West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he was extra rattled by Justin Longmuir’s F-bomb than his buddy’s shock tactical determination main as much as the AFL’s western derby at Optus Stadium.
Simpson and Longmuir had been in a jovial temper on Friday, with the pair sharing a number of laughs throughout their joint 22-minute press convention.
Longmuir, who was once Simpson’s assistant on the Eagles, did not wish to give an excessive amount of away however the Dockers coach did reveal Hayden Young can be returning to his customary function in defence for Saturday’s conflict.
Young has starred as a tagger over the previous fortnight, limiting the affect of Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield and Lions gun Lachie Neale whereas gathering loads of his personal ball.
It was extensively anticipated Young can be once more used as a tagger this week to quell the affect of in-form Eagles midfielder Tim Kelly.
But with defender Ethan Hughes (ankle) dominated out for at the very least a fortnight, Longmuir mentioned Young can be wanted down again.
Simpson was intently listening in whereas Longmuir laid out his plans for Young.
A minute earlier, Simpson was left chuckling when Longmuir by chance swore after tangling up his phrases in attempting to explain the affect of Luke Jackson.
“I’m still getting over the F-bomb,” Simpson joked when requested what he felt about Young’s potential change of function.
“I’m just trying to compose myself.”
West Coast’s bid to snap their four-match derby dropping streak will largely relaxation on their capacity to restrict the injury from Jackson.
The 21-year-old has turn into a pressure within the ruck and at floor stage for the Dockers this season, with Eagles massive man Bailey Williams dealing with an enormous problem to include his reverse quantity.
Longmuir was lavish in his reward of Jackson, who tallied 24 disposals, 44 hitouts, six tackles, 5 marks, 5 clearances and a aim final week towards the Brisbane Lions.
“He’s an extra midfielder at ground level. His work at ground level is elite,” Longmuir mentioned.
“His ability to hunt the footy and hunt the man adds a different dynamic to his game and dimension to our midfield.
“He’s a fairly instinctive participant and that permits him to belief himself and play no matter’s in entrance of him.”
West Coast lead the derby head-to-head ledger 32-24, but Fremantle could close that gap over the coming years as the last-placed Eagles rebuild their list.
Former Eagles goalsneak Ashley Sampi received a retrospective Glendinning-Allan Medal on Friday to reward his four-goal effort from the round-five derby win over Fremantle in 2003.
Sampi was voted greatest on floor by the judges in that western derby match, however Ross Glendinning, who was accountable for handing out the medal, overturned the choice and awarded it to ruckman Michael Gardiner as a substitute.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
