Fremantle’s mid-season AFL surge has hit a speed bump, with forward Michael Frederick to serve a one-game club suspension for breaking a team rule on drinking.
The 22-year-old will miss Saturday’s home game against Hawthorn and also not play in the WAFL.
The Dockers announced on Tuesday that Frederick drank alcohol after Sunday’s win over Brisbane and this went against team standards, given they have a six-day break to the Hawthorn game.
Fremantle said the decision was made after consulting the team’s leadership group.
“Michael is remorseful and makes no excuses for his actions,” said Dockers football boss Peter Bell.
“The club is proud of the culture it has built in recent years and that is mainly due to the strong commitment to the trademark that the players and staff adhere to every day.”
He added Fremantle would continue to support Fredericks so he makes better decisions.
“Michael is an outstanding young man who has made an error, but we are really confident that he will learn from this experience,” Bell said.
“We look forward to a demonstration of his commitment to our trademark moving forwards.”
Frederick has played 28 games since his 2020 debut, including 11 this season.
He kicked three goals in the win over the Lions, which left Fremantle third on the ladder with a 9-3 record.
Earlier on Tuesday, Melbourne also suspended premiership key defender Steven May for one game.
May has apologised for an alcohol-fuelled scuffle with teammate Jake Melksham.
The Demons suspended him for drinking while in the AFL’s concussion protocols.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Well . . . not quite zero reaction. Yeah?
Ben
Guest
I'm going through a rough time at home and just want some attention, ok?
Marty
Roar Rookie
Serious question - Is there anything more embarrassing in the online world than trying to troll and getting zero reaction? How does it feel champ, I’m genuinely interested?
Alchemist
Roar Rookie
Timing is everything too. If this happens with Frederick after the Collingwood game then the media jump on and it's wheels falling off at Freo.
dab
Roar Rookie
Yes. There is much to thankful for.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
It's enough to drive one to drink
Ben
Guest
Punish the black guy for what all the white guys do.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
The no drinking on a 6-day break policy and the one match suspension come from team rules set and agreed to by the playing group, with the club's backing. The policy has been in place for at least 4 years (i.e. before JL), with Ryan and Cox receiving similar suspensions back in 2017 (i.e. under Lyon). "Culture" is one of those things spuriously called on as evidence in support of preconceived and often really simplistic narratives (E.g. Ross Lyon is a bad coach, and all that bad "culture" is evidence of it. Hooray, Longmuire has replaced Lyon, and look at the great "culture" has established). Not saying Longmuire hasn't been good for "culture", nor that Lyon was a better coach. I'm not that invested in that debate, other than finding it tedious that it keeps getting rehashed. Though in this instance, I'm the one who's brought it up so maybe I'm more invested than I like to think ...
DingoGray
Roar Guru
JL is got a good thing happening in Freo! Keeping everyone accountable. An organisation doing everything to get to the next level. Well done Freo
Macca
Roar Rookie
Especially with his history
Johnno
Roar Rookie
I was thinking the same……….I would think May’s drinking which is banned when of for concussion is way more serious.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Frederick drinks on a 6 game break, first offence, Freo hit him with a 1 game ban. May, drink while injured (3rd offence) and get in a fight in the street with his team mate, Melbounre hit him with a 1 game ban. Clear to see which team has the stronger culture.