Richmond has landed Fremantle wingman Nathan O’Driscoll in a fast-moving trade, handing the Dockers pick No.61 for the 24-year-old on Tuesday. O’Driscoll has signed a three-year deal with the Tigers that runs to the end of 2029.
Both clubs confirmed the deal on Tuesday afternoon. Richmond said it gave up a fourth-round selection, currently No.61 in this year’s national draft, while Fremantle confirmed O’Driscoll is the first player to leave the club in the 2026 trade period.
AFL.com.au’s Callum Twomey described it as a fast-moving deal, with O’Driscoll joining the Tigers on the same length of contract the Dockers had offered him before he decided to explore his options.
Why he left Fremantle
O’Driscoll was taken with pick No.27 in the 2020 National Draft and played 55 AFL games over six seasons with the Dockers, including a career-high 17 this year.
He told Fremantle last week that he wanted to test the market, and the club withdrew its three-year contract offer, AFL.com.au reported. He fell out of the side after the qualifying final loss to Hawthorn.
The Western Bulldogs had shown interest, but The West Australian reported the Dogs cooled on the Perth product as they turned their attention to Port Adelaide star Zak Butters.
“It’s never easy having a player depart the Club, but Nathan was out of contract at the end of this season and was keen to seek opportunity elsewhere for his AFL career,” Fremantle head of player personnel David Walls said.
“The deal also allows us to get another pick in this year’s draft which we are supportive of.”
What Richmond is getting
O’Driscoll averaged 17 disposals and 2.7 inside 50s per game in 2026, according to Richmond, and had a career-high 27 disposals against St Kilda in Round 12.
The 188cm left-footer can play on the wing or at either end of the ground, and has also played as an inside midfielder for Fremantle and for Peel Thunder. He played 57 WAFL league games for Peel, most recently featuring in its 2026 premiership.
“Nathan has had a good taste of AFL football across his six years at Fremantle and is hungry to take his game to the next level. He played 17 games this season and plays the game the right way,” Richmond executive general manager of football talent Blair Hartley said.
“At 24, he will complement what we have on the list and bring a skill set that suits the way we want to play with his running power and ability to cover the ground at a high speed.”
Tigers add experience to a young list
The move gives Adem Yze’s rebuilding side a player with 55 games of experience to sit alongside the host of draftees Richmond has picked up over the past three seasons.
The Tigers had been in the race for Zak Butters before missing out, and earlier signed ruckman Kieren Briggs as a free agent.
Fremantle’s draft hand now reads picks 17, 38, 58, 61, 76 and 94. The AFL trade period closes on Wednesday 14 October.
More News
