Freo’s Frederick wants form over flip
Fremantle forward Michael Frederick has conceded it will take something special to revisit the backflip, one year on from his now-famous derby celebration.
Frederick revealed that the spectacular trick was selftaught while growing up in South Australia.
It has been 12 months since the 23-year-old sent fans into raptures after snapping his second goal against West Coast and celebrated with a “spur of the moment” flip.
“It’s probably in the bin,” Frederick said. “I’m not too sure how JL (coach Justin
Longmuir) would feel about it.
“I’m not too sure when the right moment would be to do something like that. I’ll stick to playing footy for now.
“It was more self-taught on the trampoline at home when I was little. No specific training or anything.”
Even if the backflip is out, Frederick still brings plenty to Fremantle’s starting side.
The lightning small forward kicked the final goal of the match of the Dockers win over Adelaide, cutting off a kick that was bound for a Crows defender before calmly converting the set shot.
Frederick finished the match with nine disposals, five marks and one goal assist. He was most pleased, though, with his six tackles and 22 pressure acts as he used his pace to worry the opposition.
“If anything to be honest, I don’t think my pressure has been great the first two games,” he said.
“It’s something I pride myself on. You do get good looks with the footy or get yourself into games through pressure acts and things like that. Today (I) maybe showed that a little bit but it’s something that I can get better at as the year goes on.”
It’s part of the Dockers collective effort to replace departed goalsneak Lachie Schultz.
Tom Emmett has brought intensity in attack but is yet to hit the scoreboard. But alongside Frederick, Michael Walters and Sam Switkowski, Fremantle’s smalls have effectively bridged the Schultz gap.
“A lot of the guys that come into the team, our front six or seven and our small guys that play can fill the role seamlessly. That’s how we look at it,” Frederick said.
Important Essendon defender Jordan Ridley is in the frame for the Bombers’ blockbuster clash against Port Adelaide on Friday night, but the selection call will go down to the wire.
The star interceptor was sidelined on the eve of the season with an injured quad muscle and has missed the Bombers’ first three games but could return to the backline in time for the tantalising Gather Round match-up.
Coach Brad Scott said Ridley could be picked to face the Power but whether he played would ultimately come down to a last-minute fitness test, while midfielder Will Setterfield (knee) was in a similar situation.
“I haven’t got a report whether (Ridley) will be available this week – it’ll be a bit of a challenge this week, we’ll have a short, sharp training session this week,” he said.
Setterfield was a late withdrawal from the fourpoint win over the Saints with a swollen knee after he’d had an awkward landing on the SCG cricket pitch in round 2.
Scott said he “could’ve played” if needed.