Eight Fremantle-listed players were in action on Saturday in a match simulation with WAFL alignment club Peel Thunder at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah.
Joel Hamling, Connor Blakely, James Aish, Brandon Walker, Sam Sturt, Josh Treacy, Neil Erasmus and Karl Worner all took part in the match.
Peel’s new senior coach Geoff Valentine told The West Australian that all players put in a good effort and got through the game injury free.
“Neil went really strong, he’s going to go really well because his work rate is elite. He’s got plenty of tricks but that’s his one-wood at the moment,” Valentine told The West.
“He puts his head over the footy and he cracks in. He’s going to be a good player.
“He’s still got a lot to develop but he was really strong alongside Connor Blakely, those two got Fremantle off to a flyer.
“Peel wrestled back the momentum late in the game to get within five points thanks to Blair Bell’s move into the midfield but Raz (Eramus) and Connor combined with Treacy and Sturty (Sam Sturt) to give them a little bit of an edge.
“Joel was dominant in the first half and his attitude was fantastic and then we swung him onto Treacy which was a great contest.”
Valentine said Treacy was a ‘dominant’ player at WAFL level, highlighting the selection crunch Justin Longmuir faces with his tall forwards.
Longmuir has previously stated his preference to play three tall forwards. This could include Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb and Treacy, however he may also consider rotating rucks Sean Darcy and Lloyd Meek through the forward line, especially with Meek impressing with one goal and a strong ruck performance in Friday’s practice match against West Coast.
“Treacy was dominant at that level, he was a class above in terms of impact on the game and the way he went about it so that will give JL (Longmuir) something to think about this week,” Valentine said.
“His marking was really strong, he presented really well, kicks the ball beautifully and is a ripping team player.”
Fremantle continue their pre-season on Sunday in their AAMI Community Series clash against West Coast at Fremantle Oval.
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