The Fremantle Dockers say they are “extremely excited” to have Blake Acres at the club as part of the deal to send Bradley Hill to St Kilda.

Fremantle signed off on the trade to send Hill to St Kilda today, for pick 10, a future second round and fourth round pick and Acres, sending a future third round pick back to the Saints.

The 24-year-old Acres returned to regular football in 2019, playing 19 games and averaging 16.2 disposals in a utility role, where he played a mix of inside and outside midfield.

Fremantle list manager Mark Micallef welcomed Acres to the club and said he had been identified as someone who could fill a role based on his strong body and athletic profile.

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“He’s 191cm tall, extremely versatile and we feel like he can be a really important part of the Fremantle team for a long period of time. We’re really excited to have Blake on board,” he said.

“As well as Blake, the trade brought in more than the equivalent of a number four pick, and it allows us to take two top 10 selections in the 2019 draft.

“With those picks we’ll be able to lock down two really key components for the next part of Fremantle’s future.

“We will also take a really strong hand into 2020 with three second round selections, which along with our first round selection, puts us in a really strong position.”

Acres played 75 games over six seasons for the Saints. He is a 191cm, 92kg midfielder, who had a breakout season in 2017, averaging 20.3 disposals, before an injury interrupted 2018 season where he was limited to 12 games.

This is Fremantle’s second deal of the 2019 Telstra Trade Period after trading Ed Langdon to Melbourne.

Fremantle currently hold picks seven, 10, 22, 58, 79 and 83 for the 2019 draft.

“We also want to thank Bradley for his efforts at Fremantle,” Micallef said.

“He’s a Doig Medallist and he finished third in 2019. He was very well liked among the playing group and we wish him and his partner all the best in the future.”