2016 Doig Medallist Lachie Neale spoke passionately at the Annual Members' Meeting on Wednesday night at Fremantle Oval, as more than 400 members came down to hear and contribute their thoughts on the future of the club.
Neale shared many touching moments with the crowd, speaking about seeing his brother play footy for the first time in the off-season, and the feeling of winning the Doig Medal after finishing runner-up countless times in junior footy best and fairests – earning a spontaneous round of applause from the Freo faithful.
But Neale meant business when he spoke about the expectations for himself and the club in the offseason.
“Personally, getting my body right is priority number one,” said Neale, who is recovering from two separate surgeries over the off-season break.
“Just getting fit and available for next year, I want to try and tick that off as quickly as I can.”
“As a collective, I think for us coming off a disappointing year, I think there’s going to be a lot of things that are going to be thrown up in terms of game plan.”
Neale says the signs are promising early. While the impressive inside midfielder sat out of Wednesday’s 3km time trial, he highlighted the importance of the group’s overall performance.
“The guys have come back in really good shape, which gives us a head start,” Neale said.
“Rather than trying to get people fit, which could take up to a month or two, the guys have presented really well.
“For us, that fitness base is going to be really important. Ross has already said that’s a main priority for us. We’ve got to be stronger and faster, and the game planning will come next year in January or February, and we’ll start working on that.”
While Neale was all business, three of Freo’s new recruits in Shane Kersten, Cam McCarthy and Bradley Hill opened up to the members present.
Shane Kersten joked about the jumper allocation process, having a dig at the other guys for getting first dibs.
“Yeah we did get to choose our jumpers,” said Kersten.
“But the other three boys got to choose first! There were a couple of numbers available so I grabbed 22 and I’m happy with it.”
Most of the biggest laughs of the night came whenever Bradley Hill spoke, including a not-so-subtle hint to Ross Lyon on where the running midfielder would like to play in 2017.
“Ross hasn’t told me where I’m going to play yet…but hopefully it’s the same spot as normal,” said Hill with a wry smile.
The evening was extra special for Kersten and McCarthy, speaking in the South Fremantle function room where they both played previously for South Fremantle in the WAFL.
“It’s pretty surreal to be honest, I never thought I’d be back here,” Kersten said
“I’ve been given an opportunity by the Fremantle Dockers, it’s exciting and I think the future’s bright here.
McCarthy echoed Kersten’s sentiments and spoke of his hunger to return to footy after a year out from the game.
“I’ve loved every minute of it,” said McCarthy of the last month at the club.
“Being a Freo local and living down the road it’s been good. After a year off footy I’ve really missed it. I’ve got my fire to play again and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
