AFL Draft 2024: Fremantle behind West Coast in race for top WA prospect Bo Allan after Shai Bolton trade

Fremantle’s pick slide as part of a deal for to land Richmond star Shai Bolton has opened the door for West Coast to swoop on top WA draft prospect Bo Allan. The Dockers traded out picks 10, 11 and 18 in exchange for the dual premiership Tiger as well as pick 14 and a future third-round selection. It means Fremantle no longer holds a pick before their cross-town rivals, who will come into this year’s draft at No.12 after they slid from pick No.3 to land Liam Baker and Matt Owies on Tuesday. This puts the Eagles in the box seat to get Allan who is considered to be a first-round prospect that will land around pick seven to 14. The West Australian understands Allan has strong interest from both West Coast and Fremantle after a strong 2024 which had him captain WA’s under-18 championship side and was named an All-Australian after averaging 20 disposals (7.3 contested), 3.7 clearances and six tackles. Allan also played 11 league games for Fremantle’s WAFL alignment club Peel Thunder including the grand final victory over East Perth last month where he was part of their strong midfield. He also impressed at the National Draft Combine where he was top-10 in the running vertical jump (92cm), standing vertical jump (72cm) and the agility test (7.940). West Coast have already shown their desire for big-bodied midfielders who can play down back when they tried to trade their future first-round pick which ended up being pick No.3 to get Greater Western Sydney’s first round pick last year. This would have allowed the Eagles to pick Adelaide’s Dan Curtin, who had a similar path to Allan last year when he captained WA and played six league games for the Claremont. There is a chance Allan could be gone before either West Coast or Fremantle get a chance to draft the 191cm product, with Richmond set to have six first-round draft picks while St Kilda and Melbourne are also around the mark of where he could land. Allan has previously said he would likely begin his AFL career down back before moving into the midfield “If I was to get the chance, right now (my best position) would be down back purely through experience,” Allan said. “And then playing through the midfield and developing. I would be more than happy to fill that role there and love learning in that space.” West Coast currently hold picks 12, 26 and 73, while Fremantle have 14, 30 and 67.