Even though he was a Port Adelaide fan growing up, a young Michael Frederick had Michael Walters as one of his favourite players, admitting to having to pinch himself when getting to play alongside the Freo star.
Since Frederick arrived at Fremantle with pick no.61 in 2019, he has formed a special bond with the fellow forward as they push each other to get the best out of themselves.
“He’s been pretty big for me,” Frederick said about Walters in the latest episode of Old Bull, Young Buck.
“Watching footy as a youngster, he was someone I looked up to. It’s a pinch yourself moment when you run out with him and get to hang out with him when we go away.
“He’s played a massive role in developing me as a forward, as a young man and a footballer.
“A lot of the things that I’ve learnt off him has probably shown this year.
“I’m learning different forward craft off him as well as Jaymie Graham, our forwards coach.”
Frederick now has 33 games to his name and already looks accustomed to the big stage after playing an impressive team role in Freo’s 13-point elimination final win against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.
One of the biggest moments of a blockbuster week one of finals came when Frederick forced a turnover that led to Walters’ third goal of the night.
“I was pretty pumped, clearly, after Sonny kicked his goal after the chase down,” Frederick said.
“It’s awesome when the crowd get up and about when we’re coming like that. It was an awesome moment to experience and kind of surreal at the same time.”
As well as sharing the highs on the football field, the pair had to go through one of the absolute lows off the field after being subject to racist abuse online following a win earlier in the season.
Frederick said he was appreciative to have Walters as someone he could talk to throughout the ordeal.
“It’s never a nice feeling reading messages like that or experiencing that kind of thing,” Frederick said.
“Sonny being there and talking through it with him straight after the game and since then, he’s been pretty special. It’s been great to have someone like him to talk through those things.
“It’s something that’s not too great to experience.”
While Frederick feels he’s benefitted from Walters’ influence, Freo veteran David Mundy feels he’s seen a new side of Walters since he’s embraced the role as a leader of a young forward line group.
“I think you’ve rubbed off on him as well, his forward pressure has gone through the roof!” Mundy said.
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