The expected shake-up at the Fremantle Dockers, which will leak into affiliate club Peel Thunder, intensified on Tuesday when former leadership group member and Peel Thunder premiership hero Matt de Boer was told he would not be offered a new contract.
The Sandover medal runner-up was informed of his cut from Fremantle at an exit meeting on Tuesday, along with other 2016 Peel Thunder regulars Clancee Pearce, Tendai Mzungu and Jack Hannath.
De Boer, Pearce and Mzungu all played over 100 games for the Dockers and were part of their first ever grand final team in 2013. The trio was also part of Peel Thunder’s maiden premiership win over Subiaco just a fortnight ago.
Of the quartet, de Boer seems the most likely to be thrown an AFL lifeline.
But if all fail to garner another chance at the elite level, it is likely they will return to their WAFL clubs of origin.
Fremantle Dockers general manager of football operations Chris Bond thanked the players for their commitment and contribution to the club during their time at Fremantle.
“Matt and Clancee came to the club via the 2008 rookie draft and Tendai in 2010 as a mature age recruit, with all three going on to forge 100-game careers at Fremantle,” he said.
“The fact that Matt, Tendai and Clancee were able to achieve such important career milestones is testament to their resilience, work ethic and commitment to the club.
“Matt and Tendai will also always have the honour of being part of the club’s first grand final team in 2013.”
Youngsters Brady Grey and Josh Deluca were also axed from the Dockers, but have been given the opportunity to train with the club and possibly be re-listed during the draft period in November.
The cull of players comes after injury-plagued first round draft choice Anthony Morabito and utility player Tanner Smith were de-listed at the start of the WAFL finals.
Mandurah football product Hayden Ballantyne is expected to be traded away from the club in the coming days, while long-time forward Chris Mayne is expected to walk in free agency.
The futures of Fremantle stalwarts Michael Barlow and Nick Suban remain unknown.
The huge shift of players comes after Fremantle’s horrid 2016 season, which saw them slip from minor premiers in 2015 to just four wins for the year.
The Dockers are expected to look to the draft and trade periods in the coming off-season to re-bolster their playing list with youth.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
