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Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has warned his players to perform or face the axe ahead of Sunday’s AFL clash against Essendon at Subiaco Oval.
The Dockers have a bye next week due to the AFL’s split round but Harvey said if his players were already thinking about the week off they should think again.
“If players are thinking that way then that will cost you a game and I’ve spoken about that already,” Harvey said.
And the coach also threatened to cancel his players’ scheduled time off next week and force them into extra training sessions should he consider their preparation or performance against the Bombers sub-standard.
“If I get any hint or any mindset of that this week in the lead-up to the game and the outcome of the game then I would certainly consider that,” Harvey said.
“Perhaps if you don’t perform on the weekend there will be no holiday.”
Defenders Luke McPharlin (bruised ribs) and Michael Johnson (ankle) failed to train on Wednesday but will be assessed later in the week.
Harvey said McPharlin was “more likely than not” to play against the Bombers but labelled Johnson as “an outside chance” only.
Heath Black, who has served his two-match suspension for striking Brisbane’s Troy Selwood, will be relegated to the WAFL with Harvey still unimpressed by the veteran’s misdemeanour.
“I think I’ve always sent messages about what’s required and what discipline is all about,” Harvey said.
“Heath knows it and understands it and knows where he’s at. Hopefully he never finds himself in that situation again.”
Harvey said tagger Steven Dodd, Marcus Drum and Scott Thornton were all in line for a recall but ruled out veteran Shaun McManus (knee) for another week.
And in almost Kevin Sheedy-esque style, Harvey promised to unleash a few surprises against the Bombers this weekend.
“We are going to do a couple of things differently this week,” he said.
“I think you will see some interesting match-ups.”
When pressed on whether those match-ups involved Essendon spearheads Matthew Lloyd or Scott Lucas, Harvey replied: “I’ve been a great admirer of both those players.
“It will be interesting to see what happens when they think that whoever’s going to play on them … it might not be that way.
“I won’t let it out, it’s too early. It will be an interesting game.”
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