The Western Bulldogs are the latest club keeping a close eye on out-of-favour Fremantle midfielder Neil Erasmus.
According to a report, the Bulldogs have interest in the fourth-year midfielder, who has played 10 times for the Dockers this season.
Channel 7’s Ryan Daniels revealed last month West Coast are watching the Subiaco product’s progress.
He has played 33 matches for the Dockers since debuting in 2022 but has slipped down in the pecking order behind draft mate Matt Johnson and other midfielders, including Jaeger O’Meara and Nathan O’Driscoll in recent weeks.
The 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season.
According to AFL.com, the Dockers are working to have the midfielder extend his time at the club, but it is understood Erasmus will weigh up opportunity as a major factor in his decision.
The Bulldogs this week announced star Marcus Bontempelli has inked a four-year extension, but ageing midfielders Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar could be close to the end of their careers.
Erasmus is a chance to return to the side for Saturday afternoon’s western derby clash with the Eagles. Fremantle will weigh him up as a replacement for Johnson, who injured his ankle in Sunday’s dramatic win over Collingwood.
Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty confirmed he was in the mix after collecting 21 disposals in Peel Thunder’s loss to East Fremantle on Saturday.
“There’s obviously a number of ways we can structure up the midfield team and allocate some flexibility,” he told SEN.
“Whether that’s a Neil Erasmus coming in or Jeremy Sharp, Isaiah Dudley had a strong game.
“He can look to go forward and that can free up some of our forwards to spend some time around the ball.
“There’s just a number of ways we can look to have some flexibility in our team.”
Erasmus has not played in either of the Dockers’ two wins over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium or Collingwood at the MCG.
The Subiaco product made the intriguing move to sell a range of his match-worn Fremantle and Thunder merchandise, including the jumper he wore during his Simpson Medal-winning performance in last year’s WAFL grand final.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/western-bulldogs-watching-fremantle-dockers-midfielder-neil-erasmus-ahead-of-trade-period–c-19451509
