Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe is likely to spend more time in the forward line as Freo’s younger midfielders continue to grow and impress, according to senior coach Justin Longmuir.
Fyfe rotated forward from the midfield in Freo’s 12-point win against Collingwood at Optus Stadium on Sunday, allowing midfielders like Caleb Serong and Connor Blakely more opportunity in the engine room.
While Fyfe’s team-leading 18 contested possessions helped Freo dominate the stat 151-115 senior coach Justin Longmuir feels Freo’s developing mids can take on more responsibility.
“He (Fyfe) wants to play forward. We want him to play forward,” Longmuir said.
“We’ll continue to work on the balance of his forward and midfield time.
“The thing about Nathan when he goes forward is that he draws a good defender. He makes that defender play on him which helps all the other forwards around him and he gives a really strong contest like he does in the midfield.
“So we will continue to tinker with that but I liked the balance tonight.”
Longmuir was thrilled to see the midfield win the battle for the contested ball.
“I thought we didn’t have any passengers in the contest tonight. I thought some players that have been down in that area really put their hand up, and the other thing that was pleasing was not only our commitment to the contest, but our method was good,” Longmuir said.
“Last week we lost all structure and at times we had eight guys within five metres of the footy and that’s not the way we want to play. We want to play with method. We played with better desire and commitment to the contest, so it was really pleasing.”
Blakely had 23 disposals in his first game in 2020 and was one of many contributors in an even midfield performance
Longmuir said Blakely had secured his spot in the team for now.
“Absolutely (Blakely’s) there (in the starting 22) for a bit. He’s had a point to prove for the last 10 weeks to be honest,” Longmuir said.
“I said to him during the week that he’s a better footballer now than what he was eight weeks ago without having played AFL football and that was because of his attitude.
“His attitude to training with real purpose, his commitment to the contest, his commitment to his teammates and that prepared him for his opportunity and tonight he took it.
“Clearly he’s got some work to do in certain areas of his game but I loved his attitude, I loved his commitment to his role.”
Longmuir said Fremantle had unearthed someone special in first-year player Caleb Serong, who had 24 disposals and nine clearances a week after earning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
“He’s not your typical first year player. His attitude, his want to compete, his body size, his strength, he’s really mixed it with our mids from day one that he’s been at the club,” Longmuir said.
“We’ve given him a couple of roles the last couple of weeks playing on those really good inside players, and he’s been able to not only get the job done but he’s been able to get the upper hand on both those roles.
“I’m just really proud of him. He’s a young kid with a great attitude and a good skillset for AFL footy and he’s only grow on what he’s done tonight. I think the last two weeks shows he has got a lot of talent and AFL qualities and he’s only going to get better.”
