Fremantle Dockers small forward Michael Walters says he’s enjoying his extended midfield role, on the heels of a career-best game against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday.
 
Walters finished the game with a personal best 29 disposals while remaining his influential self on the scoreboard, kicking three goals.
 
The electric left footer said that while he was surprised by his final possession count, he attributed his performance with an increased level of comfort with his role.
 
“To end up with the amount of touches I did, I wasn’t expecting it but I’m starting to feel quite comfortable in there (midfield),” Walters said.

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“We need players to go through multiple positions so for me to go through the midfield, it’s another asset I can add to my game.”
 
Despite the result, Walters said he was pleased with the tenacity that Freo displayed against one of the form teams of the competition in Adeleiade.
 
“The first half we hung in there and tried our best to stick with them,” he said.
 
“In the second half we let it slip away but I can’t fault the boys’ effort and we played hard from the start and carried it through to the end.”
 
 The effort displayed by Freo during the game can be attributed to a philosophy of constant pressure, that not only applies to senior players but also the youngsters coming through the ranks.
 
Walters said the initiative and drive from Freo’s younger players to tackle and give constant pressuring effort will make the team better.

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“Ballas (Ballantyne) alluded to it during the week, that we really enjoy the younger players coming through and putting the pressure on,” he said.
 
“Guys like Brady Grey, Lachie Weller, Hayden Crozier, if they continue to keep the pressure going then I’m sure they’ll hold their spot and it only makes us a better team in the future.”
 
While the ability to give effort is a mantra that Freo holds closely for the future development of the club, Walters said it’s also used as a week-by-week mentality, and once again be crucial as Freo look forward to GWS next week.
 
“We need the pressure leading into any game,” he said.
 
“If the pressure isn’t there, the other team is going to be able to score easily.
 
“Our main focus is to keep the pressure up and all things flow on from there.”