Newest draftee Odin Jones will form an important part of Fremantle’s forward line in 2024 and beyond, according to Head of Player Personnel David Walls.

Selected in the 2023 AFL Rookie Draft, Jones is a 199cm, 96kg key position player from West Perth.

“Odin plays both forward and ruck. He got injured on the eve of the (U18 National) Championships and never played,” Walls said.

“We see him more as a key forward and that 199cm, really strong contested mark that can then pinch hit in the ruck.

“He's a big boy at 96kg and only 18 years of age, so there’s huge scope. He's going to be a massive man and we just love his aggression too. He's super competitive and one of the few young talls that loves to hit bodies.”

With small forwards a focus for Fremantle heading into this year’s draft, Walls felt the selections of Cooper Simpson and Jack Delean in the National Draft fit the requirements.

“We wanted to address the small forwards, but we feel like Jack Delean fits that bill and Cooper Simpson as well,” Walls said.

“Simpson is a mid that plays forward as well. We think he will start his career as a small forward and then move into the midfield in time.

“Odin we really rate and we still think that another really big 200cm key forward is important for us. We have the two guys who can play as small forwards, we feel like it's covered,” Walls said.

Playing AFL has been a lifelong dream for Jones, who found out the news earlier this afternoon.

"I was in the car with my mate and then my phone started going off,” Jones said.

“I'm just excited to get started, ever since I can remember I've wanted to play AFL."

FREMANTLE 2023 DRAFT SELECTIONS

AFL National Draft: Cooper Simpson (Pick 35), Ollie Murphy (Pick 41), Jack Delean (Pick 60)
AFL Rookie Draft: Odin Jones (Pick 5)

Draft pick 35 - Cooper Simpson
Draft pick 41 - Ollie Murphy
Draft pick 60 - Jack Delean