If drafting interstate players is considered a gamble, then it paid off in a big way for Fremantle in 2011.

From the draft in which Greater Western Sydney took 11 of the first 30 picks, Fremantle walked away with four players who have established themselves in AFL side, averaging 19.5 games between them in 2016. 

Tommy Sheridan (pick 16, 59 games) Hayden Crozier (pick 20, 50 games), Lachie Neale (pick 58, 92 games) and Cameron Sutcliffe (pick 71, 87 games) have all notched up their 50 game milestones within four seasons, while Neale has put his hand up as the bargain pick of 2011, winning the 2016 Doig Medal with a 737-disposal season.

On their introduction to the media in Perth, the baby-faced group hosed down any questions about their commitment to a life in Western Australia. Sutcliffe described himself as a “one club player” while Neale made it clear he was already used to living away from home.

“You just want to get over here once you’ve found out,” said Neale of his feelings post draft.

“I was a boarder for three years so I lived away from home for three years then, so I’ve had that experience.” 

Neale, who recently signed on until the end of the 2019 season, said he modeled his game on another South Australian product. 

"I’m a hardworking small inside midfielder who likes to go forward and try and make opportunities as a small forward as well,” Neale said.

“I look up to Bernie Vince. Dad coached him when he was 16 or 17, I watched how he runs, where he runs and how he finds the footy since I’ve started taking my footy seriously."

They also highlighted the welcoming nature of the existing playing group.

Sheridan, who was playing golf to take his mind off the draft, said it was “overwhelming” when former Freo captain Matthew Pavlich called him to welcome him to the club.

Sutcliffe said it was “absolutely amazing” to have the chance to live with Pavlich at a beachside apartment in Scarborough, while Crozier scored his “idol” Nat Fyfe as his housemate, and credited his abilities in the kitchen as a “good cook”.

In an era where the go-home factor weighs heavily on players and clubs during the trade and draft period, Fremantle has seemed impervious.

In 2016, they signed on the high-profile Neale for a further three years, while seeing four WA-based players return to their home state in Cam McCarthy, Bradley Hill, Joel Hamling and Shane Kersten 

With a world-class elite training and administration facility coming online in 2017 at Cockburn Central West, Fremantle is establishing itself as a club of choice.

It means that whether the club makes moves on local or interstate talent at Friday’s NAB AFL Draft in Sydney, it can do so with confidence. 

At the draft, Fremantle’s takes their strongest pick allocation since 2009, with picks 7, 35, 40 and 71.