Fremantle held their second intraclub match of the 2020 pre-season on Friday at Victor George Kailis Oval, with all fit and available players being divided into two teams for a clash between Purple and White.

The teams stayed reasonably unchanged throughout the game, with only a handful of players moving between the teams at the breaks.

The match was played over four 20-minute quarters, with time added for stoppages as well as small breaks halfway through each quarter for players to gather in their lines.

First quarter
Playing for the Purple team, Caleb Serong had the perfect start, wrapping up Nat Fyfe from the first bounce to earn a free kick for holding the ball. The two matched up on each other for most of the first half, with the no.8 draft pick competing fiercely against the two-time Brownlow medallist.

Even without Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling, Freo’s backline looked strong for the White team. Taylin Duman and Brennan Cox worked well across half back, while Griffin Logue played a lockdown role on Hugh Dixon. The two battled well together for most of the game with a lot of contested ball coming their way.

Playing one half for both teams through the midfield, Blake Acres was a standout on the day collecting plenty of the ball and was included in numerous transitions down the ground. He had strong support from fellow recruit James Aish, who played an offensive role on the wing. Stephen Hill also looked good for the White team, moving the ball well down the ground from half-back.

Bailey Banfield was active up forward for the White team in the first quarter, getting into some good spots around the top of the 50. The dominance of Acres in the middle-allowed Fyfe to push forward, with the skipper creating plenty of opportunities across the half forward line using his strength at the stoppages.

Second quarter
Fyfe, Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw started in the White team’s midfield against Connor Blakely, Tom North and Mitch Crowden for Purple. The White team started strongly again, with Acres delivering a long ball to Michael Walters who found himself in space, leading to his first major of the game.

Defender Ethan Hughes began to work himself into the game more in the second quarter, providing support to the Purple team’s backline with some big spoils and ground ball gets. Rookie draftee Jarvis Pina also stood out at half-back as he managed to cut off multiple entries from the White team with good positioning and strong hands.

Cam McCarthy flowed well between the wing and the forward line, linking up with the Purple team’s midfielders with some good uncontested grabs. He rolled forward and was instantly rewarded with a set shot from 50 which was just touched on the goal line.

Lachie Schultz continued his tough efforts from last week’s intraclub, going hard at the contest whenever he could. The small forward goaled late in the quarter off the back of some good one-two work between Acres and Fyfe, crumbing and converting on the goal line.

Third quarter
After half time, a handful of players switched teams with Sam Sturt, Hughes, Brett Bewley and Brandon Matera changing to White and Aish, Acres, Taylin Duman and Banfield changing to Purple

Providing one of the big highlights of last week’s intraclub match, Schultz started the third term with another big grab. Nudging his opponent under the ball, Schultz spun himself nearly 180 degrees to take a diving chest mark in the pocket.

Logue was again strong in his matchup with Dixon, taking the game on to break through the midfield and deliver to the half-forward line.

Four of Freo’s youngsters showed some great signs for the future, as Jarvis Pina, Jason Carter and Tom North all linked up to deliver to Banfield for the Purple team, ending in Banfield’s second goal.

Luke Valente joined Serong in the midfield, showing some strong signs as he collected a number of contested possessions around the ground.

North and Crowden also joined the young midfield too throughout the quarter, bringing plenty of tackling pressure and energy to the contests.

Michael Frederick had been working well a defensive winger until he moved forward to provide what was arguably the highlight of the game.

Frederick broke through a handful of players in a tight space at the top of the 50 and threw it onto his boot to send a floating snap straight through for a major.

Towards the back half of the third quarter, the ball spent a lot of time between the 50s as strong defensive and midfield efforts from both teams caused turnovers with the likes of Hill, Jason Carter, Cerra, Logue and Fredrick all heavily involved.

Acres also continued to stand out even after switching sides, helping to even the scoreboard up for the Purple team.

Fourth quarter
Rory Lobb made his presence felt in the final term, rucking well at stoppages and taking some strong grabs inside 50 as he moved forward to kick his second goal.

Brayshaw matched up on Luke Valente in the middle, winning a lot of the ball at the stoppages to provide a number of clearances for the White team.

Blakely was also lively through the midfield for the Purple team, looking composed whenever he had the ball.

Carter also seemed to grow with confidence throughout the match, going back with courage in the final term to take a big mark in defence.

Despite Carter’s defensive efforts, the White team seemed to be too strong in the last, as Dixon, Lobb, Brayshaw and Sturt all goaled.

Serong never slowed down all day, finishing the game with a huge pack mark over the top of everyone on the wing, drawing cheers from the crowd of members and fans gathered on the sidelines.