Fremantle may have been looking to the past with a throwback to the jumper they wore in their very first game in 1995, but Hayden Young was one of a handful of players in a four-point win against Richmond that will have Freo fans excited for the future.
Playing just his second game back from a significant hamstring injury, Young smashed his previous career-best of 19 disposals with 23 touches and a team-high nine intercepts.
Young felt he slotted in well with a backline that was up against it without star back Alex Pearce, going up against the likes of Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch.
“Griffin Logue and Luke Ryan did really well and our backs supported each other well in the air,” Young said.
“The Tigers move the ball really quickly, and they like to get it out the back.
“We had our work cut out for us but we all worked together and we did it as a unit, which was good.”
The second-year player felt he took an important step forward in his 10th AFL game.
“I was really pleased,” Young said.
“Obviously, I’ve missed a lot of footy so I’m just really grateful to be back and playing.
“First and foremost, I just had a lot of fun today, which was really good and I thought my game reflected that.”
Young praised the final-quarter feats of Lachie Schultz, who did more than take a spectacular mark and convert to get Freo back inside a goal late in the game.
“I was stoked when he took that because I was gassed and I needed a breather!” Young said.
“It was a spectacular mark, and he went back and kicked it, which was even better.”
Finishing round 20 in eighth place, Freo have two more home games to come against Brisbane and West Coast before a round 23 road trip to face St Kilda.
“I’m really excited (about the coming games),” Young said.
“I think we can take some momentum from this win, hopefully keep going forward and push towards finals. I’m really looking forward to playing in front of our home fans for the next few weeks.”
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