Player Watch #45: Hamish Free - re-signed until end of 2024

[giantroo]

Welcome Hamish

Get excited: The best highlights of new Roo Hamish Free

Meet No.19 rookie pick Hamish Free from South Fremantle

www.nmfc.com.au

Hamish Free | WAFL

wafl.com.au

 

[Krakoueraddict]

Hamish Free = The Bird

 

[the flying ham]

We've had a Hamish free list for a number of years, now with Hamish Free it's no longer Hamish free

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Lmao Cal Twomey broke down the pick thinking we were melbourne.

 

[Lomas]

Hamish Free = The Bird

Hamish Free = to do what he wants

 

[giantroo]

AFL draft 2022: Mature-aged South Fremantle ruck Hamish Free shaping up as smokey after career-best year​

Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Tue, 18 October 2022 3:28PM
Jordan McArdle

South Fremantle big man Hamish Free has emerged as a potential draft smokey after a career-best WAFL season.

The 24-year-old led the competition’s hit-outs this year, averaging nearly 42 across his 18 appearances to go with 11 disposals and four goals.

The West Australian understands North Melbourne have made enquiries about the 202cm giant, who’s played 29 league games for the Bulldogs after making his debut against Peel Thunder in round three, 2021, as a potential back-up option for veteran Todd Goldstein

17

Todd Goldstein

Age

35

Ht

201cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.2

3star

K

5.7

2star

HB

7.5

5star

CL

3.1

5star

HO

32.5

5star

D

16.7

4star

K

9.3

4star

HB

7.4

4star

CL

7.0

5star

HO

32.9

5star

D

5.2

2star

K

2.6

1star

HB

2.6

3star

HO

10.0

5star

.

If Free does get a shot in the AFL, it will likely be very late in the national draft or as a rookie, otherwise there could be opportunities as a train-on during the pre-season supplemental selection period.


It would be a remarkable story if he gets picked, given he was playing country footy two years ago in the South West where he won Harvey Bulls’ best and fairest.

The ruck stocks around the country are pretty thin with South Australian teen and first-round prospect Harry Barnett the pick of the crop.

From a WA perspective, Peel tall Jackson Broadbent and raw East Perth talent Bailey Maxwell were the only two invited to Sunday’s State combine, which required at least two AFL club nominations, while none got a look in at the national combine which needed five nominations.

Hamish Free has drawn interest from North Melbourne.

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Does this indicate we're not overly confident on Edwards coming on?

 

[Liam Boy]

You want a Hamish pal, you're gonna pay for it!

 

[Harris 10]

Does this indicate we're not overly confident on Edwards coming on?

Don’t think so, maybe it allows us to develop Edwards as a forward.

 

[The acurate one]

Now we're talking, another ruck I like it. A real vote of confidence for Xerri & CCJ.

 

[MagicDaw]

View attachment 1564915

Big HO numbers and tackles well!!!

 

[andana]

HAMISH FREE

Hamish Free was always going to stand out on the footy field, at first it was a result of his 200cm, 105 kilogram frame, now it's his raw football ability, with him now being recognised as one of the leading ruckman in the WAFL competition, with plenty of upside.

A junior player from Mandurah, Hamish whilst being involved in Peel Thunder's development pathway, chose South Fremantle as the best club to further develop his skills in readiness to compete in the WAFL. Hamish's development was supported by premier Bulldog ruckman Brock Higgins and whilst they shared rucking duties in a total of 11 league games in 2021, with Brock retiring at years end, Hamish was more than ready to take the lead ruck in 2022.

Free placed 7th in South Fremantle's Best & Fairest and added goalkicking to his versatility, 2 great roving goals in season 2022, further proof that Hamish's impact on games is continuously growing.

 

[Psicosis]

Club obviously not confident in who is going to take the reign from Goldy moving forward. See this as another contender to throw his hat in the ring & demand that CCJ, Edwards & X improve.

 

[andana]

WAFL Team of the Year 2022​

RUCK – HAMISH FREE (South Fremantle)
He arrived at South Fremantle in 2021 and spent a season sharing the ruck role with Brock Higgins, but upon his retirement took over the No. 1 role in 2022 and did a terrific job. Carried the load through the middle for the Bulldogs and ended up leading the league with average hit outs of 42.3 for the season. He also worked hard around the ground averaging 12.2 possessions and he did manage to kick four goals along the way to ensure that the Bulldogs are in good hands in the ruck department despite the loss of Higgins.

Times named in 2022: 5
Previous Teams of the Year: 0

 

[BlueandWhiteinmyBlood]

I would say our last 3 rookie picks were genuinely selected with our VFL team in mind. From what I can gather the last couple years have been a dogs breakfast and no real pressure on spots for the 1s. If this guy is rucking their mainly and giving our young kids the pill to fast track their development opposed to some hack who blows in on game day from the EDFL I have no issues, bonus if he comes on and plays 1s.

 

[Sphynx]

This has CCJ and Edwards nailed on for permanent forward roles in the VFL imo.

CCJ will be thrilled moving for more ruck time

 

[SpiderBurton22]

Hamish Free = The Kick Bulldogs

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Big lump of a bloke. Don't know a thing about him, but might have a bit of scope for upside considering his age and experience.

Bit of a rocket for CCJ & Xerri won't hurt either.

Hopefully it means Edwards can develop as a key, because he really doesn't have the body to be an AFL level ruckman.

 

[Shermanator]

Hamish Free = The Kick Bulldogs

Hamish Free = The eek

 

[Shinboner1]

Big lump of a bloke. Don't know a thing about him, but might have a bit of scope for upside considering his age and experience.

Bit of a rocket for CCJ & Xerri won't hurt either.

Hopefully it means Edwards can develop as a key, because he really doesn't have the body to be an AFL level ruckman.

Wouldn't be surprised if Edwards gets delisted.

 

[zoomba23]

If Sydney were interested in him, that's enough for me. Their recruiting team is like a bootleg version of Geelong's

 

[Lomas]

Hamish Free = The eek

Super

 

[speedy]

How long have we got X & CCJ signed for?

 

[Lomas]

How long have we got X & CCJ signed for?

2 and 3 years.