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Fremantle Dockers star Caleb Serong opens up on tough first years away from home amid COVID-19 pandemic​

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
Mon, 24 January 2022 2:00AM

Fremantle Dockers young gun [PLAYERCARD]Caleb Serong[/PLAYERCARD] has opened up on missing his family back in Victoria, as the first two years of his AFL career has coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.


Fremantle Dockers young gun Caleb Serong has opened up on missing his family back in Victoria, as the first two years of his AFL career has coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

Fremantle Dockers young gun Caleb Serong has opened up on missing his family back in Victoria, as the first two years of his AFL career coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting WA off from the rest of the country.
The 20-year-old moved to the west coast just before coronavirus outbreak, selected by the Dockers with pick 8 in the 2019 draft.
2020, Serong’s introduction to senior football, was heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis - which was formerly declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation on March 11 - eight days before the scheduled start of the season.
The AFL managed to sneak one round in before the league shutdown until June 11, three months later, while Serong had to wait until round four for his debut.
[PLAYERCARD]Caleb Serong[/PLAYERCARD] with [PLAYERCARD]Justin Longmuir[/PLAYERCARD] after being drafted by the Dockers with pick 8 in 2019.
Caleb Serong with Justin Longmuir after being drafted by the Dockers with pick 8 in 2019. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos
But despite a clean-sweep of the first-year awards in his introductory season, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the formidable midfielder.
“It’s been difficult, especially at times where say it’s in the footy season and things aren’t going well and whenever it’s kind of tough to escape footy ‘cause you’ve got your mates at the club and the coaching staff but I guess we don’t have a lot of connection elsewhere other than that,” Serong told The West Australian.
“But for a lot of us guys, we’ve got partners over here that have made the sacrifice to move over, which has been a massive help for a lot of us and has really made the transition over the last two years a lot easier.
“For me, my parents have only been over here about three or four days each since I got drafted and I’ve only been back for a few weeks since.
“I haven’t seen them a lot over the past two years and at times you do miss them a lot.”
While the February 5 border opening delay hasn’t helped the light at the end of the tunnel get much brighter, Serong has found comfort in the fact that he isn’t the only Docker missing loved ones.
Defender Hayden Young (pick 7) was drafted in the same year as Serong, joining fellow Victorians including Sam Sturt, Lachie Schultz, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Lloyd Meek, Sam Switkowki, Sean Darcy and Luke Ryan to join the club’s list since 2016.
While Cerra packed his bags to return home at the end of last season, Serong insists the rest of the players from interstate are throwing their arms around each-other as they chase success in purple together.
That group of interstate guys are really close and over the last two years, it’s been really tough,” Serong said.
“A lot of guys haven’t been able to see their families and haven’t been able to get home so we’ve kind of been stuck here together and you can look at it in a negative light that we’ve been away from our families and it’s been tough for us, which it has.
“But it’s also allowed us to grow together and really get close and lean on each-other a lot, which has built that connection.”
Serong revealed around 30 players spent Christmas Day together at the house of Fremantle vice-captain Brayshaw, as they “couldn’t get home” to see their families due to WA’s strict border controls.
“Those kind of things are things that really build the connection and that culture at the club that you don’t want to leave,” he said.
“So that’s what we’re doing at the moment and hopefully everyone feels the same way, because I’m really loving what we’re building at the moment at the club.”
Serong says the Dockers drafted from interstate have a special bond.


Serong says the Dockers drafted from interstate have a special bond. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos
“I guess for me we just try to put our arms around each-other and grow that connection because it’s not going to be like this forever – hopefully – but for this moment, the positives we can take out of it is the connection we’re building.
“To lean on each-other as much as we have and other teams in the competition haven’t really had to deal with it as much as we have and obviously they’re going through other stuff with COVID but for us, we’re trying to take this as a really positive experience for us to improve our culture and build that connection.”
 

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Dockers training notes: Limping Rory Lobb, Nat Fyfe misses match sim and David Mundy still in rehab group​

Headshot of Jordan McArdle

Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Mon, 24 January 2022 12:12PM
Jordan McArdle

Fremantle's [PLAYERCARD]David Mundy[/PLAYERCARD] was restricted to laps, while ruck-forward [PLAYERCARD]Rory Lobb[/PLAYERCARD] appeared to hurt his ankle.


