Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick has faith the Club will do everything they can to turn around their poor start to the season, starting with this Sunday’s RAC Derby at Optus Stadium.
Garlick said he understood the disappointment of the Purple Army after last year’s semi-finalists dropped the opening two games of the season against St Kilda and North Melbourne.
“Undoubtedly it’s been a disappointing start given the progression we’ve made over the past three years,” Garlick told SEN WA.
“Our members and fans would have had hoped we would start the season in a more positive fashion but it hasn’t been the case.
“We’re as disappointed and frustrated as anyone, as you can imagine. We’re looking to get to work to do all that we can and all that’s within our power to ensure we turn around our form as quickly as this week.”
Garlick said Fremantle had to balance the ‘fine line’ when prioritising development at the selection table, with the likes of Matthew Johnson and Neil Erasmus waiting in the wings.
“We are really strong on ensuring we don’t put a limit on what 2023 can be for us, we want to do everything we possibly can to finish as high as we can and have as big of an impact that we possibly can this season,” Garlick said.
“We haven’t had the start, clearly, we would have liked, so we need to get to work.
“By the same token, we’re the fourth youngest list in the competition with a young profile. The journey to our ultimate destination was never going to be an easy one and the reality is, it’s highly unlikely to be a linear one.
“The last few years have tracked in a really pleasing fashion, that trajectory has been something that has gone gently upwards, but this is a pretty uncompromising and unforgiving competition and people come after you.
“We haven’t had the start we want so we’re really looking forward to how we respond after a tough couple of weeks.”
Garlick backed Nat Fyfe to return to his pre-season form when he returns from injury, and said the door was always open for the two-time Brownlow Medallist to return to the midfield.
“I think much has been made of Nathan being consigned to the forward line. He has a significant input into where he plays footy and what he does,” Garlick said.
“His standing in the game is unmistakably significant, he’s such an impactful person, not only on the field but off the field for our club.
“It’s really frustrating for him, more than anyone, that he hasn’t been able to have a good run at it after a fantastic pre-season and had a couple of encouraging pre-season games, in particular at Fremantle Oval against Port Adelaide.
“Nathan’s got flexibility for us, he’s seen a real potential for him to be a dominant player in our forward half for a significant part of this year but he’s still clearly got capabilities to move up and down the ground a little bit for us when he returns.”
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