Fremantle’s second to fourth year players returned to the club for their first official training session of the 2021 pre-season on Monday, but according to Caleb Serong, there was no need to get reacquainted with teammates after their time away.
The 19-year-old said the young players who stayed in Perth stuck together throughout their break to work on their football and fitness.
“A lot of the younger guys, we were getting around each other and training together,” Serong said.
“I trained the most with Andy (Brayshaw) and ‘Cez’ (Adam Cerra) and a couple of other guys like ‘Switta’ (Sam Switkowski) and ‘Youngy’ (Hayden Young) - Lloyd Meek was training really hard as well.
“I think there was a couple of little groups who were training together most of the time and a few boys floated in and out and did some stuff by themselves.
“Overall, we had a really consistent group that were always training together. We never had to run or do the kicking by ourselves, which made it easier.”
Bit of bash, bit of crash. ??#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/3gU7lkAayv
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Brayshaw and Cerra were natural training partners for Serong as the midfield trio looked to build on their impressive individual seasons in 2020. Cerra and Brayshaw finished third and fourth in the Doig Medal respectively while Serong won the NAB AFL Rising Star.
“We’re all good mates, it was pretty easy to link up and do training together,” Serong said.
“It helps that they’re both really fit and professional young guys, I was really able to push myself running and doing skills.
“All the sessions were to a really high quality. It was great doing everything in the gym and running with them. I learnt a lot from them and, hopefully, we can continue building that chemistry throughout pre-season into next year.”
“Andy and Cez are looking really fit. I think we’ve all been pushing each other. It hasn’t been just one person dragging us all along.
“They're both looking really fit and they’re ready for a big season next year.”
Serong was thrilled to see Young back on the training track. Taken a pick ahead of Serong at no.7, the defender had shown glimpses of his potential before he injured his ankle in round six against St Kilda.
“Youngy was looking great all through the off-season and he’s been fully training for a couple of weeks now,” Serong said.
“He was saying his ankle felt really good after the session today. Hopefully, he can keep progressing.
“We saw what he could do in the last couple of games before he got injured. I think he’s going to develop really nicely and, hopefully, put a really good season together next year.”
Serong is also excited to see young rucks Sean Darcy and Lloyd Meek go head to head through the summer.
Darcy took his game to another level in 2020, earning a spot in the AFLPA’s 22under22 team, while Meek has continued to develop as he pushes for a debut.
“Sean’s been working really hard. I think him and Meeky…they’ve had their own gym programs, they’re looking fit, strong and they’re both throwing a lot of weight around in the gym at the moment,” Serong said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing them go head to head in a few on-field battles when we get into match sim. I’m sure they’re both going to have really good seasons next year.”