Fremantle's David Mundy was restricted to laps, while ruck-forward Rory Lobb appeared to hurt his ankle. Credit: The West Australian Sport

Limping Lobb
Fremantle forward-ruck Rory Lobb appeared to hurt his ankle during match simulation.
Lobb, who has had a history of ankle issues, looked in serious discomfort when it happened and limped around for a bit, but still managed to complete the session.
[PLAYERCARD]Rory Lobb[/PLAYERCARD] was in pain after appearing to hurt his ankle.


Rory Lobb was in pain after appearing to hurt his ankle. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Midfielder Connor Blakely copped a hit around the same time but continued on after taking a bit of time get up.
On a positive note, a bulked-up Sam Sturt completed his first match sim of the summer as the classy forward looks to put a horror run of injuries behind him.
Missing in action
Nat Fyfe started and finished the session but didn’t take part in match sim as he builds fitness after post-season surgery.
Nat Fyfe and [PLAYERCARD]Caleb Serong[/PLAYERCARD] have a chat at training.


Nat Fyfe and Caleb Serong have a chat at training. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
The dual Brownlow medallist went over to the rehab group, which consisted of top-10 pick Jye Amiss, veteran David Mundy and second-year forward Josh Treacy, when match sim started.
Mundy mainly ran laps as he recovers from an ankle injury sustained in the final pre-Christmas session.
The West Australian understands East Perth product Amiss is being managed after a bit of soreness following a return to full load post-Christmas and nothing to do with last year’s knee injury.
[PLAYERCARD]David Mundy[/PLAYERCARD] was restricted to running laps.


David Mundy was restricted to running laps. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Reigning Doig medallist Sean Darcy looked sore and didn’t do a massive amount, taking part in the warm up before disappearing inside the club’s Cockburn headquarters.
Darcy then came back out and did various leg stretches away from the main group with his left knee heavily strapped.
Recruit Jordan Clark and injury-prone midfielder Luke Valente also weren’t sighted after the warm ups, while draftee Matt Johnson didn’t take part due to a suspected foot injury.
Defender Joel Hamling joined in the first half of the session before doing some sprints on his own.
The number of players missing is still a lot lower than it usually is this time of year for the Dockers.
Learning from Lecca
Josh Treacy was making the most of West Coast great Mark Lecras’ return to Fremantle, spending plenty of time with him during the session.
Treacy and Lecras did various drills together before the hulking forward joined the rehab group.
Former West Coast spearhead [PLAYERCARD]Mark LeCras[/PLAYERCARD] helps out Fremantle forward Josh Treacy.


Former West Coast spearhead Mark LeCras helps out Fremantle forward Josh Treacy.Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
Lecras is back for his second coaching stint at the Dockers, in a part-time forward role, after returning to his old club West Coast for a bit.
COVID scare
Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy presentation morning, due to be held inside Cockburn ARC in a meeting room, was cancelled because the venue was a possible COVID-19 exposure site.
No Dockers players were affected by the COVID scare.
 

Fremantle Dockers recruit Will Brodie on track for early midfield opportunity after impressive match sim​

Headshot of Mark Duffield

Mark DuffieldThe West Australian
Wed, 2 February 2022 2:27PM
Mark Duffield

Fremantle recruit [PLAYERCARD]Will Brodie[/PLAYERCARD] has been pushing for midfield minutes.
Fremantle recruit Will Brodie has been pushing for midfield minutes. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian

Fremantle recruit Will Brodie looks bound for an early season opportunity at AFL level after a strong performance midfield in a hard fought practice match at Cockburn on Wednesday morning.
Brodie kicked two critical goals from the midfield as his White team fought of the Purple team’s down breeze finish to win by a point over four twenty minute quarters which were interrupted by a time out halfway through each.
Blustery conditions at Cockburn meant the game was frequently scrappy but the big bodied Brodie’s performance as Andrew Brayshaw’s main support for White was an eye catcher.



