DOCKERS THRIVE ON RUCK’N ROLE

One of Fremantle’s biggest issues last season was a lack of midfield depth. But in one off-season, the Dockers have managed to reinvent their midfield and it now looms as a weapon in 2024. Hayden Young’s long-awaited move to the midfield is not just gaining momentum, it looms as a genuine game-changer given his elite kicking skills and smooth moves in congestion. The forward experiment is over for Nat Fyfe with the veteran set to be a crucial cog onball. And that’s not to mention Jaeger O’Meara, Matthew Johnson, Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, giving Freo versatility and variety.

A NAT-URAL ONBALLER

Fyfe is virtually a new recruit for Fremantle this year. After several years plagued by injury, including a combination of plantar fasciitis and a foot stress fracture that ended his 2023 season, Fyfe has completed his best pre-season since Justin Longmuir arrived. The Dockers have finally realised the 32-year-old is not a forward, despite spending the best part of the last two seasons trying to mould him into one, paving the way for the two-time Brownlow medallist to return to the midfield and be the bigger body the sorely needs.

FIRING UP FORWARD

Long Fremantle’s kryptonite, the forward line looks a different proposition now. Albeit a young and evolving trio, the combination of Luke Jackson, Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss gives Fremantle genuine height and aerial options, something it has lacked since Matthew Pavlich retired. Amiss’s 41-goal return as a second-year player will only improve now that the youngster has added size and strength in the off-season. Treacy has been tipped by teammates and coaches to turn his physicality into a breakout season. Jackson can play anywhere but looks to have improved his contested marking.

LONGMUIR’S FUTURE

Out of contract but living in the moment, Justin Longmuir is refusing to let his contract situation influence Fremantle’s on-field fortunes. Longmuir’s current deal expires at season’s end and the club wants to see tangible improvement and results before entering into extension talks. Since taking on the job in 2020, Longmuir has taken Fremantle to finals just once in four seasons. The club is also on the clock to win a premiership by 2025 as per its strategic plan, putting more pressure on the players and Longmuir to return to finals. Longmuir’s future is in his own hands but the external noise will be hard to block out if the results don’t fall Fremantle’s way.