Joel Western’s opportunity at AFL level could come as early as Sunday when Fremantle take on Brisbane at the Gabba.
Senior coach Justin Longmuir praised the efforts of the 18-year-old so far in the WAFL this season but admitted it might be hard to fit the speedy forward in the line-up this week.
“Joel’s in the mix. His form in the WAFL has been gradually building some really good performances. We’ll just have to weigh that up,” Longmuir said.
“We’ve been pretty happy with the forward line function as it sits. It’s probably other areas of the ground that are of more concern at this stage, but he’s in the mix.”
The Next Generation Academy product was selected by Fremantle at no.54 in the 2020 NAB AFL National Draft, arriving with a 20m sprint time of 2.73 seconds - the fastest in all draft combines since records were first kept in 1999.
Western has kicked at least one goal in each of his four WAFL appearances for Peel this season.
His 26 disposals and 10 marks against West Coast’s WAFL team on Sunday was arguably his best of his season so far.
Longmuir said Western has used his speed to his advantage in the WAFL.
“He’s got some weapons that will translate well to AFL footy,” Longmuir said.
“He’s got electric pace. I think he’s improved his ground ball, contest and pressure. His strengths are what’s going to make him a good AFL player and he’s been putting it on show in the WAFL.”
100m sprints with Joel Western ???????@peelthunder | @freodockers pic.twitter.com/4nuJXW4rWr
— WAFL (@WAFLOfficial) April 18, 2021
Sunday’s game was switched from Optus Stadium to the Gabba in light of the current Covid situation in Perth.
It means Fremantle will instead host Brisbane in the return fixture in round 21.
Longmuir said it was disappointing to not have the chance to play in front of the Fremantle fans for the first time since round four.
“Ideally we’d love to be playing at home in front of our crowd with Brisbane travelling,” Longmuir said.
“We always knew this season was going to have some disruptions, Brisbane have been through it earlier in the year and it’s our turn this time.
“We’re lucky we get the fixture swap at the back end of the year, it will work out even in the long run.”
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