Fremantle Dockers trio Isaiah Dudley, Oscar McDonald and Toby Whan sign contract extensions on eve of finals

Fremantle trio Isaiah Dudley, Oscar McDonald and Toby Whan have signed contract extensions with the club on the eve of their finals campaign.

On Friday morning, the Dockers announced small forward Dudley had hit a trigger in his deal to extend his time in purple through next season, but had also penned an agreement which would keep him at the club until the end of 2029.

Veteran defender McDonald will remain with Fremantle for at least another season after signing a one-year extension, while untried winger Whan has committed for another two years.

Signed by the Dockers on the eve of last season through the supplemental selection period, Dudley has taken his game to a new level in 2026, slotting 28 goals across his 23 games.

Fremantle’s head of player personnel David Walls said the deal was just reward for the 21-year-old’s “outstanding season”.

“This is the first year where he’s had a full pre-season after being picked up by the club as an SSP pick in February 2025, and we’ve seen what that work on and off the track can do for him,” Walls said.

“He has great relationships with Shai Bolton, Michael Frederick and, more broadly, the entire squad, and he’s certainly a fan favourite.

McDonald has played 10 AFL games this year for the Dockers, the most in any of his three seasons at the club, and has struck a particularly rich vein of form in the back-end of their campaign.

The 30-year-old, who was recalled to cover for Brennan Cox in round 20 and has remained in their senior side since, is a near-certainty to remain in their side for Thursday’s qualifying final against Hawthorn due to Cox being sidelined with a calf injury.

“Oscar has been really important for us this year. Early on he was filling roles, but the back end of the season saw him gather some really strong form and hold down his spot,” Walls said.

“He’s got great experience, can go forward or behind the ball, so his versatility as a tall target is a great asset for our team.

“When he’s been at WAFL level he’s been a great leader for our key stocks down there and just plays his role week in, week out, which we really value.”

Whan, who was taken by the club as a category B rookie last year after being overlooked in the national and rookie drafts, has been a stand-out performer for Peel Thunder in the WAFL as the club claimed the first minor premiership in their history.

After starting the season in their reserves, the 19-year-old has stood out in wing and inside midfield roles, averaging 19.1 disposals and slotting seven goals in his 15 league appearances.