Nat Fyfe says Fremantle players’ understanding of new coach Justin Longmuir’s game plan has regressed as a result of the two-month AFL shutdown.
The Dockers are embarking on a new era following last year’s axing of Ross Lyon, who coached them for eight seasons and took the club to its one and only grand final appearance in 2013.
A Dockers favourite during 139 games between 1999 and 2007, Longmuir has been thrust into his first coaching job during a once-in-a-century pandemic.
“It’s been a baptism of fire for ‘JL’ (Longmuir) having to come in implementing a game plan and play one game, then press park for eight weeks,” Fremantle captain Fyfe told Fox Footy.
“We’ve probably regressed slightly with our understanding of the game plan and implementation of that.
“But what we have been able to do is get to know each other a little bit more in a different way.
“We’ll look to use these next four weeks to bud that connection ad well as build our game plan knowledge an get to know JL’s language.”
Fremantle will soon fly to Queensland to base themselves on the Gold Coast for at least the first four rounds of the AFL season restart.
The dual Brownlow medallist says every Dockers player will travel across to the east coast, even those injured and in the rehab group.
But family members are unlikely to join the team if the Dockers’ stay in south-east Queensland extends past round five.
“It looks like for the first four weeks, we’re going to keep it pretty businesslike, mostly just the players and coaches,” Fyfe said.
Fremantle will take on Brisbane at the Gabba on June 13 as they aim to make up for a round one loss to Essendon in March.
Matches
Roar Rookie
The original trade involved JK, Masten & Judd, who are all premiership players. ... Sending Cripps to WCE for JK, & Masten (coming out of retirement), would give Cripps a chance of becoming a premiership player too. :silly:
Matches
Roar Rookie
As JK is 32, WCE would do that trade. The reverse Judd trade would give them Masten too. :stoked: He's retired but he's younger than Simpson, so just do it.
Matches
Roar Rookie
:laughing: & a future second round pick swap
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
not sure of the wooden spoon but i recon GC will win a GF before freo do
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Silly
RT
Roar Rookie
or Adelaide
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
So what is your evidence then Jonboy?
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
That is not my evidence at all, actually it is the complete opposite. Don’t believe what players say to the media.Hopefully for Patrick he has better luck than Pav.and gets a flag at Carlton.I am happy that your convinced he won’t finish his career ar the Eagles.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
I am not trying to get rid of him. Jacko put up a hypothetical for discussion and you started jumping off your high horse.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
He said it on 6PR years ago, so that’s your evidence he is going back to WA. In an article in the West Australian last year this is what Cripps said. “Patrick Cripps spoke about the moments when he considered seeking a trade home to be closer to family & friends. There are definitely times when your mind moves to it, maybe after a bad loss and you think it might be good to go home. But you reset the next day. I can’t say there has been a point where I really considered going home”. I remember an article about Matthew Pavlich considering a move back to Adelaide but was glad he decided to stay at the Dockers. He basically said the same things as Cripps in that he knew there was some unfinished business at the football club and he wanted to be right at the forefront of that. So Jonboy, players early on in their careers might be thinking about wanting to go home, some do but Crippa has stated many times he wants to stay at the Blues because he wants to help the club taste success.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Of course it's not a win if you lose Fyfe. Fyfe is the kind of player every club wants when they draft or trade. Why get rid of him when you have him?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
different legs. We all know he is injured. Remember, you think he has been available but when it suits you, suddenly, he is injured.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Cripps did say on 6 pr years ago of his intentions where he may end his career, but as I said don’t believe what they tell the media.One thing is you have got his best years but he will play for the Eagles.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Like Lachie Neal and Brad Hill ? Actually if you get two A graders for the price of one it can be a win.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Exactly what breaks do Don.He is currently in rehab after his fifth operation in March.
The Dom is good
Roar Rookie
wooden spoon - Gold coast or freo?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Darcy Moore has missed as many games through injury as Pearce has and is only 6 months younger. That would be a Jonboy trade. Moore's, however, are soft tissue. Pearce's are breaks, far less likely to revist as an injury in later years. Pearce is also way better and the future captain according to all Freo players.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Sorry Jonboy but I believe what Cripps tells the media and supporters more than your ‘no evidence’ comment.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Col you could read what I said to Don regarding what players say on TV and Radio, rarely believe any thing they say. No i have not spoken to Patrick for a few years but without going into detail, his long term plans remain the same finishing his career at the Eagles. It is obviously not in the short term, but he is only 25 yo and there bred a lot tougher in the bush .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nah. I'm a Freo supporter. Jonboy isn't. Trading good players is just something club don't instigate. If a player wants to make a move (usually for lifestyle or money) clubs will get the best they can but no club would trade the best player in the comp in the hope they might get a top 10 player in return. When you have the best, you keep him. That's what you're looking for.