Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy says he’s “surprised and disappointed” by Liam Henry’s trade request from Fremantle, questioning why the young gun would want to depart his home state Western Australia.
A “disappointed” Fremantle this week confirmed Henry had officially requested a trade after four seasons at the club amid a link to a host of Victorian rivals.
The 2019 top 10 pick and Dockers Next Generation Academy product has played 43 games in purple, including 16 in a career-best season this year playing on the wing.
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But now out-of-contract, Henry has told the club he wants to pursue his options interstate.
“I’m surprised and disappointed about that. I don’t think it’s the right thing for a young kid to leave his club so early,” Healy said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“He’s from WA, he’s just settled into that club, the club has been sponsoring him and developing him since he was about 15 years of age. He (was) in their Next Gen academy.
“Unless there’s some issue he’s been totally upset with, I don’t why you’d be leaving.
“This is the club on the up, you could be playing in a historic first premiership for a club — there’s only one group of players able to do that in the AFL.”
Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes highlighted that Henry’s manager, Colin Young from Corporate Sports Australia, is “usually quite outspoken” but yet to list the reasons his client has asked to be traded.
Hawthorn is reportedly seen as the frontrunner to land Henry, while North Melbourne and St Kilda are also seen to be in the mix.
Healy continued: “He’s going to fit anywhere if he’s going to be the player we think he can be. But it’s a big call to change states and your family and club environment at 22 when you’re just starting to get your act together.
“He’s not blowing it off the park at the moment, he’s playing well, but it’s in a familiar environment. It’s a challenge and a risk, and if I was his manager, I’d be strongly advising him against it, money wouldn’t come into it.”
The decision has left Fremantle footy boss Peter Bell “disappointed”, given the club’s involvement in Henry’s development from the age of 15 and the extent they went to get him in the draft as an Academy product.
“It is disappointing that Liam Henry has opted to explore his options, especially considering we have been involved in his development since he was 15 and he has taken some significant steps forward this year,” Bell said.
“We made a significant investment in Liam, not just through our Next Generation Academy, matching Carlton’s bid under NGA concession rules in the 2019 Draft, and it was pleasing to see his potential come to fruition this year.
“We will have this investment and his talent as a winger front of mind when looking to facilitate a trade.”
SEN’s Sam Edmund revealed the Hawks were leading the race for Henry as he looks to relocate to Victoria.
“He didn’t want to re-sign with Fremantle … he’s long wanted to base himself in Melbourne, I’m told, and not Perth,” he said.
“Not rival offers for him yet, but it sounds like he’ll definitely be leaving. Hawthorn, I’m told, are right there. Melbourne has been rumoured and murmured, but I can’t put any fact around that.
“I think it’s a very, very good chance Liam Henry will be playing for a club over in Melbourne next year.”
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