Fremantle should make a play for retired West Coast Eagles great Josh Kennedy to fill a whole in their forward-line as they chase a maiden premiership, according to Kane Cornes.
The former Port Adelaide player and media commentator wrote in his exclusive column for The West Australian that the Dockers should sound out the legendary Eagle in a bid to lure him across town.
The Dockers are finals-bound for the first time since 2015 this year, but are preparing for the widely tipped departure of talisman Rory Lobb to the Western Bulldogs.
READ KANE CORNES’ FULL COLUMN ON WHY FREMANTLE SHOULD CHASE WEST COAST LEGEND JOSH KENNEDY HERE
The durability of fellow key forward Matt Taberner has also come under question in recent weeks as the Dockers put the tall on ice until finals.
Cornes said Fremantle should plead with Kennedy to back-flip on his recent retirement decision on a set of generous terms which would see him not train before Christmas and be rested for a number of games, particularly away from home.
Kennedy kicked 723 goals across a 17-year career at Carlton and West Coast, eight of which came during a moving farewell to Eagles fans against Adelaide on Sunday.
Credit: simon santi/The West Australian
“West Coast’s all-time greatest goal-kickers still has plenty of petrol in his tank,” Cornes wrote.
“His stunning eight-goal display against Adelaide in his final game on Sunday proved it.
“Fremantle needs Kennedy. The Dockers must pitch him an offer he cannot refuse so that he ignores the option of retirement to become a critical part of Fremantle’s premiership push.
Cornes ruled the Dockers out of premiership contention, despite them circling a top-four finish, but said they could put themselves well and truly in the mix next season with the recruitment of a big key forward.
“Unfortunately, Fremantle is not good enough to win this year’s flag,” he wrote.
“However, the Dockers are capable of saluting next season if they address the big, critical need to find a match-winning forward.
“Lobb will not be at Fremantle next season. He is joining the Western Bulldogs.”
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