Sam Switkowski is confident Fremantle will be better for the run despite taking a significant step back in ladder position in 2023.

Freo’s 37-point win against Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG brought the Club to a 10-13 record and a 14^thplace finish a year after securing 15.5 wins to place fifth in 2022.

On average Fremantle were the second-youngest team in 2023 after turning over the 25 cent of their list, exposing a host of young players at the top level including forward Tom Emmett, who starred against the Hawks in just his second AFL game.

The 21-year-old had 17 disposals, two goals, two goal assists, 10 score involvements and five marks.

According to Champion Data, he was the sixth best Fremantle player on the ground as Freo’s youth dominated in the win.

“I understand the (fans’) frustrations and we’re frustrated we’ve finished around 14^th on the ladder this year,” Switkowski said.

“We lost a lot of mature players this year and there are so many young players coming through that are improving at a pretty rapid pace.

“We’re seeing that every week with new guys coming in, Tommy Emmett is a great example the last two weeks.

“Matthew Johnson and Neil Erasmus have been able to play a lot of football.

“Hayden Young has gone into the midfield. Luke Jackson’s spent some time in the midfield and we’ve seen them grow at a rapid pace.

“The past five or six weeks has showed us the football we want to play and how it stacks up against the best teams.

“We’re incredibly optimistic next year, that we can attack the start of the season in the right way and hopefully get off to a better start and get back into the finals.”

Switkowski said Emmett brings an extra dimension to Fremantle’s forwardline.

“The goal he kicked check side on his right foot on his wrong side while getting tackled was pretty impressive,” Switkowski said.

“We all love playing with him, he brings something different to the team.

“He’s a workhorse, he’s got a big body and he’s not afraid to hit the contest and speed and take it on.

“I love his courage and I expect to see him playing a lot next year and beyond.”

Drafted at no.41 in the 2022 AFL Draft, Switkowski credited Emmett for his work behind the scenes throughout his first year on an AFL list.

“I’ve done a lot of work with him throughout the year and he had to be really patient waiting for his opportunity. Thankfully it came late and he was able to show what he can do at the top level,” Switkowski said.

“A lot of the first half of the year was him learning our system and learning his role, which took a bit of time.

“He did a lot of work with Adam Read, our forwards development coach but credit to him, he’s proactive, his effort is always 100 per cent and we’ve seen that in the last two game.”

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