Heath Chapman said the debuts of Cooper Simpson and Pat Voss gave 'a big lift' to the team with their energy and composure against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
“It was awesome to be back out there with the boys who put up a pretty good performance out there to get the good win,” Chapman said following the Club’s 24-point win over the Bulldogs.
“Having Vossy (Pat Voss) and Coops (Cooper Simpson) debut for the Club was awesome. It gave us a big lift.”
Voss was set to join VFL side Port Melbourne after not being offered a new contract by Essendon at the end of last year, before the young key forward headed west to trial with Fremantle, eventually earning himself a spot on the list during the Supplemental Selection Period pick.
Voss kicked 30.26 from 17 appearances for Essendon in the VFL, winning the 2023 VFL best and fairest for the club, but never made his senior debut.
Since joining Fremantle, the 20-year-old instantly found his feet with multiple goals in pre-season practice matches demonstrating his physicality and intensity for the contest.
Voss kicked his debut goal in the second quarter, bringing the 45,000 Purple Army fans to their feet.
“The boys absolutely love playing with him,” Chapman said.
“He’s a great teammate and really lifts the boys.”
Simpson was taken with Fremantle's first selection at pick 35 in the 2023 National Draft, with his round seven debut marking the return og Fremantle's most iconic jumper number - No.29.
The 19-year-old was handed No.29, famously worn by the Club’s leading goal-kicker and longest-serving Captain Matthew Pavlich, with Simpson entering the game early in the second quarter following the substitution of Joshua Draper – marking the first time since 2016 that the famous number 29 has entered the ground since Pavlich.
Despite only six touches, Simpson looked composed and level-headed with his agility and burst from stoppage, highlighted by his run along the wing before lowering his eyes to find Bailey Banfield late in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
“You can see he’s a really composed player and makes good decisions,” Chapman said.
“He will be exciting to watch as he develops.”
Fremantle now sit eighth on the AFL ladder, snapping a three-game losing streak before a Sunday clash with Richmond at the MCG next week.
