High-profile Fremantle forward Jesse Hogan will be turned into a defender as the Dockers attempt to plug some sizeable holes down back.
Hogan was lured to the Dockers at the end of 2018 with hopes he would become the club’s next great forward.
A second major foot injury last year and battles with mental health meant the Dockers are yet to see the best of Hogan, who has booted just 13 goals in 15 games for them.
The former Demon hasn’t played since injuring his calf in round five and he has been training as a defender in recent weeks.
Coach Justin Longmuir knows it’s a risk playing Hogan in defence but it’s one he feels the club needs to take given Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and probably Griffin Logue won’t be seen again in 2020.
“We’re undersized in our backline,” Longmuir said.
“He wants to do it, he’s put his hand up to do it. How long that takes to upskill him to play in our backline – we’ll have to wait and see.
“But he’s had some minutes in the reserves today and executed some stuff pretty well, so we’ll look at that.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a risk because we’re not going to get a lot of opportunity to play against another opposition in an 18 on 18 format.
“So we have to be creative with the way we educate him, with the way we give him opportunities to train as a back. And at some stage we’re just going to have to throw him in.”
Longmuir doesn’t see Hogan as a long-term fixture in defence but says circumstances mean it could be the best fit for him in 2020.
Hogan is an outside chance to play against Carlton next Saturday, while fit-again veteran Michael Walters is set to replace Travis Colyer (hamstring).
Meanwhile, forward Rory Lobb is set for some extra goalkicking practice at training following the worrying deterioration of his twinkle-toe run-up in recent weeks.
Lobb’s one and only shot in Monday’s 16-point win over Hawthorn sailed out on the full after his stuttering run-up got him noticeably off balance.
“He’s working really hard to limit how much he does stutter in front of goals,” Longmuir said.
“Unfortunately for him it’s coming back on game day. It’s not there during the week. Under pressure it comes back.
“We’ve got a bit work to do with it because it does force him to kick across his body.”
Nick
Roar Guru
Pretty Fremantle thing to do. A team allergic to scoring points. Why score goals when you can put them in defence...
Blitz
Guest
Good move, why not? Everyone needs a purpose and challenge (at the right time) and this may just be what Hogan needs right now and hopefully JL knows what’s best for Jesse first and foremost, at this time. JL also needs time to see what the list he inherited is capable of and mould it in his vision. I have a lot of faith in JL. He did his apprenticeship under Simmo and to a lesser extent Bucks. Freo seems to be in good hands. Keeping Pearce and Tabs on the park is critical. I expect Freo to play finals next year if they can.
Steve J
Roar Guru
Once Pearce, Hamling and Logue are back then Jesse goes forward again. It will be an embarassment of riches to try and fit Lobb, Hogan, Tabs, Hamling, Pearce, Logue and Cox into the same 22.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping as J-Lo says this is only a short term measure whilst we are undermanned down there. His best footy is still as a forward, i'm convinced about that.
Maurice
Guest
Chris Tarrant went back to Collingwood as a defender, would like to see Pearce tried as a forward more when he gets up and running again. Our backline is not too bad.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
The precarious slope of realistation that all defenders must face. The realistation that they aren't good enough to play forward. It's good to see Hogan starting this journey and Longmuir softening the blow by referring to it as 'upskilling'. Great stuff.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Yeah and Jones from Carlton.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Worked very well with Darcy Moore