The Fremantle midfield has been excited by the performance of new additions to the group, according to senior coach Ross Lyon
While injuries have affected the availability of some key members of Freo’s midfield, Lyon said the current group is continuing to grow and are enjoying the extended playing time together on game day.
“They’re (midfielders) excited by it,” Lyon said.
“(Stephen) Hill is in there, (Michael) Walters is in there, Clancee Pearce got a good opportunity and won some ground ball.
“You can think no (Nat) Fyfe, (David) Mundy, (Ryan) Crowley has been gone for a while, (Michael) Barlow’s not there and no (Aaron) Sandilands, it’s quite different but we know that’s going to stand us in good stead once we get an uplift with their return.”
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David Mundy has played the past three games after returning from an early season calf injury. He hasn’t played his usual midfield role, with the captain playing across halfback in recent weeks.
While Lyon admitted there are costs that come with Mundy not playing in the midfield, he was happy with how the captain has played in the backline and likes the flexibility it provides for the team.
“We’re developing some real flexibility within the team,” he said.
“Obviously it (comes at) a fair cost, but we know with him going down back that he’ll develop, it helps us, and we always know he can come back into the midfield.”
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With Mundy now occupying a post in the backline, Lyon said it has provided a good opportunity for Freo’s second year players, who are eager to prove themselves against AFL midfield competition.
“It wasn’t perfect but they’re learning all the time, it’s a growth mindset from them but at the end of the day they’ll have to do it (perform)” he said.
“We’ll persist and they’ll be times where they get exposed a bit but that’s going to happen at times.
“Weller’s really growing, Connor (Blakely) has had more time in the midfield, Ed’s (Langdon) running but his ability to make quick decisions against the pros is growing, but they all seem to be going okay.”
