I woke up on Sunday morning feeling the need for some footy. So, before the wife could arise from her slumber and voice an objection, I hopped in the car and drove the world’s most boring highway to the Cockburn ARC to watch the Fremantle Dockers’ final match sim of the pre-season.
It turned out to be a rather enlightening trip, as the Dockers’ put together clear A and B sides and gave a healthy crowd of onlookers a fair glimpse into their Round One plans.
Josh Treacy (five goals) and Caleb Serong (four) starred alongside first-round draftee, Murphy Reid, who put together a serious display to press his claim for an early debut, as the purple “A” team cruised to a dominant victory over their grey “B” team counterparts.
I try to make it to at least one of the Freo match sims every pre-season, and this was by far the most promising I’ve seen yet. Shai Bolton showed off his envious sidestepping skills, Michael Frederick continued his goal kicking form from the exhibition against the Indigenous All-Stars, and the Freo back six looked stout as ever despite the absence of skipper Alex Pearce.
I actually went to this morning’s hi tout intending not to write anything afterwards, because let’s be honest, these pre-season intraclub games can leave you clutching at straws. However, as far as match simulation goes, this one was pretty bloody juicy, so much so that I changed my mind and figured I’d bring you the highlights from my lens. Check out my key takeaways below.
Murphy Reid is firming for Round One
Taken with pick 17 in the National Draft, Murphy Reid showed composure, evasive skills and an aptitude for making the right decision as he filled the half forward/midfield role left vacant by the absence of a concussed Sam Switkowski.
The young gun was arguably best-on-ground (behind a rampant Caleb Serong, I’d say) as he impressed across all four quarters with poise beyond anything that could be reasonably expected of a first year player.
Reid played a key role in several scoring passages for Fremantle, including setting up three goals himself in the third term alone (he also kicked his own major in the second).
He saved his best for the fourth term, however, when a kick from Jeremy Sharp dropped short and landed awkwardly at his feet. Reid was able to collect the half-volley cleanly before shaking a defender out of his boots, turning on a dime and caressing the footy to the chest of Luke Jackson 20m out from goal.
It was the kind of play that made a pretty subdued crowd elicit a collective “ooohh”, and capped off a bloody good morning for the young fella.
Perhaps most impressive was his compatibility alongside seasoned guns Serong, Bolton and Andrew Brayshaw, particularly in regard to the speed and precision with which he hit his outlet handballs.
AFL Draft expert Cal Twomey ranked Reid as high as sixth in the November edition of his popular Phantom Form Guide. Perhaps the Dockers got a steal at 17?
Caleb Serong’s scoreboard impact
I usually like to avoid writing about the stars of the game in pre-season articles, but Serong’s impact on the scoreboard in his past two showings could be an insight into a new level the two-time All-Australian may reach in 2025.
The 24-year-old booted 11 goals across the final 12 rounds of the 2024 season (having kicked zero before that point), and in his latest showings against the Indigenous All-Stars and now in match sim, has shown a capacity to go forward and do damage on the scoreboard.
The star midfielder nailed four goals in today’s run, just one behind hulking forward Josh Treacy’s tally of five.
He’s already one of the best clearance and around-the-ground midfielders in the game, but the sky’s the limit if Serong can threaten the goals more regularly this season.
A defensive dilemma for Freo coaches
Josh Draper only played about half of this game before going off with the good old “hamstring awareness”, but it was enough for onlookers to make note of his significantly bigger frame and improved sense of confidence in Fremantle’s back six.
The young tall looked good early on, showing his dexterity at ground level while also winning a couple of key aerial contests.
His opposing grey team went almost to half time without scoring a goal, an accomplishment that Draper played a key part in alongside Brennan Cox.
Obviously, Alex Pearce will eventually come into this side, so it presents a question to Freo coaches: How tall can you go? Can you play all three of Cox, Pearce and Draper in the same outfit?
Personally, I like the look of it, mostly due to Draper’s pace and ability to generate run. It reminds me of the Ross Lyon days, when Luke McPharlin, Zac Dawson and Michael Johnson led the league’s stingiest defence for the better part of five years.
Should that come to pass, Corey Wagner would likely be the unlucky smaller defender to get the chop. However, Wagner played pretty well for that A side today too, so there are plenty of options.
It’s a good problem to have, but still one the coaches will need to get right.
A couple of young mids falling behind the pack
Drafted together in the same year, Matt Johnson and Neil Erasmus have had to bide their time for opportunities as Serong, Brayshaw and Hayden Young tightened their hold on Freo’s main midfield spots.
Today, both featured in the grey “B” team’s midfield, alongside forgotten fan favourite Will Brodie, and both were upstaged by the aforementioned Murphy Reid.
Johnson played plenty of games last year, but largely out of position on a wing as he fell behind Nat Fyfe in the pecking order. With Reid now on the scene and a healthy Nathan O’Driscoll tipped to take that wing spot, his place in the 22 is on shaky ground.
Erasmus on the other hand has been even further behind Johnson, and did little to help his cause this morning.
Like many Freo fans, I want the best for these two, but it feels like the reality of being Peel Thunder players is creeping ever closer for the young midfielders in 2025.
Where will Shai Bolton have the most impact?
He’s been recruited to take Fremantle’s forward half to new heights, but after today I wonder if Shai Bolton will do more damage as part of their centre bounce midfield.
The smooth-moving superstar saw plenty of action in the guts today (largely due to Hayden Young’s absence), and he made the most of his time there.
His lightning quick change of direction was often able to buy Serong and Reid enough time to get free for an outlet handball, and his ball use added a new threat to the A team’s midfield group.
He was also a menace at stoppages around the ground, as ruckmen Liam Reidy and Luke Jackson spoon-fed the 26-year-old to get him on the move. Once he had the ball in space, it was all over for the blokes in grey.
He did also manage to get on the end of a nice goal after Luke Jackson created a turnover in the middle of the ground, but overall it was his damage up the field that gave the greatest impact.
Obviously, Freo fans want to see Bolton kicking bags in 2025, but I’d like to see him spending as much time in the middle as possible. Particularly given the ability of both Young and Serong to rotate forward now.
And some final quick points for the fun of it…
- Lock Nathan O’Driscoll in for the wing role opposite Jeremy Sharp. He’s enjoying a ripping pre-season and his ability to gain territory is something the Dockers have missed since the exit of Blake Acres after 2022.
- Michael Frederick might be the biggest benefactor of the Shai Bolton acquisition. Kicked three goals today and at times went unchecked.
- Jye Amiss was quiet as Treacy took the lead role in the opening half, but was able to use his improved frame to make an impact in the latter. Looked good in the air today.
- Jordan Clark and Brandon Walker buzzed around picking up possessions all day, while Heath Chapman and Luke Ryan played deeper roles in defence.
- Murphy Reid is nicknamed either “Bruise” or “Bruce”, I am unsure, can anyone enlighten me? Either way, I love it.
- Peel Thunder train-on and South Mandurah product Corey Tregenza booted a couple goals and was arguably more impressive than grey teammate Pat Voss.
So, all in all, I’ve got Caleb Serong winning the Brownlow, Josh Treacy the Coleman, Murphy Reid the rising star and Freo going undefeated on their way to a maiden flag. What a great day to be in Cockburn… first time I’ve ever said that.