In the dying seconds of the game he also won several critical contested possessions to deny Purple late chances to attack.
Brodie, 23, the ninth player taken overall in the 2016 national draft, left the Suns for greater opportunity at the end of the 2021 season after playing 25 games over five seasons. Gold Coast had sought to progress the careers of blue chip youngsters like Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson in their midfield and Brodie played just five games in 2021 as a result.
[PLAYERCARD]Will Brodie[/PLAYERCARD] has pushed into the Dockers midfield during training.
Will Brodie has pushed into the Dockers midfield during training. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian
The Dockers received Brodie and the pivotal number 19 selection in the draft that netted Matt Johnson in exchange for swapping a future second and fourth round pick for two future fourth round picks.
Lloyd Meek, who also played for the White team, had the better of the ruck duel against a trimmed down Sean Darcy early before Darcy fought back after half time. Meek took several marks around the ground and got forward for a goal after a contested mark and goal before Darcy’s stoppage work got Purple rolling after half time.
Joel Hamling missed the game for personal reasons to attend to a family matter but even without him the match highlighted the Dockers defensive riches. At one end Hayden Young, Heath Chapman, Griffin Logue and Luke Ryan held the fort for Purple while at the other end Alex Pearce, Jordan Clark, Brennan Cox, Nathan Wilson and Brandon Walker. James Aish was also absent nursing some achilles tendon soreness.
Other good signs for the Dockers were Sam Sturt who played for Purple and led positively to kick two goals in his first match practice of the pre-season. Forward Matt Taberner also got through two quarters of game time and took a strong contested mark in the opening term.
Meanwhile captain Nathan Fyfe and veteran David Mundy continue to train away from the main group, although Fyfe ran very powerfully and looks to be in good shape to resume full training when the club declares him ready for full body contact.
 

Original Post: Training - 2022 Preseason​

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Fremantle Dockers training notes: Nat Fyfe gets physical as he nears return to main group, match sim shake up​

Headshot of Eliza Reilly

Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
Mon, 7 February 2022 1:35PM
Eliza Reilly

Nat Fyfe looks close to resuming with the main training group.


Nat Fyfe looks close to resuming with the main training group. Credit: Tom Fee/Fremantle FC

Fyfe gets physical​

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe continues to tick boxes as he edges closer to a return to full training.
As has become custom the past couple of weeks, the 30-year-old warmed up with the main group and integrated into ball movement drills before heading over to rehab.
The Dockers are yet to declare Fyfe ready for full contact training but it didn’t stop the two-time Brownlow medallist ramping up his intensity away from the main group.
Fyfe was spotted grappling with a club staff member in rehab, putting his shoulder to the test as he fended off the would-be tackler in a simulated contested ball situation.
Just like he’d do if he was at a stoppage, Fyfe fought for front position in signs his shoulder is almost at full strength again.

Straight back into it​

After being gifted a four-day break late last week, the Dockers didn’t hold back in their return to training on Monday morning.

Fremantle completed their usual warm-up and launched straight into a 10-minute quarter of match simulation.

[PLAYERCARD]Griffin Logue[/PLAYERCARD] tries to escape a [PLAYERCARD]Will Brodie[/PLAYERCARD] tackle.


Griffin Logue tries to escape a Will Brodie tackle. Credit: Tom Fee/Fremantle FC
Lloyd Meek, Andrew Brayshaw, Will Brodie and Nathan O’Driscoll lined up in the midfielder for team purple. For team yellow it was Neil Erasmus, Mitch Crowden, Caleb Serong and Sean Darcy.
Purple had the run of play early as Brodie kicked the sole goal of the quarter from a scrimmage inside 50.
Yellow fought back in the second half of the term but couldn’t capitalise on a strong breeze.
Matt Taberner was the focal point for team yellow after spending a large chunk of pre-season in the rehab group after off-season ankle surgery.
And while it was great to see the key forward back in action, it was a difficult breeze to read and Taberner was corralled under the ball in pack situations.
Matt Taberner has returned to full training after an interrupted off-season.


Matt Taberner has returned to full training after an interrupted off-season. Credit: Tom Fee/Fremantle FC
Joel Hamling participated fully in another sign the injury-prone defender is on track for practice matches later this month.
After the 10 minutes were up, instead of resting, the playing group were split into three groups and practised moving the ball by hand in tight, contested situations.
Then it was time for quarter two.
Peel Thunder players Luke Polson, Jack Sears, Roy George, Lachlan Cullen and Northern Territory recruit Wade Derksen also took ranging parts in the session as part of Fremantle’s WAFL alignment.
But the Dockers are still finalising train-on invitations as they ponder what to do with a vacant list spot opened up by Luke Valente’s shock retirement.

