Fremantle fans will soon love Tom Emmett in the same way he has been embraced by his teammates, according to vice captain Caleb Serong.
The 21-year-old kicked two goals in his AFL debut against Port Adelaide on Sunday at Optus Stadium as he gave a glimpse of what he can provide in the Freo forwardline.
He also had 13 disposals, six contested possessions, three tackles and 10 pressure acts in an impressive first outing.
Emmett was drafted at no.41 in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft and Serong said he had already become one of Fremantle’s toughest players.
It only took a quarter for Emmett to emulate a look familiar Serong with strapping around his head after sustaining a cut in a contest.
“He's fantastic. All the boys love him, he brings the energy,” Serong said.
“He’s someone you avoid in the warmup as he’ll run through you and you might get a blood nose.
“His attack on the footy and the pressure he brings is phenomenal. We knew what we would get from him and he brought it tonight.”
Serong said Emmett’s journey to the AFL, where he battled and beat cancer between the ages of 16 and 17, had inspired everyone at the Club.
“I think he’s going to be a fan favourite,” Serong said.
“What he’s been through and his journey to get here is one that not many have gone through, and he’s had to fight at every bend to get here.
“You see the passion that he played with tonight and the boys love him, he’s a great guy around the group, he just works his tail off. He’s a really nice guy but when he gets across the line he’s an absolute beast.
“I think he’s going to have a great career with the Freo Dockers, that’s for sure.”
Senior Coach Justin Longmuir gave Emmett similar praise, saying he was also impressed with his accuracy in front of goal.
“I think he already had the bandage around his head at maybe quarter time and that sums him up,” Longmuir said.
“That’s why his teammates love playing with him because he puts it all on the line. Not only every game but every contest.
“I thought he definitely showed he’s up to the level.
“He finished his work off from his opportunities and I think we got a taste of his application to the contest and his pressure.
“Like I said in the lead up, he’s been in really good form for a while and he’s just been waiting for an opportunity. So one came up for him today and he took it, so good on him.”
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