Fremantle have confirmed Karl Worner will spend at least the next two years at the Club as the emerging midfielder / defender celebrates his 21st birthday with a contract extension.
 
A rookie draftee in 2021, Worner said having the security of being a Fremantle Docker until the 2025 season was his ‘favourite birthday present’.
 
The former Oakleigh Charger said he’s benefitted from his first full pre-season after being drafted out of Victoria 18 months ago.
 
Covid restrictions at the time prevented Worner from arriving at Fremantle until February, meaning he spent the majority of the 2022 pre-season training either by himself or with Richmond’s VFL team.
 
“Signing an extension to 2025, it’s a really great feeling as the Club has the faith in me to give me two extra years and that security,” Worner said.
 
“When I first came to the Club I missed the first three months of pre-season, but I think a lot of positive things have happened since then and I’ve been trending in the right direction, which is a big thing for me.
 
“I’m really pleased with the way I’m developing and getting that extra two years, it helps a lot.”
 
Justin Longmuir has said Worner is getting close to an AFL debut, but Worner knows it won’t be easy to force his way into the Fremantle backline.
 
“I was drafted as a wing but I’ve been doing a lot of training in the backline to create more versatility in my game so I can be used in different positions going forward,” Worner said.
 
“I love the backline group, I’ve got such great coaches in Boydy (Matthew Boyd) and Tendai (Mzungu). They’re both really invested in my work and developing my game.
 
“It’s a pretty good backline to learn from, if not the best in the comp.
 
“I try and take as much away as I can, especially the high half backs in Chappy (Heath Chapman), Clarky (Jordan Clark), Youngy (Hayden Young), Don (Brandon Walker), they’ve all been going really well and I love learning off them.”

Worner will continue his work at Peel this Saturday as the Thunder take on Perth at Rushton Park.
 
He’s averaging 26 disposals and just under six marks from his eight games.
 
“I’ve been quite pleased with my season, on the back of a lot of work that I’ve done in the pre-season with the coaches and also my teammates as well,” Worner said.
 
“We’ve got such a great culture here that we get the best out of each other.
 
“Peel have been quite successful to start the year, unfortunately we’ve had some close losses the past two weeks.
 
“I’ve been trying to do what the team needs, providing that run off half back and it’s been good, I’ve been very pleased.”

Head of Player Personnel David Walls credited Worner’s hard work to improve his game.
 
“He hasn’t quite got the debut as yet, but we’ve got real faith in Karl and he’s developing nicely,” Walls said
 
“We see him as a long-term player at the Club and we wanted to give him some security so he can take the pressure off. It allows him to keep developing.
 
“He was drafted in a Covid year and was late getting over to WA and he was fully fit by the time he got to the Club.
 
“He’s been an absolute pro and that’s why we’ve given him another two years, even before he’s made his debut, as we know he’ll keep working and keep improving because he’s got that hunger.”

Valentine's day made with contract extension
Clark's honest assessment