- Oct 2, 2019
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- Fremantle
As former Dockers defender Zac Dawson watched on, plenty of eyes were on how Luke Jackson, Sean Darcy and Mason Cox were positioned at centre square set-ups. Get the latest from the track here!
Jackson was in the middle with Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Jaeger O’Meara and Corey Wagner. Shai Bolton was training as forward while Matt Johnson, Neil Erasmus and Nathan O’Driscoll worked on the wing. Will Jackson become a pure midfielder at centre bounces in 2026? All eyes will remain on him throughout the summer.
There are barely any of his former teammates still playing for the club but plenty of staff remain and that were thrilled to see him as he received a warm welcome back to the club.
Jackson intrigue
Luke Jackson’s role was one of the most fascinating parts of Fremantle training as the Dockers worked on their centre square set ups. Jackson had a superb season as Fremantle’s first choice ruckman while also spending time as a midfielder. But the arrival of Mason Cox has given the Dockers another established ruckman. That meant Jackson was training to be an onballer, while Cox, Sean Darcy, Aiden Riddle and SSP hopeful Zac Harding did the centre square ruck duties.Jackson was in the middle with Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Jaeger O’Meara and Corey Wagner. Shai Bolton was training as forward while Matt Johnson, Neil Erasmus and Nathan O’Driscoll worked on the wing. Will Jackson become a pure midfielder at centre bounces in 2026? All eyes will remain on him throughout the summer.
Dudley lights it up
Isaiah Dudley had an impressive debut season but knows there is plenty of competition for his position as a small forward, particularly given how the Dockers targeted those types of players at the draft. Dudley sent the coaches a reminder of how damaging he can be while applying forward pressure with two sensational efforts. First he gave Cooper Simpson absolutely nowhere to go when he got the ball and left the youngster floundering. Then he applied a fantastic chase on Bailey Banfield later in the session which forced a turnover.Banfield questions
Bailey Banfield started the session as a defender, which isn’t a shock given that’s where he played last season. But one his biggest qualities is an ability to play anywhere. Banfield has also been a forward and a wingman during his AFL career. So while most players spend the pre-season honing their craft on their main role, Banfield is moving around. Half way through the session, Banfield became a forward. Where will he play in 2026? He might just play everywhere.Familiar face
Former Dockers defender Zac Dawson made a surprise appearance at Fremantle HQ on Monday. Dawson moved back to Victoria at the end of an AFL career that saw him play for the Dockers, St Kilda and Hawthorn across 166 games and four grand finals. His last game for Fremantle was in 2017. Dawson was in Perth for business and stopped by the club to watch the team train.There are barely any of his former teammates still playing for the club but plenty of staff remain and that were thrilled to see him as he received a warm welcome back to the club.
