East Fremantle keen to lure axed Dockers ruckman Jon Griffin back to the club

Article by Jordan McArdle, published in the West Australian- available here

East Fremantle will meet axed Fremantle ruckman Jon Griffin this week in a bid to lure him back to the club.

Griffin was cut by the Dockers after a career 97 games in 11 seasons, which included 41 at Adelaide. Sharks coach Rob Wiley is keen to secure the 31-year-old for 2018.

Recruiting an experienced big man is high on the agenda after having to use a makeshift ruckman in 195cm Matthew Watson for the majority of last season.

“We’ll be catching up with Jon and seeing what his intentions are, as disappointed as he is (about being de-listed),” Wiley said.

“He’s another East Fremantle boy who would fit in very nicely to where we want to head.”

Injury will prevent fellow Sharks product Garrick Ibbotson, who retired from AFL ranks after featuring in Peel Thunder’s WAFL premiership last month, re-joining his old club.

The 177-game defender recently had hip surgery and is unlikely to play at any level in the near future, but may be enticed to return to East Fremantle in a coaching capacity.

The Sharks have signed midfielder Jarrad Jansen. He has been de-listed by Brisbane after four seasons in the AFL.

After being restricted to just one full WAFL game in 2017 due to a string of injuries, former Kangaroo Liam Anthony has re-committed to the Sharks for next year.

Meanwhile, three WA teenagers have been included in the 2017-18 AFL Academy level two squad.

Wyndham-bred Claremont speedster Jason Carter, East Fremantle colts premiership midfielder Tom Joyce and skilful Perth product Ian Hill were among the 32-player list.