Fremantle played around 100 minutes of gameplay on Friday, splitting into two evenly matched teams (Purple and Grey) for the first official intraclub game of the 2025 pre-season. 

Under a cloudy sky, Grey’s consistent forward-half pressure, locking the ball inside the forward 50, resulted in three quick majors to open the scoring, thanks to Jaeger O’Meara, Luke Jackson, and James Aish. 

A smooth centre clearance from Neil Erasmus and Andrew Brayshaw saw the ball delivered inside 50 for Purple to draftee Murphy Reid, who converted. 

Jye Amiss opened his account with a set-shot goal straight to extend Grey’s lead.

Jackson was a notable presence around the ground in the first two periods. The ruckman was winning hitouts, impacting marking contests, laying several big tackles when the ball was in dispute, and hitting the scoreboard. 

Young goalsneak Jack Delean snapped one from 35m out to open the scoring for Purple in the second term, but Josh Treacy responded quickly with his second for Grey after a strong contested mark in the goal square. 

Young ruckman Aiden Riddle competed hard, trading blows in the ruck with Liam Reidy. 

A period of control for Purple came about leading into halftime, starting with the familiar faces of Luke Ryan and Jordan Clark initiating attacks from the defensive 50. 

Brayshaw got himself busy, providing consistent pressure in the contest and earning consecutive shots at goal. 

Reidy converted a set shot moments later, while Erasmus added two of his own—a crumbing effort in the goal square and a booming set shot from outside 50.

After a slower start to the game, Purple’s fightback saw them head into the main break with a narrow lead.

When play recommenced in the second half, Karl Worner started a rebound chain from defensive 50, with Treacy working hard up the ground to provide an option, linking with Caleb Serong, which resulted in Nathan O’Driscoll converting to break the chain of Purple goals. 

In a close tussle, both teams experienced periods of momentum and scoreboard impact. 

Michael Frederick, Riddle, and Jackson added to O’Driscoll’s earlier goal, giving the Grey side four in a row. 

Purple then returned serve with four, highlighted by a clean Sam Sturt snap from the pocket and a silky centre clearance from Will Brodie, bursting away from the pack and kicking a nice goal on the run.

Amiss kicked his second for the morning to bring the two sides within a narrow margin at three-quarter time. 

Oscar McDonald was solid defensively for his Grey side, winning multiple one-on-one contests and intercepting the ball in flight.  

With it all to play for, O’Driscoll slotted a nice set shot for his second, but Purple responded with a beautiful transition play through the middle as Clark accelerated to deliver deep inside 50, with Reidy finishing off the play. 

With both teams exchanging blows late, Worner received a 50-metre penalty, topping an impressive day for the young defender with the final goal of the game sealing a narrow Grey win. 

Speaking after the game, Fremantle development coach Tendai Mzungu, who was in charge of the Grey side, said the intraclub had been a good opportunity to implement strategies developed over pre-season. 

“On the whole, it was a good contest, a close game, and we got to practise a few things that we’ve been working on over the summer,” Mzungu said post-match. 

“I really enjoyed it. I was really well supported across the day by some assistants and JL (Justin Longmuir) across the week. So, it was actually a really good opportunity to learn and grow.” 

Also speaking post-match, Jackson said he was feeling prepared for the coming Toyota AFL Premiership season. 

“I feel great. I feel like I’ve kind of worked into the summer a little bit. I’ve worked in nicely, and I feel really good for the season coming up,” Jackson said. 

“I loved playing with Sebba (Caleb Serong) in the middle. We know how great of a player he is, and his leadership out there really helps me.

“I was leaning on him a lot today. 

“It was the first real hit-out with us forwards together, so we were able to connect. The big boys down there in JT (Josh Treacy) and Jye (Amiss), I love playing with them." 

Fremantle will now take on the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday, 15 February, at Optus Stadium, with bouncedown commencing at 4:30 PM WST.