It has been an eye-opening debut season for Griffin Logue, and living with Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe has given the young Docker rare insight into what it takes to make it in the AFL.
Logue has managed nine senior appearances so far after shooting up the draft board last year and being taken with pick No.8 overall.
On debut in round three, Logue found himself lining up on veteran forward Travis Cloke, while in round 15 he was tricked by childhood hero Nick Riewoldt and coughed up a certain goal in a narrow loss to St Kilda.
That 50m penalty he gave away for throwing the ball to Riewoldt and not Tim Membrey earned him a firm reminder from coach Ross Lyon about becoming a professional at the elite level.
But it has all been part of the learning experience for the raw 19-year-old Swan Districts product, who is trying to fast-track his development by emulating Fyfe.
"His preparation is second-to-none and this whole concept of coming from a kid to becoming a pro like he is is what I really want to tap into," Logue said.
"I try and act like a sponge off him just to get as much information as I can.
"I thought if I didn't get kicked out (of his house) I'd give it a crack and try to stay there and learn off the best."
Reflecting on the Riewoldt incident, Logue admitted he got caught up in the moment.
"I supported the Saints when I was a lot younger … (Riewoldt) was definitely a footballer I looked up to," he said.
"(Lyon said) I've got to learn and make sure you stay switched on the whole time."
Two Freo players from Logue's draft class – Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan - learned a hard lesson last week afterbeing omitted from the senior side for not meeting required standards.
Logue said there were no grey areas when it came to team standards.
"As a playing group we all have our set of playing standards, and the standards we walk by are the standards we accept," he said.
"Everyone's on the same page with that."
Logue enjoyed his best game yet against Hawthorn last Saturday night, picking up 15 touches and taking eight marks across half-back after being thrown into an unfamiliar forward role at times this season.
"I'm happy to do my role for the team, but down back I'm a lot more comfortable," he said.
Fremantle have lost seven of their last eight games and travel to face an under-pressure Greater Western Sydney this Saturday.
Finals are off the radar for Fremantle but the rebuilding club has plenty to gain in the last five rounds.
"Each game you can take a step forward or take a step backwards," Logue said.
"Whether that's a win or loss it's just a matter of trying to learn and grow as a team."
