Fremantle’s midfield is as strong as ever despite the retirement of David Mundy, with 19-year-old midfielders Matthew Johnson and Neil Erasmus ready for a big second year in their AFL careers.

Erasmus had a taste of AFL action in 2022 with five appearances, while Johnson couldn’t break into the team after being sidelined for four months with a foot injury last pre-season.

The pair will have plenty of opportunities to put their hands up during the Club’s match sims.

On Monday, Johnson lined up alongside Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Luke Jackson, while Erasmus teamed up with Sean Darcy, Will Brodie and Jaegar O’Meara/Nathan O’Driscoll.

Johnson appears to have put on size, leading to excitement around a potential debut in 2023.

“He's going really well,” Senior Coach Justin Longmuir told 6PR.

“He's used the off season to come back in better shape to when he left, there's a number of guys that that are in that boat.

“He’s developed his fitness and his body is looking really strong. He and Neil had plenty of time through the through the middle of the ground (on Monday) and both did pretty well in certain parts. He's one that's taking a step forward for sure.”

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Recruited from Hawthorn, O’Meara is expected to boost the midfield’s experience after Mundy’s departure.

“Jaeger will be putting his hand up, and Caleb, Andy and Will were obviously pretty solid contributors for us last year,” Longmuir said.

“Jaeger will spend some time through the middle of the ground. We haven't settled on a split or whether he will spend any time forward. We've lost Dave and he seems a pretty likely replacement, but we also want to provide opportunities to others.

“There's good competition for spots and we feel like that all over the ground. It makes players eager every day to put their best foot forward. We've seen a lot of that at training.”

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