Midfielder Blake Acres feels he has been given the opportunity to thrive at a new club and under Fremantle’s new senior coach Justin Longmuir after impressing in Fremantle’s Marsh Community Series win against Carlton on Saturday.
Acres’ 31 disposals eclipsed his career-high of 30 in an AFL game, helping lead a young Fremantle midfield in their 47-point win.
The 24-year-old said he was loving playing more midfield time at Freo.
“I suppose playing on the wing and on the ball for a bit, you’re going to find a bit of the footy and today that was my day,” Acres said.
“I played a variety of roles at the Saints and JL just stuck me on the wing and put me inside a little bit. That was good to get a bit of continuity around the footy and just play my game.
“I’m very lucky to be able to get a bit of the footy.”
With All Stars Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters watching from the sidelines after playing in Friday night’s bushfire fundraiser game, Acres, Adam Cerra and fellow new recruit James Aish played a mix of wing and on the ball, while young mids Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Connor Blakely and Mitch Crowden shared midfield minutes.
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Freo’s engine room had the upper hand with 38 clearances to 33, seeing Freo’s forwards take 17 marks inside 50 compared to Carlton’s eight.
Acres said the group stood up in the absence of their top players.
“I thought they were outstanding,” Acres said.
“They’re probably pretty used to having Fyfe run around for them.
Acres also thought Fremantle’s backline excelled.
In the absence of injured key defenders Joel Hamling and Alex Pearce, Griffin Logue shone with nine intercept possessions while Luke Ryan continued his outstanding 2019 form with 11 rebound 50s and eight marks.
“They were outstanding. I thought Griffin Logue made a step up with a few big outs for us with Joel and Alex not playing,” Acres said.
“He did his part and the whole back six, they all did really well together. They’re building something good back there.”
