Even before Will Brodie had arrived at Fremantle, Sean Darcy knew Fremantle were onto a winner.

The new recruit was once again Fremantle’s disposal leader in the 78-point win against North Melbourne with 37 touches and his skilful handball game on display, while adding five inside 50s and four clearances.

The 23-year-old from Shepparton is averaging 27 disposals per game, well above his average of 13 in 2021 and his career high of 22 in 2019 when he was at Gold Coast.

A fellow country Victorian of the same age, Darcy has long been aware of what Brodie is capable of on the football field. Brodie was drafted at no.9 to the Gold Coast in 2016, the same year Darcy was taken at no.38.

“He’s fit in really well. I played a lot of footy with Will growing up, so I knew what kind of players he was,” Darcy said.

“I was a bit surprised he wasn’t getting a game (early in his AFL career), he came here, he’s playing to his strengths and he’s been great.”

Darcy is pleased with how Brodie has slotted into Fremantle’s midfield setup in the absence of Nat Fyfe.

While Brodie had just seven contested possessions from his 37 disposals against North Melbourne, he has been one of Fremantle’s strongest in the contest over Freo’s eight games this season.

Andrew Brayshaw provided a bit in the contest, with 10 clearances, 12 contested possessions and 10 inside 50s, while Caleb Serong led Freo with 13 contested possessions.

“We have a little bit of a system going, it’s working in really well,” Darcy said.

“Will’s hitting in, Andy’s the player out wide and Caleb’s the defensive zone. The boys are complementing each other really well which is really good.

“And Andy’s a star isn’t he? He’s dominating week in week out, he’s tough, puts his head over the ball and runs defensively both ways.

“He puts a lot of work in behind the scenes that not everyone sees so it’s great to see him getting reward for effort.”

Darcy also praised James Aish, who Longmuir has dubbed Fremantle’s ‘Mr Fix-it’ by filling the gaps left by absent players.

With Blake Acres in the Health and Safety Protocols, Aish had 30 disposals – one off a career high – playing mostly on the wing with stints on the inside, attending four centre bounces.

“Jimma was great, everyone loves him. He’s one of the Club favourites,” Darcy said.

“Anywhere you need him, he plays. I saw him in the centre bounce for the first time and he said ‘how good is this!’ it was great, Jim was huge.”

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