Fremantle list boss David Walls says Dockers still have salary cap space should right player become available

Fremantle list boss David Walls says they still have room in their salary cap to lure a big target in the future despite locking away several stars to long-term contracts. It comes as Walls confirmed there had been early talks around re-signing three-time Doig medallist Caleb Serong who falls out of contract on the eve of Tasmania’s introduction to the AFL. The Dockers have been one of the most active clubs at the trade period in recent years, with Melbourne defender Judd McVee the latest acquisition. It comes after they brought the likes of Shai Bolton (Richmond), Jordan Clark (Geelong), Luke Jackson (Melbourne) and Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn) back to Western Australia. Earlier this year they had strong interest in Demons forward Kysaiah Pickett but missed out with the All-Australian re-signing with the Demons on a long-term deal that has him locked away until the end of 2034 on roughly $12m. Walls said it was a balance to ensure they had enough cap room to re-sign their young stars but also leave enough to ensure they could bring in a player should they become available. “It’s something you’re always managing but we’re OK, but we’re mindful when we’re doing our projections too that we have a lot of young guys that are getting better as well,” Walls told The West Australian. “It’s nice to have guys on long-term deals because they’re secured and you know what you’re dealing with but that’s our job too, it to keep projecting and budgeting and allocating money for your Serong types and whoever the young contracted players are coming through that we see as long term, that we’ve got the money there to re-sign them and keep everyone happy. “We’re comfortable with where that sits at the moment ... we want to be in the position where if someone is available that we can still chase them and be able to bring them in. It’s always a balance but we’re comfortable where it all sits at the moment.” Arguably, Walls’ biggest task is locking away three-time All-Australian Serong who comes out of contract at the end of 2027 when Tasmania will come for some of the AFL’s biggest names with a war-chest that includes a sign-on bonus fund of $5 million that will sit outside the salary cap. Walls said he expected conversations with Serong and his management to evolve early next year. “Some guys have got to make the decision between the money and also staying at the club they believe in and feel like they’re going to have success,” he said. “I feel that’s what we’re building and what our guys see and value. And I don’t think Caleb’s any different. “We’ve had conversations but he haven’t started negotiations. It’s an ongoing decision but he’s still got two years (on his contract) so it’d be early to be going at this stage. I am sure they will evolve in the early parts of next year.”