Melbourne Demons defender Judd McVee will be a handy addition for Fremantle Dockers in 2026, says AFL great

Melbourne defender Judd McVee will be a handy addition for Fremantle in the club’s bid to go deeper into September next season, according to an AFL great. The 22-year-old was linked to a move home to Western Australia throughout 2025, as he approached the end of his contract with the Demons, and officially chose the Dockers as his destination late last week. McVee had been waiting to make a decision on his future until after Melbourne appointed a new senior coach, following the sacking of premiership coach Simon Goodwin in August. Former Geelong assistant Steven King signed on earlier this month but it wasn’t enough to sway McVee to stay. After making his name as a lockdown defender, it’s understood the East Fremantle product wants to play higher up the ground in his new colours. North Melbourne dual premiership player David King said the 65-gamer would improve an already talented Dockers list. “That’s a good get for Freo, I reckon. Sneaky good player (McVee),” he told SEN. “I think he can do some things, get different opportunities over there. Maybe a bit more midfield time.” Melbourne are also in the market for Gold Coast’s Sam Flanders and could have their eye on Fremantle’s pick 11 as part of a pick swap involving McVee for that to be shipped off to the Suns. The Dockers currently hold picks 11, 29, 38, 47 and 65, as well as future selections over the next two years at their disposal. Industry expectation is that McVee’s value sits between the club’s first two selections. McVee, who grew up in Geraldton, could fill one of the Dockers’ needs as a skilled ball user off half-back. And despite handing over a handful of top draft picks to secure high-profile stars over the past few seasons, including Luke Jackson from Melbourne and Shai Bolton from Richmond, Fremantle still have a handful of selections to work with this year. With Will Brodie set to be traded to Port Adelaide and Liam Reidy to move to Carlton, the Dockers are set to gain more late selections to improve their hand. Fremantle could also look to on-trade those picks to clubs wanting to accumulate bidding points for academy and father-son picks, in exchange for a selection higher up the order. However, unlike some of his wantaway Demons teammates, McVee is out of contract, which will also help his bid to get to Fremantle over the off-season. The AFL trade period will get underway on Monday.