Exciting young forward Sam Sturt is on the cusp of a return to playing early in the 2021 season, according to executive general manager of football Peter Bell.
The first round selection from the 2018 NAB AFL National Draft played three games in his debut season in 2020, including starring in round one on debut against Essendon with three goals.
Bell said the medium forward is expected to bolster Freo’s forward stocks when he returns early in the year.
“Sam was very good on debut and he’s got some real athletic attributes with his speed and power and obviously he can sniff out a goal, as reflected by his three goals on debut,” Bell told 6PR.
“He had a syndesmosis injury in 2020, which unfortunately, lingered for a bit longer than what we had hoped.
“The good news is he’s not far away either. We’re hoping to get him back pretty soon.”
Despite the injuries to Bailey Banfield and Mitch Crowden on Sunday againt West Coast at Optus Stadium, Bell said Fremantle could call on a number of small forwards, including Sam Switkowski who missed the 2020 season due to injury.
“We do have a lot of small forwards, Sam Switkowski played some good footy in the practice match (at Lathlain Park) against West Coast (last week),” Bell said.
“Travis Colyer hasn’t had much of a look as well, Michael Frederick was good on the weekend, Liam Henry, Lachie Schultz. We do have a bit going through in the small forward department.”
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