Anything and Everything Fremantle
Archive for December, 2011
Tigers duo in line to join Dockers
012 years
Fremantle could have revealed two of their likely rookie squad additions for 2012 after Claremont pair Tom Lee and Kane Mitchell today joined the AFL club’s pre-season training.
The Dockers today received permission from the AFL for the Tigers duo to join in their skills sessions.
The pair were key members of Claremont’s 2011 WAFL premiership team, Mitchell collecting 27 possessions and applying eight tackles while Lee had 15 possessions.
Lee spent time with Adelaide after being drafted in 2008.
Former Collingwood squad member Brad Dick and delisted Docker Clancee Pearce have also been training with Fremantle int he hope of getting another chance at AFL level.
Fremantle have committed to securing former St Kilda defender Zac Dawson in next month’s pre-season draft.
East Perth’s Freddie Clutterbuck is training with Melbourne in the hope of winning a rookie squad berth.
Freo’s forward focus
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by DockerNow.com
in News
After missing out on securing Mitch Clark in Trade Week, Fremantle knows unearthing a second tall forward is crucial in 2012.
The 24-year-old accepted a lucrative offer from Melbourne, despite first declaring he only wanted to play for Freo.
The club is now focused on developing a player within its ranks to assist skipper Matthew Pavlich, who has been earmarked for a permanent forward role next season.
“Jack Anthony and Kepler Bradley and, depending on the match committee, probably a resting ruckman,” assistant coach Peter Sumich said when asked who the preferred options were.
When asked if young ruckman Zac Clarke would fulfill the role, Sumich replied: “At the moment we’d probably class [Clarke] more as a forward but Zac hasn’t been on the track yet and has to keep working through that process.”
Sumich hoped Pavlich, who increased his midfield presence in 2011, could lengthen his career with a return to the forward line.
Barlow looks to recapture best form
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by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
Fremantle revelation Michael Barlow remains certain he can regain the form that had him in line for a Brownlow Medal in just his first season of AFL football.
Barlow has been back training with the Dockers for four weeks on an extended rehabilitation program, with aims of rejoining the main group in a fortnight.
The 23-year-old returned in Round 13 this year after recovering from a horrific broken left leg suffered 17 months ago in Fremantle’s win over Port Adelaide.
Rookie Tom Sheridan ready for Freo future
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Could Tom Sheridan be the next Paul Hasleby?
A natural athlete with clean hands, excellent vision and good disposal, Freo’s first round pick in this year’s draft has some similarities with the 208-game Dockers great.
Both players had a basketball background, which Sheridan said helped in the heat of the midfield battle.
“Basketball has been a sport I’ve played all my life and it definitely helps with your decision-making and team orientation,” he said.
De Boer eyes inside mid role
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Matt de Boer is hoping a full pre-season and improved fitness levels can help him become the inside midfielder he wanted to be at the start of last season.
The 21-year-old said an interrupted pre-season leading into 2011 meant he couldn’t get himself to the level he needed to be at to play in the position.
“I was hoping to play an inside midfielder role but my fitness levels weren’t there,” he said.
“Hopefully this year I can take it up another level and step in there.”
The back-to-back Best Clubman winner at Fremantle has fully recovered from a medial ligament injury sustained on his knee late last season and is set for a full 2012 pre-season campaign.
Always one to put the team ahead of himself, de Boer said that if he could slot into Freo’s midfield in 2012, he’d be more than happy to see his teammates get all the credit if it meant a victory for Fremantle.
