Jordan Clark was full of praise for returning speedster Brandon Walker as the defender builds back for a return in 2024 after injuring his knee in round 18 against Collingwood last season.
Speaking to the media on Thursday morning, Clark said the 21-year-old defender has been making great progress this pre-season.
“He (Walker) obviously had a very serious injury. I dare say they will look after him a fair bit, coming back from such a significant injury, but he seems to be flying,” Clark explained.
“He’s back into footy the last couple of weeks and I’m sure the natural progression will mean he’d be back in match play pretty soon.”
Clark spent the end of the year filling in for Walker’s role as a lock down defender.
“I think the first thing I said to him at the end of the year was get yourself right because you can have it back (his lockdown role),” Clark joked.
“It’s a tough role to play and I have a lot of respect for blokes who play it.
“It sort of opened my eye up a bit, obviously you're happy playing the role for the team but those blokes certainly don’t get enough credit, and he’s very, very good at it, and he is better than me at it so he can have it back.”
Additionally, Clark spoke on his excitement going into 2024 with competition for spots ramping up.
Clark highlighted Hayden Young's move out of defence at the end of 2023 as a catalyst for selection choices for senior coach Justin Longmuir.
The young defender admitted he was glad the final decision wouldn't fall on his shoulders.
“There is a lot of competition for spots all over the ground, and it’s exciting to see,” Clark said.
“It’s a situation you want to be in, and its set up some healthy competition at training which has been awesome.
“Youngy’s gone up to the midfield, and James Aish has slotted in down back, but we are still a while away from round one and what the best 22 is going to look like.
“I’m just glad I don’t have to pick that team!"
Clark highlighted his first season with Fremantle in 2022 when the Club finished fifth on the ladder, making a semi-final, and how the teams defence was a key element to their success.
“It was only a couple of years ago that we were a very good backline, and that’s something we pride ourselves on and want to get back to,” the 23-year-old said.
“It’s probably been more around the boys opening up and saying this is where we want to get to and let’s help each other all get there.”
The young defender emphasised the value James Aish’s 163 games of experience will add to the backline.
“His (James Aish) experience is a massive thing in this group, just the way he is, his calmness, his ability to solve problems and just have that cool head,” said Clark.
“He’s a bit of a granddad in the group now, he’s one of the real older boys and we love having him down there. He’s a massive asset for us back there.”
