AFL
Forward connection growing: Emmett

Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir said the Club will use the AAMI Community Series match against Port Adelaide next Friday as an opportunity to play a full team as round one draws closer.

Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters, Alex Pearce and Sam Switkowski played only the first two segments of Saturday’s 52-point victory over West Coast in a match simulation at Lathlain Oval, while Caleb Serong, James Aish, Oscar McDonald, Jye Amiss, Hayden Young and Matthew Johnson were rested after the conclusion of the third segment. 

08:06

Justin Longmuir post-match | Match Simulation v Eagles

JL spoke to the media following the successful match simulation against the Eagles

“We will use next week as a proper hit out towards round one,” Longmuir said.

“You would have noticed there were a lot of guys managed today, whether it was halftime or three quarter time.

“Next week we will set them up to get a full game together.”

04:23

All the goals | vs West Coast Eagles

All the goals from the pre-season match up between the Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles

Longmuir was impressed with the key forwards' connection despite limited time playing on the same team during the pre-season.

“To get that mix of talls (Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy) working together is probably the first time we’ve had it over the pre-season as a whole and they will only build from that,” stated the Senior Coach.

Fyfe was a standout performer during his two segments of play, with the 32-year-old gathering multiple disposals and clearances as he worked in conjunction with Serong, Brayshaw, Young and Johnson to dominate the midfield battle. 

“Naturally he makes those walk a bit taller around him when he’s in that mode of winning the ball,” Longmuir said.

 “I thought we saw that at times today, and there were some contests around the ground where he was able to be really clean and feed the outside.

“He’s been really diligent and been able to add layers to his own game because he can’t just be the bash and crash player he used to be.

"We’ve got other guys that can help him in that area, so we’ve got to make sure we spread the load.”

Fremantle will play Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Friday 1 March in their official AAMI Community Series game before taking on the Brisbane Lions in round one on Sunday 17 March at Optus Stadium. 

Forwards fire Freo to win over West Coast
Forward connection growing: Emmett