Fremantle's Liam Reidy on being the forgotten man in the Dockers' ruck dilemma

West Australian

4 hours ago

Fremantle's Liam Reidy has conceded the success of ruckmen who have thrived at a second club does cross his mind as he battles to get a game ahead of stars Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy.
Reidy is almost the forgotten man in the debate which surrounds the Dockers' ruck stocks, with persistent talks around the validity of coach Justin Longmuir playing both Jackson and Darcy in the same team.
The 204cm mature-age rookie has played only three AFL games in three seasons and is unlikely to add to that this year unless either of the big men ahead of him in the pecking order are injured.
This is despite Reidy's solid form in the WAFL for Peel Thunder, where he averages 42 hit-outs and 14 disposals.
Reidy is arguably following a similar path to former Docker Lloyd Meek, who managed only 15 games in five seasons at the harbour club before he was traded to Hawthorn, where he has become one of the game's best tap-men.
When asked if he looks at the success of Collingwood's Darcy Cameron and Meek as examples of ruckmen who have starred at their second clubs, Reidy said: 'You kind of think about that when you're not getting an opportunity.
'But I am at Freo at the moment and the rest of the year, so I am just worried about putting my best foot forward every week and playing some good footy. The rest will take care of itself.'
Reid hasn't played for Fremantle since the disappointing round one defeat to Geelong, but he hasn't given up hope off suiting up again.
'I want to be playing at the top level, but I know the two boys ahead of me are pretty solid players as well,' he said.
'I am just trying to get better and keep developing myself, speaking to the line coaches, the ruck coach as well and continuing to get better every week.
'I keep it pretty week to week. I've got the things I need to work on, so I'll just jeep on doing that and bringing my strengths every week and stacking up good performances and keep on moving forward. I don't look too long-term at all.'
Reidy said he looked up to North Melbourne counterpart Tristan Xerri as well as Melbourne captain Max Gawn, who taught him a lesson during a pre-season game in Mandurah this year.
'You learn a lot. Those blokes are so smart, and the ruck is a chess battle really,' he said.
'He's done it so many times at the top level, so after that you learn a lot once you dissect it and go through the film. He taught me a few things, that's for sure.'