Fremantle have locked Sam Switkowski in for the long term, with the forward signing a contract extension through to the 2026 season.
The extension is on top of the deal Switkowski signed last year until 2024, adding an extra two years onto his current contract.
Switkowski was selected at the back of the 2017 draft at no.73 and has endured multiple injury-interrupted seasons to play 56 games to date.
This includes 11 games so far in 2023, with the 26-year-old putting significant work into his strength and fitness to get continuity at AFL level.
Switkowski’s desire to bring success to Fremantle has been clear both on and off the field, and he was elevated into the leadership group in 2023.
“There is no other Club I’d rather be at,” Switkowski said.
“I think we’re in a really good space moving forward. Our list is young and getting better rapidly.
“It’s a really exciting time to be at the Club and I see us doing some good things over the next few years, I definitely don’t want to miss out.
“Everyone is really buying into our trademark and there’s been some fantastic people brought in. We have great support from our fans, sponsors and everyone.
“It’s a really good place to be. We just have to keep working to get that on field success to come.”
Switkowski is confident he can continue to play regular football after battling hamstring and back injuries in his time in the AFL.
“It’s always been the challenge for me, so I put a lot of work in over the summer and I’m trying to make my body the best it can be,” Switkowski said.
“The Club has been fantastic with their resources as well. I’m working with dieticians and psychs, physios, pilates instructors. All that sort of stuff has been massive.
“I’m continually finding what works for me, I feel like I’m in a good routine and space with my prep at the moment. Hopefully that continues.”
Switkowski has kicked nine goals so far this season, however he is better known for his selflessness and his intangible ability to bring his teammates into the game. He has also racked up 10 contested possessions or more three times in his past four appearances.
Head of Player Personnel David Walls said Switkowski was one of Fremantle’s best contested players.
“He is probably as good of a one-on-one player that you’ll see,” Walls said.
“He’s very rarely beaten in a one-on-one situation. That’s always been his greatest strength.
“He’s very unselfish too. That’s what we love about Switta, and it’s why we wanted to extend him out, as he’s as invested as anyone in the success at Fremantle.
“We love that, and you can see he’s so unselfish with the way he plays. He’s always bringing others in.
“He’s integral for what we want to do and that’s why we wanted to make sure he’s staying around.”
Injury update: Round 14
'Growing' midfield backed to cover another change
Serong not limited
