Fremantle’s Michael Frederick is employing an instinctive approach to his football in the hopes of impressing his coaches and fellow teammates on the training track.
The 19-year-old’s instinctive habits have found the full support of senior coach Justin Longmuir, who is encouraging Frederick to take a simple approach to his football.
“Justin has said to keep it simple and to not over think it,” Frederick said.
“We do a lot of mental skills work behind the scenes and that’s one of the things, just to keep it simple and stick to a routine.
“You do have to think about the structure and all that stuff but mostly, play off instinct and all the other stuff will come naturally.”
Frederick has impressed in both of Fremantle’s intraclub matches, with his running bursts and evasive skills a feature.
“It was much more of a step up than league footy in the SANFL, but I guess you get used to it with the amount of training you do out on the track,” Frederick said.
“I just thought I played to my instinct and didn’t over think it.
“It was just another game of footy against bigger blokes.
“With the body work and tackling and all that…I think I’ve improved on it a fair bit since coming here.”
Playing predominantly as a winger in the SANFL competition for Woodville-West Torrens, Frederick is eyeing off a similar position with Fremantle.
Frederick feels that the opportunity to learn from new recruits James Aish and Blake Acres has been instrumental to his development in the wing role.
“I feel like I’ve done enough (to be in the conversation for selection for the Marsh Series), but I’ve still got plenty to work on as everyone else does as well,” Frederick said.
“It’s just picking the brains of the wingers like Blake Acres and James Aish and seeing what they do differently.
“Having them help me out on the track is really good…it helps me come out of my comfort zone.”
Added to the influence of Aish and Acres, Frederick is relishing the opportunity to train alongside the player he’s looked up to for the best part of a decade, Michael Walters.
“Cyril Rioli is probably my all-time favourite player but ‘Sonny’ as well,” Frederick said.
“He’s one that sticks out for me and he’s someone that I loved to watch when I grew up watching footy.
“It was surreal meeting him to be honest…I guess only seeing them on TV or at the games when they play in Adelaide, and now you’re training against them and seeing them every day.
“It’s all part of the norm now, so I can’t be a fan anymore really.
“I haven’t picked his brains yet, but we have a chat every now and then about life and footy in general.”
