AFL
Defenders share top coaches' votes

Will Brodie is locked in as a part of Fremantle’s midfield future, signing a three-year extension until at least the end of the 2026 season.

The prolific ball winner has taken his game to another level since he was traded to Fremantle from the Gold Coast during the 2021 AFL Trade Period.

He played every one of Fremantle’s 24 games in 2022, one shy of doubling his 25 games from five years at Gold Coast, and played his 50th game on Sunday against St Kilda.

Brodie has the opportunity to grow alongside Fremantle’s other young midfielders. The 24-year-old and the likes of Andrew Brayshaw (23), Caleb Serong (22), Matthew Johnson (20) and Neil Erasmus (19) form a talented core in the engine room, working with Sean Darcy (24) and Luke Jackson (21) in the ruck.

The country Victorian said he was excited to have his future secured in with Fremantle.

“I’m really happy to be locked in and to get settled in WA,” Brodie said.

“I’m grateful that Freo believed in me and backed me in, and I look forward to returning that faith in the best way I can.”

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Will Brodie handballs | Rd 8 v North Melbourne

Will Brodie has a cannon for an arm, check out how good his handball game was on the weekend

Despite starting the 2023 season with a loss to St Kilda, Brodie is confident the team can bounce back quickly with an improved performance from the midfield.

“As a midfield unit, we were disappointed,” Brodie said.

“We feel like we’ve made some really big gains over the off-season and pre-season, and we know we can produce a lot better than that.

“We’ll address it, review it and get better from here.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Will Brodie of the Dockers and Jack Steele of the Saints in action during the 2023 AFL Round 01 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium on March 19, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Head of Player Personnel David Walls says the 88kg midfielder brings strength and size to Fremantle’s midfield group.

He added that Brodie, the no.9 pick from the 2016 AFL Draft, will improve further as he builds on his AFL experience.

“Will’s 24 and only just played his 50th game, we see him being an integral part of the midfield for a long time,” Walls said.

“It’s exciting that he’s got a lot of improvement left in him as he’s still relatively inexperienced in terms of games played.

“With his size, he adds a point of different in there for us. He’s made huge inroads since he’s arrived and there’s still improvement in his game to be made.

“He’s working hard and he’s got a good coaching group around him – putting all that together, we’ll see continued improvement from him for a number of years.”

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