Midfielder Will Brodie arrived at Fremantle late last year with no certainty around his place in the best 22.
If his value at the trade table had anything to go by, he was well down the pecking order in Freo’s deep midfield, but an impressive pre-season and injuries to other mids gave the 24-year-old an opportunity he grasped with both hands.
In five years on the Gold Coast, Brodie played a maximum eight games in a season but in 2022 he was one of four players to play all 22 games in the home and away season.
And he joined Andrew Brayshaw and Brennan Cox as the Fremantle player nominees for the Most Valuable Player.
“It was a little bit humbling to be nominated,” Brodie said.
“It was definitely nice to hear. I had a consistent year and it’s good that the teammates have recognised that.”
Brodie was all praise for Brayshaw, who was the eventual winner of the MVP.
While Brayshaw was one of the league’s disposal leaders, he also set a Fremantle record for tackles in 2022 to illustrate his efforts both in attack and defence.
“It’s extremely difficult (to do both roles), that’s why he’s so respected,” Brodie said.
“His mentality and work rate, to not only get the ball and help the team on defence, is impressive.
“That’s something that we love and really value inside the four walls and it’s great that outside of that, they’re seeing it as well.”
Brodie said the Fremantle players took in the upbeat atmosphere at Saturday’s open training, where hundreds of Fremantle fans came down to Victor George Kailis Oval to wish the players well ahead of their elimination final against the Western Bulldogs next Saturday at Optus Stadium.
“It was great, they’re up and about. It was a good atmosphere,” Brodie said.
“Last week we had a bit of time to relax and really build and put our minds towards what to expect.
“We’re starting to slowly put our eyes on the Bulldogs to get ready for it. We’re all excited and building towards it.
“I’m a little bit nervy but will treat it like a normal week and a normal game. We’ll put our best foot forward and I’m looking forward to it.”
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