Gold Coast have stunned Fremantle by nabbing delisted ruckman Max Knobel in the rookie draft.
The Dockers axed Knobel and intended to pick up the 206cm ruckman on Friday to fill one of only two list spots remaining.
But the Suns had other ideas and swooped on Knobel with pick No.4. It forced the Dockers to re-think their strategy and recruit Claremont ruckman Aiden Riddle with pick No.7.
Knobel failed to muster a senior game at the Dockers over two seasons after being drafted with pick No.42 in 2022. He played seven league games for Peel Thunder, while he suited up 24 times in the reserves after falling behind mature-age big man Liam Reidy.
Riddle, 19, was an over-ager for WA in the Under-18 Championship and the Tigers colts side, where he had a strong season.
He averaged 12.2 disposals, 22.3 hit-outs and 2.3 marks for the Tigers, including 17 touches and 30 hit-outs in the grand final victory over Swan Districts.
West Coast did not take a player with pick No.2 in the rookie draft. They will have players train-on over the summer with the likelihood of taking one in the pre-season supplemental selection period.
Former-listed defender Coby Burgiel is already training at the club after he was let go at the end of the season, while former St Kilda players Olli Hotton and James Van Es are also understood to being considered.
The Eagles did recruit Next Generation Academy product Malakai Champion as a Category-B Rookie after he was not picked up in the pre-season draft.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/afl-rookie-draft-fremantle-dockers-lose-max-knobel-as-gold-coast-suns-swoop-c-16840615
