Justin Longmuir is hopeful Fremantle are ready to benefit from a culture shift, as he hands more trust and responsibility to the emerging playing group.
Speaking at the 2021 Doig Medal Presentation Dinner on Saturday night at Crown Perth, the senior coach spoke about the importance of having every player involved in the team’s direction.
“I think first and foremost we want to be a club where everyone feels like they can be themselves and contribute,” Longmuir said.
“We’ve broken down a lot of those barriers so players feel like they can be really comfortable being themselves.
“We’re also trying to build the connection to invest in their own games, others, the whole team and what we’re trying to do.”
Longmuir said it was imperative the group saw improvement across the board this pre-season as the group target making the Club’s first finals series since 2015.
Fremantle’s first to four-year players will begin their pre-season on Monday 22 November with the rest of the playing group following a fortnight later.
“I want as many ideas from as many people as we can, if we’re in that mindset, we’ll be a better side. Are we there yet? No, but I see a real core of players raising the bar and bring others along for the journey,” Longmuir said.
“As coaches, we care and support as best as we can. I think we’re heading in the right direction but in the pre-season that needs to go to another level, to where Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs are.
“That starts 22 November and I'm looking forward to getting back into action.”
Longmuir highlighted that Fremantle’s offence needed the most work, but added that this required a full-team shift.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do in all aspects of our game, especially in our offence,” Longmuir said.
“Our stoppages and team defence is in good order but our ball movement has a lot of work to do.
“A lot of that comes off how good we are with our pressure, which dropped off later in the year.
“If we become a better side and can get turnovers in better areas and be able to score, we just need to get more consistent, fast track our development and be a team that can execute and win any week and anywhere.”
