The return of small Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski came with a new-look role during the weekend’s win over West Coast in the RAC Derby at Optus Stadium.
Switkowski split his time between his usual forward role and the midfield, where he featured in 13 centre bounces throughout the match.
The 24-year-old was instrumental with his pressure around the clearance, with an opportunity in the midfield that Switkowski hasn’t yet seen in purple.
“It was a nice little change up for me, it was the first time I’ve been in there (the midfield) since I came to the Club,” Switkowski told 6PR Sportsday.
“It was good to be amongst it and it certainly gets yourself into the game right from the start.
“It’s nice to be around the ball for that confidence…I really enjoyed it.”
Switkowski said the idea stemmed from the significant outs to Fremantle’s usual midfield mix including skipper Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters and Andy Brayshaw.
“With the outs of Fyfe, ‘Sonny’ and Andy it left a few holes in the midfield,” Switkowski said.
“I missed a few weeks with the hamstring and the idea popped up for me to just spend a little bit of time in there.
“In the end, I didn’t spend a hell of a lot in there, it was more centre square bounces to try something different and use my speed and pressure a little bit.
“It might be something in the works for the future, but we’ll see how we go.”
Switkowski is no stranger to midfield minutes playing plenty of time through the middle of the ground during his VFL career.
Versatility is a strength for Switkowski, blessed with an understanding of multiple roles all over the field.
“During juniors I was all over the place, I reckon I spent the first five years of my junior career playing off half-back,” Switkowski said.
“Then in the TAC Cup and my VFL days I played a fair chunk of midfield.
“Just before getting drafted (I played) that small forward role, and that was largely what got me drafted into the AFL.
“(It was) a role where I could specialise my strengths and something that Freo has valued.”
With the return of Brayshaw from a one-match suspension this weekend against St Kilda, it’s likely Switkowski will return to a small forward role, one that can be difficult to master at times.
“Playing that small forward role can be one of the hardest roles on the ground,” Switkowski said.
“Often the ball might not come your way, and if you don’t get a touch in the first ten minutes, you come off the interchange and then come back on and you can feel you’re just not in the game.
“It can be frustrating at times if you feel you aren’t impacting much, but the good thing is, especially with JL and the coaches, that we really value guys playing their role in the forward half.
“It’s not about the possessions…it’s about the tackle and pressure, locking the ball in our forward half and setting up properly which we really value.”