Rehab ward​

With pre-season matches scheduled at the end of the month, there’s still hope the Dockers could have close to a full playing list available by that point.
Draftee Matthew Johnson appears the most serious injury of the lot as he continues to manage a foot ailment. But the other Dockers in rehab ran freely.
David Mundy, Fyfe and Josh Treacy appear the most advanced of the lot after warming up with their teammates in the main group.
Liam Henry ran laps, leaving James Aish and Eric ‘Roy’ Benning on the far side of the oval.
 

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Training - 2022 Preseason

Hayden young IS a surfer. HAMISH BRAYSHAW? Seriously.
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Fremantle Dockers star Caleb Serong says club has ‘had enough’ of hearing about their potential​

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
Fri, 18 February 2022 12:38PM
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The Dockers are over hearing about their


The Dockers are over hearing about their Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Fremantle star Caleb Serong says the Dockers have “had enough” of hearing about how good the club could be, saying they are ready to deliver on their potential in season 2022.
The 21-year-old, who became the newest member of Fremantle’s leadership group earlier this week, declared the playing group’s animosity towards the phrase after narrowly missing out on finals again last year.
The Dockers finished in 11th spot last season, just one win and percentage out of the eight - a pill made even tougher to swallow by a demoralising 58-point drubbing by St Kilda in the final round.

It was not a good end to the season for Fremantle, who had shown glimpses of improvement in 2021.


It was not a good end to the season for Fremantle, who had shown glimpses of improvement in 2021. Credit: Steve Bell/AFL Photos/via AFL Photos
But while 2021 saw flickers of improvement, players’ stocks rise and a culture crusade by Fremantle, Serong says the team are done building the vehicle for success and are ready to hit the accelerator.

“The last four or five years we’ve turned to youth and tried to really draft well and get good, young characters in with a lot of talent,” Serong told Triple M.

“Over the last year or two, we’ve been able to see the potential of the group, but I think at this stage we’re at a point where we’ve had enough of hearing that word ‘potential ‘and what we could achieve and how good we could be.

“For us, we just want to win games for the Freo footy club and play in big games.”

[PLAYERCARD]Caleb Serong[/PLAYERCARD].


Caleb Serong. Credit: Fremantle FC
Serong praised the attitude of the young crop of Dockers, who are giving the senior players added motivation this pre-season.

“Within the four walls, you see the intensity that everyone is bringing day-to-day and the standards are being lifted and that’s being driven from the younger guys,” he said.
“(Their) work ethic and appetite to get better has gone to another level again.
“I guess with that kind of intensity and enthusiasm, it drives those older boys along as well and brings them along for the ride.”
Fremantle’s midfield prowess took a hit with the departure of former number five pick Adam Cerra, who joined Carlton in the trade period in exchange for pick six.
That selection was used to recruit East Perth sharpshooter Jye Amiss, while the Dockers also picked up midfielders Neil Erasmus and Matt Johnson, forward-ruck Roy Benning and Karl Worner in the national and rookie drafts.
New draft recruits Matt Johnson, Neil Erasmus, Jye Amiss and Eric Benning.


New draft recruits Matt Johnson, Neil Erasmus, Jye Amiss and Eric Benning. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian
The club also attained the services of speedster Jordan Clark (from Geelong) to add pace off half-back and on the wing, while Will Brodie (Gold Coast) will help cover the loss of Cerra in the engine room.
Meanwhile, the return of injured promising young guns Heath Chapman and Sam Sturt, along with luckless defender Joel Hamling, will be a major boost for the Dockers in 2022.
 
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Mega Thread - Miscellaneous Freo Discussion thread

No Walters. I'm a bit surprised. Ah, his choice to stand down. That explains it. Bit sad. Would’ve loved for him to be captain for one game. He deserves it
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Audio interview with Justin Longmuir from last Friday SEN. Couldn't find it on the Fremantle Website.

player.whooshkaa.com

Justin Longmuir (18/02/22)

Fremantle Dockers head coach Justin Longmuir joined Goss and Ash Nelson to talk about Freo's pre-season, Sam Switkowski being 'elite' and Nat Fyfe's goatee.
player.whooshkaa.com player.whooshkaa.com
 
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Training - 2022 Training Reports

"Fremantle have a good looking midfield but what if the whole team perishes in a plane crash? That's going to hurt their chances of making the 8." Didn't think about it like this! May as well tip us for the spoon now!
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Nothing to get excited about here...

