Fremantle have secured three exciting young members of the Club’s future, with Brandon Walker, Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson all signing contract extensions.
The trio put pen to paper on fresh deals that will see Erasmus and Johnson with the Club until at least the end of the 2025 season, after adding two more years onto their first contracts with Fremantle.
Meanwhile, Walker also extends by another two seasons, which will see the rebounding half-back at Fremantle until at least the end of 2024.
Walker played ten games across his debut season with Fremantle, and impressed with his dash and agility, breaking the lines to help drive the football out of Freo’s defensive half.
The 19-year-old is part of a young backline group, that also features the likes of Hayden Young, Heath Chapman and new recruit Jordan Clark.
“It’s unreal, we are all pushing ourselves to be better and trying to get better in all aspects of our game,” Walker said.
“We are a really young and exciting team, and just getting better.
“It’s great to learn and be a part of this Club. I’m just living my dream playing football, so it’s awesome.”
The extension is the cherry on top of a big week for Erasmus, who made his AFL debut in last weekend’s RAC Derby win over West Coast.
Erasmus impressed on debut and executed his role well to finish with 18 disposals, seven score involvements and four marks.
Running out onto Optus Stadium for the first time as a Freo Docker, Erasmus labelled it an ‘unbelievable experience’, and felt excited for more to come.
“It was an unbelievable experience, you were in the crowds a year ago and now you are playing in front of them,” Erasmus said.
“I was little bit nervy coming through the race, but then all my mates were shouting in the stands, and it felt a bit more normal.
“In terms of my own game I was satisfied with it, there is still a lot of work to improve on and I just need to learn each week, review properly and move on to the next game.”
Taken with pick no.21 at last year’s NAB AFL Draft, Johnson’s first AFL pre-season has been interrupted with injury after hurting his ankle in January this year.
The classy, composed midfielder felt proud of the faith shown in him by the Club, who until recently has spent limited minutes on the track while rehabilitating his ankle.
“The Club has shown a lot of faith in me, and with my injury I haven’t been able to play in my first year,” Johnson said.
“The ankle is coming along quite well at the moment and I’m just starting to do a little bit of running now and upping my fitness.
“I’ve loved getting to know all the boys around the Club. The coaches and staff have been super supportive of me, and I think the Club is definitely heading in the right direction.
“We have got a bright future and I’m excited to be a part of it."
