Vice captain Caleb Serong was left frustrated with Fremantle’s poor execution in a 16-point loss to Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday, but the 22-year-old believes he’s seen enough reasons to have hope for 2024.
 
The midfielder highlighted Freo’s inaccuracy in front of goal, where he was a culprit when he hit the post from 30 metres in the final term, as well as their execution when going forward as the difference for Freo in the loss.
 
“We played the game a lot of the time the way we wanted to,” Serong said.
 
“We were really strong in the contest, strong with our pressure but our execution in front of goal was quite disappointing.

“We feel like it was similar to the Brisbane game, where we had a lot of opportunities . On another day, we could have got the four points.
 
“They’re a great side and they executed when it mattered and took their opportunities and we didn’t, which was the turning point in the game.”

Serong was one of three in Fremantle’s engine room from the 2019 draft class alongside Luke Jackson and Hayden Young, as they were joined by Andrew Brayshaw for the bulk of the centre bounces.

He had a career-high 12 clearances in the clash and extended his run of having 20+ disposals in a game to 50 - the longest current streak in the AFL.
 
“I think it (the career-best clearance numbers) were a result of Dogga’s work in the ruck,” Serong said.
 
“He was really good, especially around the ground. He was able to get his hand to it and put it where we wanted.
 
“It’s only going to get better as well. He’s a young guy, we’re all young in there, it’s just going to get better the more we play together and the more we train together.
 
“What we’re doing now compared to what we were doing at the start of the year as the midfield group, it feels like we’ve grown a lot and it’s only going to continue.
 
“It would be great to see those results happen now, but it’s really exciting what we can be, not only next year, but in the future.”

Serong said attention will turn quickly to Freo’s final game of the season against Hawthorn, where they hope to build momentum for the 2024 season.
 
He also has another reason to be invested in the game with his younger brother Jai a chance to play after being named as the sub in the Hawks loss to Melbourne today.
 
“I hope he (Jai) gets a gig next week, it would be nice to play against him, it will be a great experience for both of us and also the family as well,” Serong said.
 
“From a team point of view, it’s another opportunity to embed our brand and keep improving.
 
“We’re under no illusions that it’s not just this year we’re playing for, we’re playing for next year and the year after.
 
“The momentum we can take out of the back half of this year is going to be taken into pre-season and 2024.”

Power down Freo in high pressure battle