Fremantle forward Michael Walters is excited to get to work with a new-look Fremantle lineup when he returns for pre-season training in November.
Walters is likely to form a part of a revamped forward line in 2019 after Fremantle brought in exciting key forwards Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb during the 2019 NAB AFL Trade Period.
Fremantle also signed midfielders Reece Conca and Travis Colyer, who are likely to slot into their best 22.
“Lachie Neale is a big loss but it’s exciting to have Reece, Travis, Jesse and Rory to come in show us what they’ve got,” Walters said.
“They’re WA boys and it’s always good to bring them home.
“They’re going to change the team and, hopefully, they can learn our game style as soon as possible and help us get to where we want to be.”
Walters expects the addition of Hogan and Lobb to bring out the best in all of Fremantle’s forwards.
“For me, they’ll be someone to crumb off,” Walters said.
“We can’t expect ‘Tabs’ (Matthew Taberner) to do everything. He’s a quality player but he’s going to be even better with those guys around him.
“It frees up Cam McCarthy and ‘Ballas’ (Hayden Ballantyne) and myself as well. We can crumb off those guys and, hopefully, it will be a strong forward line.”
Fremantle’s midfield is also set for change, with Walters putting his hand up to fill the vacant midfielder role left by Lachie Neale.
He also expects to see Fremantle’s young midfield prospects – including top-five draft picks Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra – to take that next step up.
“We do have a young group (of midfielders), so it’s exciting for them,” Walters said.
“I’ve played a bit of midfield in the past couple years as a swingman, swapping with Nat Fyfe or David Mundy,” Walters said.
“Hopefully, this gives me more time in the midfield but I’m also happy to sit up forward and crumb off those big boys.”
