Fremantle AFLW manager Darryn Fry says Fremantle will prioritise the best talent available at next Tuesday’s NAB AFL Women’s Draft in Melbourne. 

Fremantle are expected to take up to nine players at the draft, holding selections four, 17, 28, 39, 50, 59, 64, 66 and 68.

“Given the nature of the drafting system and the state-based draft, we understand the depth of female talent is still growing and for us, it’s about taking the best talent first and foremost,” Fry said.

“We’ll also have a view of where they might fit on the list, whether they provide us with some versatility and also looking at our current list and what positions they may be able to fill.”

Fry said Fremantle have been allocated an extra draft pick to compensate for the long-term injury to Brianna Green, who ruptured her ACL in round two of the 2018 season.

“Brianna suffered a setback with her long-term injury,” Fry said.

“The AFL have allowed us to retain Brianna on our list as an inactive long-term injured player.

“As a result, so we will be able to take a ninth pick at the draft to take our squad to 30.”

Fry said that he’s confident Green will return stronger than ever. 

“Brianna was the club’s second draft pick ahead of the inaugural season and she’s a highly valued member of the team,” Fry said.

“So we’ll do everything to support her to get her back to full fitness and running around once again in the Fremantle jumper.”

Fry is one of a handful of important off-field acquisitions for Fremantle during the AFLW off-season.

Formerly the football manager at East Fremantle for six years, Fry arrived at the club in August. 

In July, former Hockeyroo player and coach Kate Starre joined as the AFLW high performance manager. 

Fremantle also has new coaching group, headed by senior coach Trent Cooper, senior assistant coach Craig Thomas and assistant coaches Amy Lavell and Lisa Webb. 

Fry said Fremantle will look to continue to expand its AFLW staff as the league grows.

“We’ve seen two new teams coming into the program in 2019 with further expansion in 2020 so clearly as that evolves, we need to evolve with it,” Fry said.

“There’s greater resourcing around the program, high performance, IT, strength and conditioning, medical and operational.

“It’s been incredibly helpful working with AFLW operations coordinator Wade Spilcker, whose experience and knowledge from his two years so far in the AFLW program has been incredibly beneficial to a growing staff.

“Clearly we need to move with the times and we feel that we’ve got some really good people in place to drive this program as a benchmark in the AFLW.”