Why Carlton Wants Fremantle Ruckman Liam Reidy

In an interesting development that has the potential to change the ruck dynamics at Carlton, Liam Reidy, a fringe ruckman at Fremantle, has formally requested a trade to Carlton. Clearly, there is more to Reidy's request than just wishing for more opportunity in the ruck. This request represents a strategic play by Carlton to bolster their ruck stocks leading into the 2026 AFL season. Let's look at why this interesting development makes sense, both for Reidy and Carlton, but also the broader AFL picture.

Who Is Liam Reidy?

Age: 25

Height/Weight: 204 cm, 104 kg

Position: Ruckman

Pathway: Started in the VFL with Frankston → picked by Fremantle in the 2023 rookie draft.

Career so far: Just the three AFL games; has shone in WAFL with Peel Thunder and even won a premiership in 2024.

Reidy is what many will call a “late bloomer”. He may not have been the first to be picked in the draft, but he's worked hard at making himself a strong, competitive ruck choice.

Why Is He Leaving Fremantle?

At Fremantle, he faces competition in Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson - both of whom are elite ruckman in the AFL - meaning Reidy will always be playing backup no matter how well he plays in the WAFL.

Reidy wants an opportunity, not a list spot. Fremantle respects Reidy's option, but they have all the ruck depth they need to get by without him.

Carlton’s Situation – The Real Reason Behind the Move

Carlton has a ruck reshuffle on their hands. 

Tom De Koning has departed for St Kilda on a large eight-year deal.

Marc Pittonet is still reliable, but needs back-up and rotation.

Carlton can't afford to head into 2026 with only one experienced ruck. 

So Carlton needs someone who:

Is AFL ready.

Won't bust the bank in trades.

Will be a backup or step up if asked. 

Liam Reidy, enter stage left.

Will Brodie + Liam Reidy have requested to be traded in search of more senior opportunities.

Brodie has requested a trade to Port Adelaide, while Reidy would like to join Carlton.

MORE INFO → https://t.co/Katt8P8a8x pic.twitter.com/VbimEIsFeB

— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) September 10, 2025

Why Reidy Fits Carlton Perfectly

Cost-effective option: Carlton won't be parting with a top draft pick.

A motivated player: At just 25, Reidy knows that this is the time for him to show what he can do.

Physical size: At 204cm, he can go up against any perceived ruck in the competition.

Potential development: If he receives the proper coaching, there might be more to him than being a stop-gap ruck at this stage.

Fremantle’s Response

Fremantle isn't forcing him out—they even told Reidy he could stay on their list. However, they also know he won't get much of a chance with Darcy and Jackson fit. They will probably accept a fair trade, so they can give him a chance he is asking for.

What Happens Next In The Trade Period?

Carlton and Fremantle will sit at the table during the AFL trade period. A future late draft pick or a pick swap could get the deal done. This won’t be a blockbuster trade, but sometimes the smaller moves end up shaping a team’s season.

The Bigger Picture – Why This Trade Matters

For Carlton: Reidy adds depth, solves a problem left by De Koning’s exit, and gives Michael Voss a safety net.

For Fremantle: They clear space for younger talent and gain trade value.

For Reidy: Finally, a chance to step out of the shadows and play regular AFL football.

Quick Summary Table

Final Thoughts

On the surface, Liam Reidy’s trade request might look minor compared to the big names moving around. But for Carlton, this is about planning smart. Reidy might not be a superstar yet, but he represents reliability, depth, and potential. In AFL, sometimes these “quiet trades” are the ones that pay off in the long run.

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