AFL draft 2024: Fremantle Dockers select Murphy Reid with club’s first pick
Fremantle have taken classy Victorian midfielder Murphy Reid with the club’s first pick in the AFL Draft.
After the Dockers traded away three first-round picks (receiving one in return) to recruit Shai Bolton from Richmond, the club had just one selection on opening night on Wednesday.
Sliding back from pick 14 following three father-son and academy bids, Fremantle swooped on Reid – who has drawn comparisons to Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury – with pick 17.
Small forward Joe Berry, who had been heavily linked to the Dockers, and Peel Thunder premiership player Bo Allan, Western Australia’s top talent, were taken in the previous two selections by Port Adelaide and West Coast, respectively.
Reid said he was excited to move to Perth.
“Looks like it’s going to be a great lifestyle over there, so looking forward to it,” Reid told Fox Footy.
Reid’s emotional father said the family had “converted” from Richmond to Fremantle supporters, saying “go Dockers” with a purple scarf around his neck.
Camera IconMurphy Reid in action. Credit: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was in Melbourne to present the Sandringham Dragons product with the club jumper at Marvel Stadium.
His former coach Rob Harding said Reid would end up being the steal of the draft.
“Murphy Reid is an exceptional talent, and I think in most drafts he would go in the top five,” Harding told SEN before the draft.
“He’s certainly a top-five pick in my mind (this year), he’s very smooth, very calm and hits the scoreboard as a midfielder that pushes forward.
“I think he’ll start his career as a high half forward and I’m always reticent to make player comparisons too much, but he does have a Pendlebury-like awareness around the contest – he’s got eyes in the back of his head.”
More to come
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