 
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Training - 2022 Preseason

Looks like Friday's game is being moved to Mineral Resouces Park...according to Gossage
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Fremantle Dockers training notes: Sean Darcy set to miss Friday’s practice match with thumb injury​

Headshot of Braden Quartermaine

Braden QuartermaineThe West Australian
Wed, 23 February 2022 12:40PM
Braden Quartermaine


Gun ruckman [PLAYERCARD]Sean Darcy[/PLAYERCARD] has become the latest big-name injury worry at Fremantle, sitting out of this morning’s light touch session with a thumb injury.


Gun ruckman Sean Darcy has become the latest big-name injury worry at Fremantle, sitting out of this morning’s light touch session with a thumb injury. Credit: The West Australian

STANDING OUT
Gun ruckman Sean Darcy has become the latest big-name injury worry at Fremantle, sitting out of this morning’s light touch session with a thumb injury.
Darcy, who emerged as one of the competition’s premier ruckmen last season, watched on with a small brace supporting his left thumb.
The 2021 All-Australian squad member is set to miss Friday’s practice match against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park, but the Dockers expect he will be available for the return pre-season bout at Fremantle Oval on March 6 as a tune-up for round one.
Darcy had been managed recently with a minor Achilles issue but has enjoyed a strong summer on the track for the most part.
Fremantle will be keen to take a no-risk approach with the 23-year-old ahead of their season-opening trip to play Adelaide on March 20, as they target their first round one road win since 2014.

MID-STRENGTH
Darcy is set to join a host of big names in sitting out of Friday’s practice match against West Coast, with midfield trio Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Darcy Tucker also set to miss.
Veteran forward Michael Walters did some touch work on his own rather than joining the main group and is also likely to be absent, while utility James Aish also watched on.

[PLAYERCARD]Darcy Tucker[/PLAYERCARD].

Defender Luke Ryan and midfielder Will Brodie both sported bandages on their calves and will be closely monitored.
Brodie joined handball games with his teammates and looked to move freely.
Tucker, who has suffered another hamstring setback, jogged rehab laps and did other running drills by himself and is racing time to be fit for the season-opener.
As the end of a long, hot pre-season nears ahead of Friday’s practice match, the Dockers were in jovial spirits during a short touch session that involved plenty of fun.

Assistants Tendai Mzungu and Joel Corey used racquets to hit tennis balls at a long slips cordon, with the players putting plenty down but also taking a few one-handed screamers.

[PLAYERCARD]Jordan Clark[/PLAYERCARD].


Jordan Clark. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian
New recruit Jordan Clark would have felt at home, as a star junior cricketer who once took a hat-trick for the Australian under-16 team against Pakistan’s equivalent.
Former Docker Mzungu might have had some advice too, having taken a classic catch of his own on a crowded WACA grass bank during the 2013/14 Big Bash League final.
 

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Training - 2022 Preseason

So Rogers, Schlensog, Cullen and Polson to train with us No Strom or Wade Derkson who seemed an interesting proposition I'd like a fwd that can ruck (in case Lobb goes down) so Schlensog or Polson for me Yeah I'd be favouring Schlensog too.
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Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir says 11 defenders will fight for seven spots in practice games​


Fremantle will use two pre-season games against West Coast to identity their preferred back-line for round one, with coach Justin Longmuir saying he has 11 defenders he would be comfortable selecting.

And in an indication the Dockers will be wary of jamming too many tall defenders into the same back seven, Longmuir said rebound was front of mind.

Joel Hamling, who has played just one game in the past two seasons, is ready to launch another comeback but there’s no guarantee both he and Alex Pearce can fit into the line-up to take on Adelaide in Fremantle’s season-opener.

The Dockers have Hamling, Pearce, Brennan Cox and Griffin Logue as options in the key posts, Luke Ryan, Heath Chapman, Hayden Young and Ethan Hughes as mid-sized intercept types and speedy rebounders Jordan Clark, Nathan Wilson and Brandon Walker.

“We’ve got a clear 11 guys that I’d be really comfortable with playing in our back-line round one,” Longmuir said.

