The Western Bulldogs are reportedly monitoring Fremantle Dockers midfielder Neil Erasmus as the AFL trade period approaches. Erasmus, who has had limited opportunities this season, has made only ten appearances for the Dockers. His situation has drawn interest from the Bulldogs, as they assess potential additions to strengthen their midfield lineup.
Erasmus, entering his fourth year with the Dockers, has played a total of 33 matches since his debut in 2022. His playing time has diminished recently, with Matt Johnson, Jaeger O’Meara, and Nathan O’Driscoll all ahead of him in the midfield rotation. The 21-year-old midfielder’s contract expires at the end of this season, making him a valuable consideration for teams like the Bulldogs.
According to AFL.com, the Dockers are eager to secure Erasmus’s future with the club. Still, it is understood that he will consider opportunities for more game time as a significant factor in his decision. The Bulldogs recently announced that star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli has signed a four-year contract extension, which highlights their commitment to building a competitive team. However, veteran players Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar may be nearing the end of their careers, creating a potential gap in their midfield.
As the Bulldogs evaluate their options, Erasmus could see action in the upcoming match against West Coast in the western derby. His potential inclusion comes after Johnson sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s closely contested victory over Collingwood. Joe Brierty, Fremantle’s football boss, confirmed that Erasmus is being considered for the match, following a solid performance where he gathered 21 disposals in Peel Thunder’s recent loss to East Fremantle.
“There’s obviously a number of ways we can structure up the midfield team and allocate some flexibility,” Brierty 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.”
Despite his limited appearances this season, Erasmus has shown potential and determination. He has not featured in either of Fremantle’s two recent victories over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium or Collingwood at the MCG. In an interesting move, he recently began selling a variety of match-worn Fremantle and Thunder merchandise, including the jumper he wore during his Simpson Medal-winning performance in last year’s WAFL grand final.
As the trade window approaches, the Bulldogs’ interest in Erasmus could reshape both his career trajectory and the dynamics of the AFL’s midfield landscape.
