Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow believes there is fierce competition for spots in the 2015 line-up and the ball magnet doesn’t think his name is pencilled in the round one team just yet.
Barlow was one of 29 players named for Freo’s opening NAB Challenge fixture against Melbourne on Thursday 5 March at Fremantle Oval.
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The 27-year-old star didn’t hold back from highlighting how competitive this year’s pre-season has been.
“This time of year your eyes get opened up, you really look at the list and look at the people around you competing for spots in the 22 come round one,” Barlow said.
“The competition for spots is really healthy here and across the competition, but within the walls of the Fremantle Footy Club, we’re really excited by the competition for those spots.
“We’ve got the three competitive NAB Challenge matches for everyone to stake their claims and give themselves the best opportunity to represent the club (in round one) against Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday.”
Barlow himself said he didn’t feel comfortable with saying his spot is safe for Freo’s home and away season opener against Port.
“No, well I definitely don’t (think I’m safe),” he said.
“At this time of year it’s as tense and as anxious as you’ll get all season because we’ve had a really good summer.
“We’ve seen some real emergence from some younger players as well as players that have been around for a while and really taken their game to another level.
“From top down I know Matthew Pavlich talks about how he never feels comfortable with his spot in the side so he always wants to get better and improve.
“We’ve got 30-35 players with potential to represent us on Easter Sunday.”
Bounce down against Melbourne is 4.10pm.
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