Jesse Hogan was delighted to have ticked off the final hurdle this pre-season after getting through the full game in Fremantle’s JLT Community Series clash with West Coast at Rushton Park on Sunday.
After playing limited minutes in Freo’s intraclub game and in JLT1 against Collingwood, Hogan played 87 per cent of game time against the Eagles – the fifth most for Freo.
“It was massive playing a full game,” Hogan said.
“Last week I just got through a half, so to get the clearance to play the full ground and to come out feeling really good was a massive tick for me and the medical staff.
“We have a match sim on Sunday and I’m sure I’ll be going into round one feeling really confident in my body.”
There was less than a goal in it at half time before Fremantle faded in a 51-point loss.
Hogan said Freo would be working hard on running out games after also starting strongly against Collingwood a week prior.
“It was tough on a hot day with a six-day turnaround and going back-to-back against the two grand finalists,” Hogan said.
“The first half was really good especially, but we faded away in the second half around the contested ball and clearances, which was disappointing.
“There’s a lot to take out of it in review with a few touch ups for round one but hopefully, we’ll be good to go.”
After going goalless against Collingwood, Hogan was pleased to get on the board in the third term on Sunday.
He led Fremantle with score involvements with eight, while picking up 20 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s.
“It’s always nice to get your first goal, unfortunately, I couldn’t get one last weekend,” Hogan said.
“It’s nice to be a bit more involved, I was getting to a few more contests this week rather than last week.
“I didn’t kick a big bag or anything but I feel like I had a bit more of an impact and I’m going into the next couple weeks feeling really confident.
He also expects Fremantle’s forward line to improve markedly with more playing time together.
“I was in rehab for the majority of the pre-season, kind of watching from the outer and coming in off six week's of actual training with the group,” Hogan said
“It takes a lot of time to develop that chemistry that you see with the best forward lines in the competition.”
“We’re starting to see glimpses of us working really well together but I can see it, we just have to give it a bit of time.”
