Anything and Everything Fremantle
WAFL
Michael Walters closing on AFL return, says Swan Districts coach Greg Harding
012 years
Swan Districts coach Greg Harding believes Michael Walters is not far from a return to AFL football with the Fremantle Dockers.
The enigmatic forward, down for the much of the first three quarters in the Swans’ WAFL clash against Subiaco on Saturday, turned on his talents in the final term.
Walters had seven kicks and four marks, including a screamer over the top of the opponent who had his measure for much of the day, Kane Bloxsidge.
WAFL Watch – Sam Menegola shines
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
Fremantle rookie Sam Menegola’s impressive four-goal effort from the midfield in East Fremantle’s win over Perth has earned him Freo’s WAFL Player of the Week award.
The 20-year-old had 20 disposals to go with his four-goal haul.
Fremantle assistant and senior development coach Simon Lloyd said Menegola had good endurance abilities and has been learning to run to the right places during games.
“That’s the thing that has really developed in his game, where Sam’s running to,” Lloyd said.
“He’s running to some really usable positions and using that run to help out in defence and also kick goals.
“He’s getting a number of scoring shots when he plays that high forward role as his 4.2 showed on the weekend.”
Menegola spent a year on Hawthorn’s rookie list in 2011 and is currently a rookie at Freo.
Lloyd said it was easy to keep someone with Sam’s personal qualities in a positive mindset.
Dockers, Eagles reserves plans collapse
012 years
West Coast and Fremantle’s bid to have reserves teams in the WAFL is on the verge of collapse after the State league clubs refused to endorse the proposal to introduce a bye model next season.
At least six WAFL clubs remain vehemently opposed to a concept that would see them play 18 home-and-away rounds a season as well as four virtual scratch matches against Eagles and Dockers reserves teams.
WA Football Commission chief executive Gary Walton presented a draft paper to the nine WAFL presidents this week and remained confident that the clubs would not reject it out of hand.
But as Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said introducing a Dockers reserves team “remained a strategic priority”, several WAFL presidents were adamant that the concept was not worth pursuing and should be abandoned.
WAFL Watch – Sutcliffe gets going
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
After a good start to his first AFL pre-season, injury forced Freo recruit Cameron Sutcliffe to spend a fair bit of time on the sidelines.
But since making his WAFL debut on 21 April, the South Australian has done nothing but impress Freo’s coaches.
He was solid last weekend, accumulating 23 disposals in East Fremantle’s big win over South Fremantle.
Freo assistant and senior development coach Simon Lloyd said Sutcliffe had displayed good professionalism, leadership skills and a great work ethic since arriving at the club.
“He’s very diligent and has a real willingness to work,” Lloyd said.
“Anyone that has a great work ethic is going to work themselves into the game.”
Lloyd said Sutcliffe’s performances in the WAFL had been very pleasing.
WAFL Watch: Wilson-King impresses in first league game
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
Young rookie Jordan Wilson-King made an impressive first league appearance for South Fremantle in round 6 of WAFL action last weekend.
Wilson-King lined up on the half-back flank in the 73-point win over Peel Thunder and had 20 disposals, including five inside-50s.
Development coach Steve Grace said the club was “exceptionally pleased” with the 18-year-old’s step up to league following reserves appearances in recent weeks.
“Jordan generated plenty of run from the backline on the weekend, his ball use was good and he showed a lot of poise,” Grace said.
“He wasn’t overawed by the jump up in level.”
Grace said the attacking side to Wilson-King’s game was intrinsic, but the primary aspect the club was trying to engrain in him was defence.
“We’re trying to get Jordan’s basic fundamentals right, one of which is basic defence,” Grace said.
WAFL WATCH – Faulks on the road
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
Peter Faulks’ weekly WAFL efforts are showing the improvements in his game that his coaches have been looking for from him.
The 23-year-old was Freo’s WAFL Player of the Week in round 5 of competition for his 20-possession performance from Peel Thunder’s defence.
Freo’s coaching staff have been working on the attacking side of Faulks’ game, and assistant Simon Lloyd said last weekend’s display was one of a number of good recent showings from the former Sydney Swan.
“We’ve always known that Peter’s been very good defensively, but there’s the part of the game when we win the footy,” he said.
“We want him to be attacking and get used as part of the rebound.
“That’s something that’s been a big change in mindset for Peter, but he’s got his head around it and we’re seeing it on the field.”
Bulldogs throw Sibosado a lifeline
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
South Fremantle are poised to come to the rescue of de-listed Docker Casey Sibosado by signing him as early as today.
Sibosado, 21, completed his first training session with the Bulldogs on Wednesday night and is set to be cleared by his original club, Claremont, for a fee of about $5000.
South Fremantle’s football affairs committee is likely to approve Sibosado’s signing today and expect he will be fit to play by early next month.
While South Fremantle will probably have to move veteran Chris Bossong to the long-term injury list to make room for Sibosado, football manager Garry Davidson was confident the former Fremantle rookie would have an impact for his new club.
WAFL Watch – Grover gets going
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
After an interrupted pre-season, key defender Antoni Grover is picking up form through the WAFL and pushing hard to return to senior AFL action.
An integral part of Fremantle’s defence since his debut back in 1999, Grover was solid deep in Subiaco’s backline in the club’s 15-point Foxtel Cup loss to the Port Adelaide Magpies last Saturday.
Grover played on dangerous Port Power forward Brett Ebert and did well to limit his influence.
Fremantle assistant coach Simon Lloyd said it was a pleasing hit-out for Grover against an AFL player of Ebert’s quality.
“You can get a really good gauge on how players are travelling when they play on players of that standard and Brett Ebert had little impact inside forward 50 apart from a clever opportunistic goal,” Lloyd said.
“Ebert can open you up pretty quickly, so you have to be on your toes.
WAFL Watch: Quantity and quality
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
Fremantle’s WAFL Player of the Week, Jonathon Griffin, showed he was ready for an AFL call-up with an outstanding effort for East Fremantle at WAFL level in round 3 of action in the state competition.
Griffin just pipped the in-form Dylan Roberton, who had another strong performance for East Perth.
Assistant coach Simon Lloyd said a number of Freo Dockers were in good form in the WAFL, including Jay van Berlo (West Perth), Tom Sheridan (Peel), Peter Faulks (Peel) and rookie Sam Menegola (East Freo).
Adding to those, Anthony Morabito made his eagerly anticipated return with a solid effort for Peel’s reserves, while defenders Alex Silvagni (Claremont) and Antoni Grover (Subiaco) also had solid performances.
Lloyd said picking a team for AFL action has become increasingly difficult, thanks to the Freo Dockers’ WAFL efforts, but he added that it was a pleasing problem to have every week.
Morabito solid in WAFL hit-out
012 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
Dashing Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito took another step towards resuming in the AFL with a convincing return in the Peel reserves against Perth at Brownes Stadium today.
Morabito is on the way back from a knee reconstruction after injuring himself at a pre-season training session in 2010.
The Dockers’ first pick and No.4 overall at the 2009 national draft, Morabito played 23 games in his rookie season before being injured.
Morabito moved freely in three quarters today, showing no signs of the injury which made him a spectator for all of last season.
The athletic 20-year-old, who had a thin layer of tape under his left knee, brushed off any physical confrontation with ease and was involved in play regularly.
Morabito had the second highest possession tally on the ground at half time and finished with 10 kicks, five handballs, four marks, two inside 50s and a goal to be a useful contributor in the Thunder’s 62-point victory.
