Prior to the draft, Fremantle had two areas on their list which needed a bit of love.

The first was the midfield, which needed more depth after Lachie Neale’s defection. The other was small and medium forwards, with Hayden Ballantyne all but done and not too many others making that position their own.

It’s too early to tell if the players they brought in through the draft will be the answer in those positions, but they will be given every chance.

The Sam Sturt pick at 17 makes a lot of sense, as we covered yesterday.

He has plenty of upside after being a late convert from cricket, and could easily line up as a high half-foward who pushes up the ground and delivers to the forwards or outworks his opponent to head back into dangerous areas inside 50.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

Eventually, Sturt could become the damaging outside player to complement Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra and form a young midfield core.

Camera Icon MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Sam Sturt of the Dockers poses for a photo during the 2018 NAB AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Media/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

There’s a bit of speculation about all this given Sturt’s limited exposure to football, but adding Luke Valente, the South Australian under-18 captain and MVP, adds a reliable factor to this year’s crop.

Valente is as solid as they come, both with his disposal and in his overall character.

In fact the Dockers were so keen to bring him in that they traded up in the draft to get him after he was surprisingly still on the board at pick 32. He’s good on both sides, wins plenty of contested ball and has reeks of leadership. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him playing in the best 22 early next year.

Their last pick of the national draft, Brett Bewley, will also add to the club’s midfield depth. At 23 years old, he would be expected to play in the 22 at best and keep those above him honest at worst.

Like Sturt, his ability to supply the forward line is one of his strengths.

Bewley’s teammate Lachlan Schultz will also head to Freo, with a view to solving the small forward issue that has come about as a result of Ballantyne’s fading form and Brandon Matera’s inability to stamp himself at the position.

Camera Icon Brett Bewley is ready to go. Credit: AFL Media

The rookie draft, as always, was more speculative. Tobe Watson has done enough at Swan Districts to earn a shot as a rookie, and could well be given a trial in the seniors if his WAFL form keeps up, while Jason Carter gets the nod as a Next Generation Academy pick.

But if you expect them all to get plenty of game time next season, you may be wrong.

Two and a bit years into a rebuild, the pressure will start to mount on Fremantle coach Ross Lyon to start pushing for finals again, or at least avoid the dismal whitewash losses the club picks up a couple of times each season.

There’s every chance most of them get a run, but the threshold for earning games at the Dockers is about to rise.