First year Joel Western thought he was under no illusions about how tough a first-year in an AFL system would be, but the forward admitted to still being surprised at the jump from WAFL level.
As a product of Fremantle’s NGA, Western had experienced training with Fremantle prior to being drafted at no.54 in the 2020 NAB AFL National Draft.
But the 18-year-old said the pre-season program under Justin Longmuir had both exceeded his expectations in the mental and physical challenge, as well as the benefits he’s taken from it.
“It’s massive. It’s a huge step up, not just physically but even mentally,” Western said.
“It’s been awesome coming down here every day and learning new things but it can also take a bit of a mental toll on you.
“Learning the structures and the game plan is a big step up. You need to know where to stand and then you can play from there.
“I knew it was always going to be a big step up but actually getting down here, you realise what an actual big step it is.”
After being drafted in early December, Western was taking part in full football training before Christmas.
He said those first few weeks were both challenging and rewarding.
“At first, it took a really big toll on me," Western said.
“Getting rest and sleep when I need it is definitely helping. I’m lasting through the days now. I was feeling a bit drowsy towards the end of the day when I first started.”
That Joel Western ???????? ?? #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/E7TsyzJfM1
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) February 10, 2021
The full Fremantle squad showed how far they’ve come this pre-season on Tuesday when taking part in their second match simulation session in a four-day period.
It came after the group missed almost a week of training due to the five-day lockdown across Perth, Peel and the South West region.
Western said Tuesday’s session was by far the toughest of the summer, with the team playing eight periods that averaged 10 minutes to play an almost full-length game of football.
“It was a big session! The biggest I’ve done in my life,” Western said.
“It was practically a whole game, split into eight periods. It was good to get out there and get a bit of match sim under my belt.
“(The coaches are) really ramping it up. Match sim is the closest thing you can get to a game so, the more exposure we can get to games is what we want to get ready for the AAMI Community Series and round one.
“I’m definitely feeling that (match fitness) building. It’s definitely the biggest pre-season I’ve ever done. I’m feeling fit and ready to go.”
Fremantle will play two games against AFL opponents this pre-season, starting with a practice game against West Coast and then an AAMI Community Series game against Adelaide at Fremantle Oval on Saturday 6 March.
