The Fremantle Dockers have today advised the AFL that they will not be participating in Wednesday’s NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Executive general manager of football Peter Bell said the decision was made following discussions involving head of player personnel David Walls and the club’s list management committee.

Clubs participating in the MSRD select in reverse ladder order set at the conclusion of Round 11, meaning Fremantle’s first selection would have been pick eight.

Bell said the decision was influenced by a range of factors, including players the club had, from a list needs perspective, identified as potential draftees not being available at Fremantle’s selection.

“We also gave strong consideration to the resources required to transition a new player into our program which, given the reduction to the soft cap, are increasingly finite,” Bell said.

“It is generally our practice to make a minimum two-season commitment to young players that we draft, and for 2021 our preferred conduit is via the National Draft.

“Our preference is, as often as possible, to expose our current list to AFL playing opportunities throughout the remainder of 2021season.”