Fremantle will be hoping to take the momentum of two consecutive victories against Port Adelaide and St Kilda into Saturday night’s important clash with Sydney at Optus Stadium.
Football writers Damian Barrett and Josh Gabelich spoke extensively on Thursday’s AFL Daily podcast on Freo’s turnaround in form in 2022.
Barrett credited the influence of Senior Coach Justin Longmuir throughout the playing group.
“There’s a vibrancy to this place at the moment and a re-writing of the Club’s history is happening this year under a very assured man in the head coaching position,” Barrett said.
“(Longmuir has) an ability to filter that mindset down to the entire group.”
Gabelich credited Fremantle’s form on the road so far this season, with five wins out of a possible seven outside of WA.
Fremantle have three remaining away games to close out the home and away season, with two games scheduled at Marvel against Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, before a trip to Canberra to take on GWS in the final round.
“It feels like they are gathering momentum, and their form on the road is probably what’s been most impressive,” Gabelich said.
“They are 5-2 from outside WA and they are one win from one game at the MCG which is going to be really important come September.”
The pair also shared praise on three key defensive players for their impressive seasons to date.
Alex Pearce
“I just love the way Alex Pearce carries himself out on the footy field,” Barrett said.
“There is this sense of calmness and authority and I’m rapt he has been able to get some continuity into his game.
“He is as crucial a part of whatever it is they are doing at Freo, and that backline is holding up effectively every single week.”
Jordan Clark
“He is really building, especially in the last month or so, and is part of this backline that gets undersold,” Gabelich said.
“He was a first-round pick for a reason, and we are seeing that now, he is such a classy user and has become really reliable.”
James Aish
“The role he plays, he is no fuss, and he gives them a dimension in that run-with type of role,” Barrett said.
“You wouldn’t want to take your eyes off him as an opposition side because he is still very creative.
“The beauty of his situation this year is that he is so down the rung when it comes to the opposition scrutiny and preparation for a game against Freo, that he can get away from opposition teams.”
