Why Fremantle’s best mid-season draft target lies in Peel youngster Tyrone Thorne

The mid-season draft returns in June and while there’s plenty of talent across Australia vying for an AFL call-up, Peel’s pint-sized ball magnet Tyrone Thorne is gaining momentum every game as a potential draft roughie.

The 19-year-old is averaging 25 disposals, 5.4 clearances and 1.4 goals a game over five hit-outs with the Thunder (3-2) this season, including a best-on performance against West Coast’s WAFL side with 33 touches and two majors.

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At 169 cm tall Thorne would rival the Western Bulldogs’ Caleb Daniels (168 cm) as one of the shortest players in the AFL but on this week’s episode of The Duff and Quarters Podcast chief footy writer at The West Australian Mark Duffield believes Thorne

“I’m gonna throw one up, I reckon Fremantle should be looking at Tyrone Thorne the young Peel thunder player,” Duffield said.

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“He’s tiny but he’s absolutely exceptional with the ball.

“I know Will Schofield (former West Coast Eagle now Peel player) is a massive advocate of him having played alongside him, believes he’s an AFL quality player.

Throne was part of Peter Sumich’s 2019 side that claimed gold at the under 18 carnival, but was overlooked the following two drafts.

The Rockingham junior managed a league debut in 2020 in Peel’s forward line before a successful move to the midfield this year.

“(Freo) have spots available, I don’t think they’ve absolutely ruled themselves out of the mid-season draft but they have given indications that they’d be reluctant to take a mid-season draft pick,” Duffield continued.

“When you look at one of Fremantle’s ongoing shortcomings is do they have enough polish? I reckon Tyrone Thorne is absolutely someone that could add some polish to them.”