Talented South Australian Isaiah Dudley has impressed onlookers at Fremantle's pre-season training as he looks to secure a position on the club's list during the AFL's Supplemental Selection Period.
The 21-year-old small forward has spent the pre-season trialling for the Dockers' vacant list spot after enjoying an impressive season in the SANFL for Central District in 2024.
Dudley produced a strong showing during Fremantle's match simulation training session this week, which included kicking a brilliant goal after a well-timed crumb.
His SANFL coach, Paul Thomas, noted his young player's exceptional growth over the past few years, saying he believes Dudley he can step up to the elite level.
"He's matured heaps in the last three years and he's got loads of talent, so I've got no doubt that he would flourish in a full-time, high-performance environment," Thomas told AFL.com.au.
"He certainly has the ability to make a run at it this season and he'd be ready by the end of the summer, I would hope.
"This year he was part of a club-supported, high-performance program and we really saw (the results) in his game with his ability to get higher up the ground and help us connect.
"He played big minutes at times as well, which he probably couldn't have done two years ago – it's a massive credit to Isaiah for doing the work to get noticed."
Dudley finished third in the Bulldogs' best-and-fairest award, averaging more than a goal per game, which included kicking multiple goals on six occasions.
Despite registering under ten disposals per game, Thomas highlighted it was Dudley's impact per disposal that made him such a tantalising prospect.
"Roughly every second time he touched the ball for us, it resulted in a score, so he was our highest score-assist player and we certainly know that when he touches the ball something positive happens," Thomas told AFL.com.au.
"He uses the ball so well, his decision making is outstanding, and he has an ability to put teammates in better positions."
Dudley is considered a creative small forward who possesses the skill, smarts and goal sense to become dangerous at AFL level.
He missed selection during his draft eligible year even though his South Australian coach Tony Bamford said he believed Dudley had the 'most natural talent' in the group.
Currently standing 168cm, Dudley would immediately become the shortest player in the AFL if he were to be picked up by the Dockers.
He boasts strong football pedigree as the cousin of Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett and the nephew of former Carlton and Adelaide superstar Eddie Betts.
He was formerly a member of the Crows' Next Generation Academy before ultimately being overlooked.
