Fremantle can expect at least a few new debutants in 2018, according to captain Nat Fyfe.
The 2015 Brownlow Medallist has spent one-on-one time with a number of Freo's 2017 draftees, including no.2 pick and new housemate Andrew Brayshaw and no.5 pick Adam Cerra, who made the trip south with Fyfe to Pinjarra for today’s AFL Community Camp at Pinjarra Primary and Pinjarra Senior High schools.
Fyfe, who made his debut in round five of the 2010 season after being drafted with pick no.20 in 2009, expects to see the likes of Brayshaw and Cerra also make their debut in their first year at the club.
“With Andrew and Adam being picks two and five, they’re highly credentialed individuals coming in,” Fyfe said.
“The exciting part is that they’re both really willing to learn and we want to fast-track their development so they can be playing in the Fremantle strip in 2018.
“As an older player, that’s going to bring youth and exuberance to us.
“They’ve been picking my brain and picking other players’ brains such as (David) Mundy, (Aaron) Sandilands, (Michael) Walters, just figuring out how they can get the most out of us.”
Fyfe complimented Cerra, who handled the daunting task of controlling a room filled with 300 excited school kids with the same composure the 18-year-old showed on the field in his draft year.
“Adam left year 12 three weeks ago and now he’s talking to two or three hundred school kids out in Pinjarra,” Fyfe said.
“It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks and the next two or three weeks are going to be just as intense for him.
“He’s handling it like a pro.”
A product of Lake Grace, Fyfe spoke to the Pinjarra students about growing up in a country town with dreams of one day playing in the AFL.
“I particularly like coming out to regional communities because it reminds me of home,” Fyfe said.
“These kids, one day they’ll hopefully be joining Adam and I in the AFL. It’s nice to be able to engage with the community and give back.”
