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- How Sonny and Hilly quickly won over their new coach
Pre-season is still more than a month away, but new senior coach Justin Longmuir and defender Alex Pearce have wasted no time in getting to know each other.
Pearce is currently working hard at the club as a part of his rehabilitation program from an injured ankle as he looks to get ready for a big 2020 season.
On Tuesday, the leadership group member took time away from the gym to meet with Longmuir for half an hour over coffee on the balcony overlooking Victor George Kailis Oval.
Pearce said it was important to give his new coach a players’ perspective on life at Fremantle.
“(The discussion) was a bit of getting to know each other and finding out what each other are about,” Pearce said.
“We discussed what I want to achieve and what are his values and what he wants to achieve.
“Obviously, he wants to know about the group and learn as much as he can about everyone and about the way we go about things.”
Pearce said that Longmuir has a clear desire to bring success to the club.
“The overarching thing was that Justin is a Freo man and he’s passionate,” Pearce said.
“I think myself and all the playing group (are really) driven to be successful and I think Justin is absolutely wired the same.
“It’s exciting to be able to build a new relationship and try and get the best out of myself and the best out of the team. I’m sure it won’t be the only chat we have over the next few months.”
Pearce said he expects his teammates to embrace their new coach.
“We were a little but disappointed and we didn’t know how to respond (after Ross Lyon’s departure),” Pearce said.
“Within a week or two, you just have to move on and to have Justin come on board, it’s exciting to have a new way of doing things, to have a fresh set of eyes and a fresh opinion to help the whole club. I think everyone feels the same.
“I think we all feel like we were a pretty good team and at our best we can be great.”
Pearce expects to see a new energy around the club in the pre-season.
“It’s definitely different, I’ve never been in this situation before but I think when everyone is back together in a couple of months, there will be a new positive energy and I’m looking forward to what comes from it,” Pearce said.
“I feel excited about what we can achieve with someone new and personally, I hope that I can become a better player under Justin and he can teach me a few new things as well.”