Caleb Serong’s 35 disposals against North Melbourne was just two off the all-time high for Fremantle for a player aged 20 or under.
Only Paul Hasleby’s 37 touches against Richmond at the WACA as a 19-year-old eclipses the 20-year-old’s efforts at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
Serong led Freo in the 51-point win with Nat Fyfe (34), Andrew Brayshaw (31) and David Mundy (30) all having 30 or more on the night.
After a standout season, where he won the 2020 NAB AFL Rising Star, Serong had averaged 22.6 touches per game leading into the round six clash.
He said he had been disappointed with some aspects of his game so far in 2021.
“For me, it was just getting back to playing my role and doing the basics right,” Serong said.
“For the last couple of weeks I’d been a little bit disappointed with a few fundamental things and I was just trying to get back to the basics.
“It was nice to get on the end of a few.”
Seorng paid tribute to Mundy, who is 15 years his senior, for another dominant performance through the midfield.
Mundy set a personal record in his 338th AFL game with the first 30-disposal and three-goal game of his career.
“The other midfielders played really well, Dave was fantastic, especially for the first half,” Serong said.
“He’s fantastic. We learn a lot from him, us young guys, and the way he’s going about it now is unbelievable.
“He’s getting better and better as the weeks go on and the years go on.
“He’s an inspiration and I’m just trying to pick his brains as much as I can and learn as much craft and skills with preparation on game day. He’s been fantastic.”
