The type of Sam Switkowski and an lively show from Luke Jackson have introduced a smile to Justin Longmuir’s face, however the Fremantle coach faces some sleepless nights pondering methods to repair to the membership’s midfield wobbles.
Switkowski was a revelation within the midfield throughout Sunday’s 41-point win over West Coast, together with his power, poise, and intense strain proving essential within the 16.12 (108) to 9.13 (67) triumph.
The 26-year-old completed with 21 disposals, six tackles, two clearances and two objectives in arguably the most effective performances of his 49-game profession.
Jackson, who copped heavy criticism following a lacklustre begin to his Dockers profession, was one other brilliant spot on the best way to 12 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, 17 hitouts and two objectives, whereas mixing his time as a big-bodied midfielder, key ahead and ruckman.
Fremantle’s swifter ball motion meant their ahead line appeared extra harmful, they usually reaped the rewards with their highest rating since spherical 17 final season.
But the actual fact Fremantle solely gained the clearances 39-35 towards the injury-hit Eagles regardless of dominating the hitout battle 69-16 is a priority.
“We’d like a better result out of clearances,” Longmuir mentioned.
“It’s not as easy as everyone thinks to get your ruck-mid connection right when the opposition expects to lose the hitouts.
“So we’ll preserve devising plans and developing with plans to attempt to maximise our hitouts, our ruck-mid connection.
“I just think at times we’re not as fleet of foot around the contest as we need to be.”
Jackson’s derby show was promising moderately than spectacular.
But it was nonetheless a major step in the suitable path after quiet performances towards St Kilda and North Melbourne.
“He’s been getting his hands to a lot of aerial contests and he still dropped a few today that he would love to take, (but) he was able to get some reward for effort,” Longmuir mentioned.
“His first goal was special, but the one in the last quarter when he just launched at the footy and marked at the highest point, that’s what we’ve seen all summer.
“He simply must preserve placing himself in the suitable positions and preserve rocking up they usually’ll stick.”
Switkowski’s stand-out display has him in line to become a semi-permanent fixture in the midfield this season.
“You would have seen his velocity and agility, however he reveals nice composure with ball in hand and he very not often wastes a possession,” Longmuir mentioned.
“When the ball hits the deck you want good floor ball gamers that hunt the footy, and if they cannot hunt the footy, they hunt the person.
“He does that all over the ground, so he’s a good centre bounce player.”
Defender Heath Chapman is doubtful to tackle the Crows in Adelaide subsequent Saturday after struggling a calf harm, whereas all eyes might be on Nat Fyfe this week as he makes an attempt to beat his plantar fasciitis ailment.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
