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"Not a consideration": Dockers CEO fires on Demons amid ongoing trade rumours
Jaiden Sciberras • June 10th, 2025 9:05 pm
After weeks of speculation surrounding potential wantaway Dockers, Fremantle’s CEO Simon Garlick has snuffed out talks of any rumoured deals.
Over the course of the season, talks of a potential deal to send versatile ruckman Luke Jackson back to Melbourne were rumoured, as speculation suggested that the former Demon sought a return home.
While Fremantle has stood firm on Jackson’s commitment to the Western Australian side, the Demons have been extremely vocal on bringing Jackson back to the side, with both coach Simon Goodwin and captain Max Gawn publicly stating their interest in the ruckman’s potential return.
With that in mind, Garlick did not hold back, stating that the Dees need to remain focused on their own players.
“To borrow an infamous line from Will Smith, I think Melbourne should take our players names out of their mouth!” Garlick told SEN WA Mornings.
“It’s interesting, hearing the captain and coach speak specifically on Luke was really disappointing.
“It’s not a practice that we engage in, but that’s their prerogative.
“Luke has had the season he’s had on-field; everyone has seen that, I think he’s in phenomenal form.
“He’s an unbelievable character around the footy club, just in terms of his enthusiasm, his infectious nature, he’s a great teammate and we just love having him a part of the club.
“He’s clearly signed for a long period of time, he loves the footy club, and you can see that in both his actions and his words.
“It’s not even a consideration for us. He’s going to form part of our midfield in a variety of roles given his flexibility and his capability and I think he’s just scratching the surface of that too, which is exciting for us and our fans. He’s a cornerstone of our club for a long time to club.”
Beyond Luke Jackson, rumours have also circulated around young midfielder Neil Erasmus.
He 21-year-old has struggled to break into a stacked Dockers midfield, managing just five games 29 games across his four years at the club despite being taken with the 10th overall pick in 2021.
This season has already presented as Erasmus’ best in Fremantle colours, with the WAFL premiership player stringing together four straight games before the bye in Round 13.
With the youngster running out of contract at the end of the season, Garlick remains adamant that Erasmus will remain at the club.
“'Ras' has had a really good month,” Garlick continued.
“I think it’s coincided with the team. Obviously, he has understandably wanted more opportunities and has been doing a phenomenal job at the next level down at Peel for a long period of the time.
“He’s been banging on the door, and when the opportunities have arisen in the last three weeks in particular, he has really stepped up and been a hugely solid contributor to our midfield.
“(He is) the ultimate professional, understand the speculation occurring as Ras is out of contract, but we see him again as a really important part of the midfield.
“People forget he’s 21, so he’s really at the start of the career. We see him being a huge part of our football club and helping us to achieve the goals that we want to for a significant period of time.”
Coming off the bye in Round 13, the Dockers face North Melbourne at Optus Stadium to kickstart their September charge.
