FORMER Fremantle defender Ollie Murphy believes he is ready to flourish in the AFL system if given a second chance as a train-on player after building strength and size at the Dockers and sharpening his skills against the team's star forwards. 

A 200cm backman who was an All-Australian at under-18 level, Murphy was delisted by the Dockers last month after three seasons, with the club deciding it could not retain him on a list that includes five other key defenders. 

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While Fremantle's depth and incredible run with injuries worked against Murphy this season, the 21-year-old said he had learned a lot at the Dockers and he was hungry and physically prepared for another opportunity. 

"The fire in the stomach is still there and I have a lot of hunger to still play in the AFL, mainly because I love the game and I'm competitive, but also because I know I can play at the level," Murphy told AFL.com.au this week. 

"It's been a dream of mine, so I won't give up and I'll keep training hard. My three years have taught me I'm ready to make an impact at AFL level and I'm ready to go.

"I'd love to get a train-on position anywhere if clubs are open to that, but VFL clubs have been reaching out and a couple of other [state-league] clubs. 

"So there's definitely options there if a train-on position or an AFL contract doesn't arise, and I can prove my footy in whatever league I play in." 

Murphy was told at his exit meeting that he was behind the Dockers' other key defenders, with captain Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox the club's two pillars, and Oscar McDonald performing well when required at AFL level this season to earn a one-year deal for 2027. 

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Contracted talls Hugh Davies (2029) and Josh Draper (2027) were the club's preferred depth options, making it difficult for Murphy to prove himself at WAFL level and at times forcing him into the reserves team when the Dockers had a sole player on their injury list. 

After adding 16kg to his frame over three seasons, however, Murphy made a point of testing himself against the Dockers' star forwards in training and generating his own belief that he belonged on an AFL list. 

"Playing on (Pat) Voss, (Josh) Treacy and (Jye) Amiss, I reckon that was one of the biggest learnings for me," Murphy said. 

"At training, I'd be like 'get me on Treacy. I need to see what I can do'. 

"I had that mentality of, 'If I can defend those three, then I can take on any other key forwards at AFL level', and I think I had my days on them. 

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"Coming into the AFL, I was about 85kg, and now I'm 101kg, so it does feel like now I could flourish in the system, because my attributes like my contested marking and my running have only gotten better.

"Now I want to build that explosive power out on the field with my one-on-one defending and take that to a higher standard." 

Murphy, who was recruited from the Sandringham Dragons with pick No.41 in the 2023 draft, has recently returned home to Melbourne and continued a structured training routine. 

He hopes his football future will take shape in the coming weeks and potentially following the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft when list positions and training spots become clear for clubs. 

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After learning plenty from Pearce over his three seasons, Murphy said the Freo skipper had encouraged him to keep pursuing his dream and that his time would come.  

His three years at Fremantle had taught him plenty about himself and how to overcome setbacks, including a benign tumour under his hip, tendon injuries, and a late-season calf strain this year.  

Overall, Murphy said he had emerged a better person and player thanks to his time with the Dockers. 

"It was a very good experience. In terms of footy and knowledge of the game and my craft and my body, I couldn't have been at a better place. They're such professionals," he said. 

"I learned a lot about resilience and how you present yourself around the club. I prided myself on being a good person to be around at the club, even when I was playing reserves. 

"I just wanted to be a good teammate, make the boys laugh, and keep training to the highest standard. Just being a good bloke at the end of the day."