Small forward Michael Walters could be set for another stint in Fremantle’s midfield this week as Freo prepares for a tough midfield battle with Richmond on Sunday at the MCG.
The game pits the likes of Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and David Mundy against Richmond’s Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Shaun Grigg – and senior coach Ross Lyon predicts that Walters stands a chance to enter the fray.
After a quiet four touches in the opening term against Essendon in round seven at Domain Stadium, Walters moved into the midfield and racked up 26 disposals with 15 of those contested.
Lyon had predicted the move in a media conference earlier that week.
“I told you he’d start in the midfield, that was a stroke of genius wasn’t it?” joked Lyon.
“He played quite well. He had a lot of ground balls, he kept it simple. I thought his pressure was back to its very best.
“Even through he didn’t kick goals he certainly set up a lot of goals and played quite well.”
When asked if he would send Walters in the middle again, Lyon responded “why not?”.
Lyon acknowledged that life hasn’t been easy for Walters as a forward in 2017.
Walters has won Freo’s goal kicking award in three of the past four seasons but has kicked five goals from the opening seven rounds.
Lyon added that Walters’ midfield performance proves that the 26-year-old is still in good form and attributed any potential slump to external factors.
“I think if you look at (players such as) Brady Grey who is still building his reputation and Harley Balic’s still building a reputation,” Lyon said.
“But Michael’s got a big reputation hasn’t he, so he gets the lockdown defender.
“You play Hawthorn, he gets (Ben) Stratton hanging onto him pretty tightly all day.
“He gets that on a regular basis. Typically, he can work through it but if we’re not playing great footy and giving him good support and supply it makes it difficult.
“There’s no doubt that you get more freedom in the midfield.”
Lyon added that he hasn’t seen Walters get frustrated by his start to the season.
“He didn’t voice (any frustrations), he might have looked like it at time,” Lyon said.
“He’s a pretty fiery customer, I try not to upset him. He’s pretty tough so we try and accommodate his desires and needs.”
