Thrown into the deep end against the reigning premiers, Fremantle debutants Harley Balic and Griffin Logue relished playing a role in one of the biggest upsets in Fremantle history.
After replacing 757 games of experience with 118 games – a youthful Fremantle handed the Western Bulldogs their first defeat since the two teams last met in round 23 of the 2016 season.
“It was absolutely unreal to start off (my career) with a win,” Balic said.
“Especially against the Bulldogs at home. The crowd was amazing and it was just a great atmosphere to play in.
“It was just awesome.”
Drenched in Gatorade after singing the team song, Logue beamed when reflecting on the scenes post-game.
“It was honestly a dream come true,” Logue said.
“Since I was a little kid (I’ve wanted) to do something like that.
“I was talking Garrick (Ibbotson) on the field about the whole experience. It’s been absolutely unreal.”
Balic admitted it took him a while to find his feet, but the 20-year-old was pleased to settle into the contest.
“It was a little bit hard at the start,” Balic said.
“But you start reading the game you start getting some minutes it gets a little bit easier.
“It was just great to be out there. When you're out there you don’t really need to think.
“It just comes naturally and you try not to think about it too much.”
Logue did well to read the play taking three intercept marks – but credited Fremantle’s leaders for setting the standard through the game.
“That’s what I was told to focus on pre-game,” Logue said.
“To just to read the ball and try and use it well from there.”
“(Ross Lyon) said he was happy with our effort and definitely the biggest point was our leaders stepping up.
“So Fyfey, Neale, Mundy and everyone. They were really good and stepped up and played their role, it was great to see.”
