Dockers secure shock draft pick from Suns

Fremantle have pulled off a stunning trade deal by securing Gold Coast's No.2 draft pick in exchange for Lachie Weller.

Lachie Weller in action

Fremantle have convinced Gold Coast to give up their prized No.2 AFL draft pick for Lachie Weller. (AAP)

Fremantle have pulled off one of the all-time AFL trade heists, convincing Gold Coast to give up their prized No.2 draft pick for Lachie Weller.

The Dockers can barely believe they have two of the top-five selections locked in.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity to pick from the top end of the draft. That's where all the quality is and that's where our focus is," said Fremantle list manager Brad Lloyd.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon said he wouldn't accept anything less than the second pick for 21-year-old Weller, who he rated as the club's best runner and ball user.

The Suns offered up the future first-round pick they had secured from West Coast but the Dockers stood their ground.

"It had to be (pick two) for us," said Lloyd.

"He's a talented young player. It had to be and it worked out well."

As well as the coveted pick, Fremantle also collected Suns small forward Brandon Matera in the deal.

Suns recruitment manager Scott Clayton tried to put a positive spin on the outcome, saying it was about the big picture.

"We would have preferred to have had pick two ... we had to be a bit malleable but that's the sort of things you do at trade time," Clayton said.

"Last year, we bought in four first-round picks inside 10 and we were mindful that next year's draft is fantastic.

"We go into next year's draft with two first-round (picks), two second rounds and two third rounds so, in regard to currency, we're very well placed."

Clayton said it was a homecoming for Weller, who moved to the Gold Coast from Tasmania as a 15-year-old.

He was a part of the Suns' Academy before being picked up by Fremantle in the 2014 draft, playing 47 games since making his 2015 debut.

"(Weller) will bring a lot of spirit and morale to our group who are very much looking forward to him joining us," Clayton said.

GWS half-back Nathan Wilson also ended up at the Dockers on a fine day for the Western Australians.


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Source: AAP



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