Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich has called for his old club to remain calm when it comes to pursuing trade target Logan McDonald.
The West Australian born key forward was selected with pick four in the 2020 National Draft by Sydney and looms as one of the potential breakout players of 2024.
He is out of contract and, naturally, both West Australian teams will be doing what they can to lure him back home.
However, Pavlich is bullish about the key position prospects already at the Dockers and feels they shouldn’t blow up the salary cap on McDonald.
“You can’t give him everything, there’s enough down there in Freo’s forward line, and the salary cap thrown at Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson, plus Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong and Hayden Young and Brennan Cox, there’s been a few that have signed on recently,” Pavlich told SEN WA’s The Run Home.
“Absolutely make a play for him and you make sure that you get him, but you can’t throw the farm at him, you can’t sacrifice other list decisions going for Logan McDonald.
“He’s going to be a very good player and he would look great in purple, but you don’t throw everything at him because that’s poor list management.”
The Dockers head into the 2024 season with almost a fully healthy squad, and that includes veteran key forward Matt Taberner.
Pavlich is curious to see how Freo balances Taberner as well as breakout young star Jye Amiss – and ruck pair Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
“Matt Taberner has had a pretty good pre-season, he’s got his body in good order, you almost need to hold him back,” the Freo great said.
“Jye Amiss, he’s still a young kid, but he’s going to be a star, Josh Treacy, there’s a number down there, the mix of the ruckmen Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.
“I think you’re right, they’re right up there with key forward talent and they’ve got enough around them with Michael Walters, Michael Frederick, etcetera who can do some damage.
“Lachie Schultz leaving is going to be a miss, but maybe that’s an opportunity for Sam Sturt and a few others to step up.
“No, they can’t play (all four together). I don’t think you can play the modern day game with too many talls.
“I think two and a medium sized works quite well. It really does depend on your matchups and who is in your best 22.
“Sam Sturt stands 192cm, which is about how tall I am and I played key position, so the likes of Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss, they’re quite tall. The game has changed in that way.
“I think a mix of two or three makes sense, four becomes a bit cumbersome.”
Pavlich is confident Fremantle will rebound from a poor 2023, believing they can push for a return to September action.
“I’m actually pretty bullish. I think there’s a lot of east coast talk that they’re not going to feature anywhere near the finals,” he said.
“They obviously popped up and won a final two seasons ago, would you like Lachie Schultz, Griffin Logue and Blake Acres, of course you would, especially when they’re still transitioning they’re young list, their issue is probably the fact that they’re getting younger.
“I’m still bullish that their very best and if they’re fit and available and if they start the year well, say 5-2, I think that puts them in a really good position to have a strong year and challenge for finals.”
Fremantle will take on Port Adelaide in the AAMI Community Series on Friday March 1st.