“It’s going to be a good problem to have come round one and it’s a good opportunity over the next two weeks for the players to show their wares and put their hand up and earn a spot.

“We need to make sure when we work through that, that we’re really balanced with our back-line and we make sure that we can defend really well, but also get out of our back-line a bit better than what we did last year.

“We got stuck in our back-half and turned the ball over too much in our back 50. So we need to make sure we’ve got some good ball use back there.”
Gold Coast recruit Will Brodie and fringe forward Mitch Crowden will get golden opportunities to press their claims when they are handed key on-ball roles against the Eagles at Mineral Resources Park on Friday due to some big-name absences.

Longmuir said injuries to Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Caleb Serong over the summer had helped deepen the Dockers’ on-ball reserves.
“We still think Fyfe, Mundy, Serong, (Andrew) Brayshaw and (Sean) Darcy will be our core midfielders. It’s just how we probably complement them guys,” he told TABradio.

“We’re still trying to work out how we fill the wing roles.”

Longmuir declared the squad the best it had looked in his time in charge.

“I think we’re in a better position than what we have been in the last couple of years,” he said.

“I think we’ve got a lot more work into our players. I think our players can be really satisfied that they’re fitter and stronger than they’ve been in the past.

“We’re definitely at the stage now where we need to play against someone else to see where we’re at.”

Meanwhile, Fremantle are implementing stringent COVID testing procedures – with a special focus on monitoring players and coaches with school-aged children – in an effort to keep the virus out of the playing group for as long as possible.

Longmuir said he had been RAT testing daily since his own children returned to school.

“It is taking hold and we have to be really careful in club land with the physical training we do together and the meetings and that type of thing,” he said.

“We’ve been probably more cautious than most clubs from an early time. We’ve been identifying people at higher risk and those people with kids.

“So far, so good. We’ve managed to dodge it. We’ve made sure our players are staying away from probably the more high-risk areas.

“We’re just trying to take every precaution we can. The risk of it getting into our club and costing players games and training sessions and spreading across the club is just too high of a risk to take.”
 

Training - 2022 Preseason

So Rogers, Schlensog, Cullen and Polson to train with us No Strom or Wade Derkson who seemed an interesting proposition I'd like a fwd that can ruck (in case Lobb goes down) so Schlensog or Polson for me Yeah I'd be favouring Schlensog too.
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Fremantle Dockers training notes: Train-ons Luke Polson, Lachie Cullen on deck as key players sit out​


New kids on the block

Fremantle’s four train-ons were on deck for day one of their two-week training block ahead of the March 9 Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) deadline.

Peel Thunder pair Luke Polson and Lachie Cullen took part in main training, while Claremont’s Sandover medallist Bailey Rogers and South Fremantle swingman Blake Schlensog watched on from the sidelines after undergoing medicals.

Polson, a hulking 18-year-old key-position player, and Cullen, a 22-year-old classy small forward, are no strangers to Cockburn, having spent several sessions there this summer as part of the Dockers’ WAFL alignment with the Thunder.

Fremantle had also shown interest in Bulldogs premiership utility Zac Strom and Peel recruit Wade Derksen but they were refused permission by the AFL for them to train because they hadn’t met the criteria of nominating for the 2021 national draft.

There’s one available spot on the Dockers list after luckless midfielder Luke Valente’s recent retirement.

Missing again

For the second day in a row, ruckman Sean Darcy didn’t take part in training.

The Doig medallist looks unlikely to feature in Friday’s scratch match against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park due to a thumb injury.

Darcy was seen with a brace on his left thumb on Wednesday but wasn’t sighted at all on Thursday while the session was open to the media.

It leaves Lloyd Meek and versatile tall Rory Lobb as the two fit ruckmen for the Eagles clash.

Easy does it

Defensive duo Alex Pearce and Luke Ryan were on light duties with matching calf strapping, one day out from Fremantle’s first pre-season scratch match.

Former Gold Coast Sun Will Brodie had some lighter calf bandaging but at least took part in main training in a promising sign.

Key forward Matt Taberner was on the other side of the dugout alongside draftees Eric ‘Roy’ Benning (managed), Jye Amiss (quad) and Matt Johnson (foot).
 

