AFL Trades: Fremantle defender Jordan Clark says recruit Judd McVee will make Dockers’ backline stronger

Fremantle star Jordan Clark has revealed he was involved in the pitch to get Judd McVee to the club, and says the duo can help take one another’s game to a new level next year. The Dockers lured the Geraldton-raised defender back to WA after 65 games in four seasons at Melbourne, signing him to a five-year contract. The 22-year-old has made no secret he wants to take his game to another level and add “a bit of flair off half-back” at his new club, while he was keen to work with and learn from Clark, who is coming off a career-best All-Australian season. Clark said he wanted to learn from McVee as well and the former rookie’s addition would make them “a much more improved backline”. “It’s awesome. I’ve had a bit to do with Juddy and this process of trying to bring him to the club, and the fact that he’s with us is really exciting,” Clark told The West Australian. “He speaks a lot about picking my brain, but I can’t wait to get to work with him and get to know him and get to know things about his game and add them to mine as well. “I think we’ll work well together and cannot wait to have the whole summer to try to do that. “He wanted to express himself in offence a bit more than he was probably allowed to at Melbourne and that’s something that we’re looking to add to our game. “It’s probably not a strength of ours back there, so if he can add to that and help us build that part of our game, I think we’ll be a much more improved backline.” Fremantle are looking to build on a strong 2025 season when they returned to finals for the first time since 2022 before falling short against Gold Coast in the elimination final. Clark said he hoped the changes the Dockers had made already this off-season would “unlock something special” as they chase a maiden premiership. “Every year when you don’t win it you come back motivated, trying to get better,” he said. “I think it’s the same answer we give most years, you’re never happy until you win the grand final. “We’ve still got a lot more improvement left in our game and we’re back training now. A few changes at the club and hopefully that can unlock something special for us as well.”