The trade period can be a stressful time for players, but it wasn’t something Joel Hamling got too caught up in.
The 24-year-old came to the club from the Western Bulldogs via the 2016 trade period.
Reflecting on that time last year and his first year in purple the 24-year-old says he is happy to be home.
“Nothing really stresses me out, so I left it up to my manager, and I took it all in my stride,” Hamling said.
“I was speaking to Freo all throughout the year and getting a gauge on where I would play in the side and after the season finished I came and toured the club.”
Hamling played in the Bulldogs’ 2016 Grand Final win and said the emotions that come with winning a premiership were ‘massive’.
“I had to make a decision to stay or go and at the end of the day I think it was the best thing for me to come back home to WA,” Hamling said.
“My old teammates at the Bulldogs were really supportive and I had to put the emotions of the grand final behind me and make the move.”
“I love it back here, it’s beautiful.
“The weather is great and I get to play footy with 45 of my best mates and get to see my family everyday.
“What more could I ask for?”