Mega Thread - Miscellaneous Freo Discussion thread

Freo media just deleted an Instagram post of Nat Fyfe from training yesterday. He was wearing a sick purple corduroy hat with vintage logo, that I can't find anywhere. Think they deleted it due to jumping the gun on the merchandise? It's on Fyfes Insta story and he tagged Hatlocker, so shoot...
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2022 Peel Thunder

Anybody got any news re the Peel scratchie from yesterday?
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Neil Erasmus, Josh Treacy, Joel Hamling, Connor Blakely and more impress in Fremantle’s hit-out v Peel Thunder​

Headshot of Jordan McArdle

Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Sun, 27 February 2022 1:25PM
Jordan McArdle

Neil Erasmus (left) impressed in the scratch match.


Neil Erasmus (left) impressed in the scratch match. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

Top-10 pick Neil Erasmus, hulking forward Josh Treacy and forgotten defender Joel Hamling have issued a selection reminder for Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir after starring in Fremantle’s intra-club scratch match with WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder.
After missing selection for Freo’s pre-season derby win on Friday, the trio were among eight Dockers-listed players to take the field against an exciting young Peel outfit the following day to push their case for a call-up in Sunday’s AAMI Community Series rematch with the Eagles at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.
Treacy was the premier goal-kicker in the match after an interrupted pre-season to follow last year’s debut campaign, where he booted 13 majors in 15 games.
Midfield workhorse Subiaco product Erasmus looms as a contender for an early-season debut, while Hamling, the best defender on the ground in the first half, swapped sides at half-time to help curtail Treacy’s influence in an entertaining battle.
“Treacy was dominant at that level, he was a class above in terms of impact on the game and the way he went about it so that will give JL (Longmuir) something to think about this week,” Peel Thunder coach Geoff Valentine said.
“His marking was really strong, he presented really well, kicks the ball beautifully and is a ripping team player.
Josh Treacy is putting his hand up.


Josh Treacy is putting his hand up. Credit: Iain Gillespie/The West Australian
“Neil went really strong, he’s going to go really well because his work rate is elite. He’s got plenty of tricks but that’s his one-wood.
“He puts his head over the footy and he cracks in, he’s got a lot to develop but he was really strong alongside Connor Blakely, those two got Fremantle off to a flyer.
“Peel wrestled back the momentum late in the game to get within five points thanks to Blair Bell’s move into the midfield but Raz (Eramus) and Connor combined with Treacy and Sturty (Sam Sturt) to give them a little bit of an edge.
“Joel was dominant in the first half and his attitude was fantastic and then we swung him onto Treacy which was a great contest.”
All eight Fremantle-listed players started in the same side, including fringe midfielder Connor Blakely who racked up the footy inside, injury-prone forward Sam Sturt who had some classy moments in attack and half-backs James Aish and Brandon Walker.
Blakely was the unused medical substitute in Friday’s scratch match demolition of the Eagles but continued his impressive pre-season with a dominant display.
Rookie addition Karl Worner spent his first game in Freo colours on a wing.
It gives coach Longmuir some welcome selection headaches ahead of their season opener against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on March 20.
Fremantle got through both Friday night and Saturday injury-free and have ruckman Sean Darcy, midfielders Nat Fyfe and David Mundy, defender Luke Ryan and forward Michael Walters ready to resume.
Fyfe is likely to be on restricted minutes in his expected return from shoulder surgery.
“We think Darcy, Ryan, Mundy, Walters should all be back and Fyfe should play some footy next week,” Longmuir said on Friday.
Valentine was pleased with how his new recruits including Wade Derksen, whose train-on stint with Fremantle was knocked back by the AFL because he didn’t nominate for last year’s draft, ruckman Riley Smith, Victorian midfielder Zac Pretty and speedy Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault product Ty Anderson.
“Riley Smith was the dominant ruckman on the ground, Zac Pretty is going to add to our midfield stocks and can find the footy, Derksen did some classy things up forward and got going in the second half,” Valentine said.
“Ty Anderson from HBL was really impressive and (dual premiership forward) Blair Bell has had a really good pre-season so there was quite a bit to take out of it for us.”
 
Last edited by a moderator:


  • sounds like erasmus had some form of setback, still building his body up apparently so why wasn't playing on friday, so probably won't play on sunday either
  • jl apparently very positive on amiss
  • daniels still loves chapman
 

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