockers acquired several future first-round selections that belonged to Port Adelaide and Collingwood.
Toby Pink, a former key defender for Sydney, is currently the only delisted free agent signed this year. He joined North Melbourne after playing four successful seasons for Glenelg in the South Australian National Football League.
Richmond is also searching the delisted free agency market for more ruck depth, as AFL.com.au reported earlier this week. They have identified former 30-game Sydney big man Sam Naismith as a possible option after he had a fantastic VFL campaign with Port Melbourne.
As his contract draws to an end, Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett is also considering his options. The 146-game veteran could be interested in teams like Richmond, St Kilda or Collingwood.
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IN THE MAKING FOR A YEAR.
Lachie Fogarty couldn’t imagine what the football world would hold for him after looking at his 2023 season.
After suffering a severe back injury that kept him out of action for most of 2022 and forcing him to return to the VFL in 2023, Fogarty wasn’t sure if he would be able to rejoin the senior team.
However, he never wavered in his belief that he could still have a significant influence at the top.
When Fogarty returned, he said, “to be honest, I was just grateful to be playing football again.”
“It was about enjoyment and rediscovering why I love the game for me, as I was coming off of a pretty serious back injury.”
The 24-year-old’s injury recovery was just the beginning of many steps in 2023. The next was regaining some momentum in the VFL, demonstrating that, having played 43 games in his first five seasons, he was ready to rejoin the senior team.
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