It’s been a mixed pre-season for Fremantle’s first-year players as they settle into life on an AFL list, but Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell said there was no denying their talent.

Neil Erasmus has been the standout from a crop that includes fellow first round selection Jye Amiss, midfielder Matthew Johnson and forward/ruck Eric Benning.

Erasmus and Johnson have impressed in their time training with the main group. While Erasmus has gone on to have an impact in Fremantle’s match simulations, Johnson was unfortunately sidelined and underwent surgery on a fractured foot in mid-February.

Bell said Erasmus had made the most of his opportunities on the training track.

“Neil’s been able to get most of the pre-season under his belt, he’s a real work horse, a really tough player and he’s just learning the running-patterns of an AFL midfielder, the two-way run, setting up at stoppages, there’s a lot of information to process,” Bell told SEN WA in an interview with Paul Hasleby and Damian Martin.

“His absolute strength is his ability to win the footy and his work rate is really strong, he gives himself a really sound foundation for an AFL career.”

Both Amiss and Johnson are currently sidelined, however Amiss is close to a return to training with the main group.

“Jye will have some minutes, I think, next week in a practice match,” Bell siad.

“He just had some minor quad troubles through the pre-season with AFL (training) volumes put into him, so we’re looking forward to seeing more from Jye.”

Bell said Fremantle have eased Benning into training as he builds up to AFL fitness.

“He just needs a bit of work on his body but he will be involved in football as of next week as well (as Amiss),” Bell said.

“He needs a fair bit of time and we’ll be really patient with him as he builds his body into something that will be AFL ready. All of the guys have settled in really well, we’re really happy with that draft and it adds to the number of young players we’ve drafted over the past few years.”

A former teammate of Bell’s at Fremantle, Hasleby spoke of his excitement around the Club’s youth.

“The young players coming through…you’ve got so many, Hayden Young I think is someone who’s going to have a big season, Heath Chapman is back after injury. Michael Frederick has been burning the track is my mail. You’ve got Jordan Clark across from Geelong...and Sam Sturt,” Hasleby said.

Bell agreed, saying Fremantle have a significant number of young players who could have an impact this season.

“All of those names…they’re all 22 and under and for various reasons they haven’t been able to show their very best. Hayden Young certainly showed glimpses last year as did Jordan in his first season for Geelong,” Bell said.

“Chapman as well, I think all Fremantle people were excited from what we saw from him, his courage and toughness. He’s had a really good pre-season.

“Positionally, it is going to be tough for spots in that defensive group. Last year we were crulled by injury in that area, this year as it stands, we’ve got a lot of competition for spots. That’s really healthy and we’ll get to see who can grab their opportunities over the next fortnight (in the practice matches) against West Coast.”

Fremantle’s first practice match will be on Friday in a closed session at Optus Stadium, broadcast live on Kayo from 4.40pm.

They will then play the Eagles in an AAMI Community Series clash that will be open to the public at Fremantle Oval, with tickets on sale soon.

FREMANTLE’S PRE-SEASON GAMES
PRACTICE MATCH
West Coast v Fremantle
Optus Stadium
Friday 25 February
4.40pm AWST
Closed to public

AAMI COMMUNITY SERIES
Fremantle v West Coast
Fremantle Oval
Sunday 6 March
4.10pm AWST
Open to public

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