Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick has fired back at Geelong counterpart Steve Hocking over his parting shot at Jordan Clark.
Clark was traded to the Dockers from the Cats late on the final day of the trade period with a year to run on his contract.
Fremantle and Geelong haggled over the 21-year-old, but eventually settled on a trade that saw the latter receive pick 22 and a future third-round selection.
Speaking on Sportsday, Hocking addressed Clark’s exit from Geelong after having his wish of a return home to Western Australia granted.
“For our younger players, you have to do the work,” the Cats chief said on Monday night.
“If you do get an opportunity, you need to grab it with both hands and push past some of those experienced players. I think Melbourne have proven that and are a great example of that.
“That’s the comment I would make around Jordan Clark.”
Garlick says Hocking’s comments were inappropriate coming from a senior figure at an opposition club.
“He (Clark) is a person of high character, very high talent and just starting out his career,” he told The West Australian.
“We don’t feel it’s appropriate for senior figures at opposition clubs to publicly criticise players that are not on their list.”
Clark, who was selected with pick No.15 in the 2018 National Draft, played 32 games over three seasons at Geelong.