Fremantle have moved quickly to add a goalkicking wingman to their ranks to replace Nathan O’Driscoll, with former Western Bulldog Dominic Bedendo signing with the club.
Bedendo has inked a two-year deal with the Dockers as a delisted free agent, having impressed for Port Melbourne in the VFL this year.
The 24-year-old was drafted to the Bulldogs with pick No.55 in the 2020 draft out of the Murray Bushrangers, but played only two AFL games — both of which came in 2022 — before he was delisted at the end of 2024.
Fremantle list boss David Walls said the signing of Bedendo was a great outcome.
“We’ve been watching Dom really closely since he returned to the VFL as a mature-age player,” Walls said.
“He’s performed strongly as an athletic, hard-running winger. His size makes him an aerial threat, and he also has good agility.
“The trade with Richmond for Nathan O’Driscoll gave us an additional draft selection. Rather than wait to see whether Dom would still be available in the draft, we decided to secure him now as a delisted free agent. As a result, we haven’t had to use that pick.
“We’ve added Pat Voss, Corey Wagner and Oscar McDonald to our list from VFL clubs in recent seasons and we’re confident Dom adds to our wing stocks and depth, which we felt was important.”
Bedendo joined the Borough ahead of the 2025 season, booting 23 goals in 17 games, before he went to another level this year with 35 majors in 20 matches.
This included a season-high five goals against North Melbourne’s VFL side in round eight in a best-on-ground performance.
“I am feeling amazing. I am so grateful for the opportunity and keen to get stuck into it,” Bedendo said.
“That’s been a big driver for me for the last two years is to get back on a list and that becoming a reality now feels amazing.
“I feel like I’m an athletic sort of player. Bring a bit of fight as well and scrap. But a bit of flair as well.
“Freo had an amazing year. I’ve watched them very closely, feel a bit of a soft spot for Freo getting to the granny ... all there players are amazing and cannot wait to meet them.
“Shai Bolton’s someone I’ve looked up to for a long time. I love watching him play. There’s so many. Josh Treacy is another one that comes to mind, just his physicality and the way he goes about things. I just cannot wait to get there and meet everyone.”
Bedendo will join the Dockers, who are fresh off their first grand final appearance in 13 years and only second ever having lost to Brisbane by seven points.
Fremantle needed extra potency in front of goals after important forward Sam Switkowski hung up the boots after the defeat to the Lions to focus on his family.
They also delisted former first-round draftee Sam Sturt after he played only 31 games in eight seasons, the last of which came in 2024, with injury restricting him to only three appearances for Peel Thunder this season.
Fremantle have also delisted veteran Bailey Banfield as well as rookie Ryda Luke and uncapped key defender Ollie Murphy, while they traded wingman O’Driscoll to Richmond on Tuesday for a late draft pick.
The Dockers hold picks 17, 38, 58, 61 and 76 in next month’s national draft.
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