Latest news with #NeilErasmus
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
The three things Freo and Eagles MUST get out of the derby
FLAGMANTLE IS OFFICIALLY BACK!!!!!!! Saturday's western derby is about more than the four points as Fremantle continue their quest to finish as high up on the ladder as possible and West Coast hope to make major advances in their re-build. Here's three things both teams will be looking for when the ball is bounced. FREMANTLE Get percentage: Fremantle have done a brilliant job to set up their season and become a genuine top-four contender by winning eight of their past nine games. But now they have to seize upon their chance to build percentage because that's where they're vulnerable on the ladder. The Dockers' percentage is 108.9, which is clearly the lowest of the top nine clubs. Fremantle are still paying the price for the 78-point loss to Geelong in round one and the 61-point mid-season mauling from St Kilda. This is an opportunity to make a gigantic gain. Adelaide beat West Coast by 66 points. Gold Coast won by 87 points. GWS got two cracks at West Coast and walked away with 81 and 59-point victories. Hawthorn won by 50 points. Other finalists have grabbed their opportunity. The Eagles have averaged 55 points per game across their past six matches. If Fremantle restrict them to that score and win by 10 goals, their percentage will rise to 112.7. But if they only win by five goals, that percentage will be 110.3. It's a big difference. Fremantle sing the song after beating Collingwood. Credit: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images Get Hayden Young firing: It took just over one quarter last week for Dockers fans to get the perfect reminder of how important Hayden Young is to the team. He came on as the sub against Collingwood and ripped them apart with his kicking. An elite midfield kick was the missing piece to the Fremantle puzzle. The more game time Young can build, the more they can get the ball into his hands and the more they can work out the best way to use his skills, the better this team can become. Remember, he's barely played with Shai Bolton. We've rarely seen him kicking to the three-pronged forward line of Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Pat Voss. Every minute matters when building chemistry. Fremantle star Hayden Young. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images Depth guys cement their spots: Fremantle have been winning while key players have been unavailable. But their injury list is shrinking and coach Justin Longmuir will soon have a big list of stars to choose from. Once Alex Pearce, Nat Fyfe, Matthew Johnson, Corey Wagner and Cooper Simpson are available, Fremantle will have immense depth. Nobody wants to be the guy standing up when the game of musical chairs ends. Josh Draper, Brandon Walker and Jeremy Sharp are Fremantle's emergencies for the derby. Isaiah Dudley and Neil Erasmus have just come into the team. It's getting damn hard to get a game each week. Neil Erasmus is back. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images WEST COAST Harley Show: All eyes will be on Harley Reid this week. They're on him most of the time anyway. But when his manager flew into town to ask for a record-breaking contract, the focus on the 2023 No.1 draft pick rose even further. Reid was brilliant in the first half against Richmond last week. If he can produce a game like he did in the first derby of 2024, then the pressure will mount on the Eagles to give him that massive deal. If he has a quiet afternoon, the pressure will turn to Harley and questions will be asked about why he's asking for so much. There's no middle ground when it comes to big contracts. Eagles fans are partly living in the now and partly living in the future because that's the life of a re-building team. So they want to be entertained, inspired and given hope that they can rise up the ladder. Harley Reid is their beacon of hope. Harley Reid celebrates. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian Find a player on the big stage: There's a big difference between standing up in a regular home-and-away game and performing well in a derby. There will be more than 50,000 fans at the game and the only time the Eagles have seen that size crowd this year was during their home derby. This time they'll be mainly wearing purple. Several of West Coast's youngsters have had breakout moments this season. Think of Jobe Shanahan against Collingwood, Tom McCarthy against Carlton and Elijah Hewett against Essendon. But a derby is different. If you can stand up when the derby spotlight is shining, you are putting a stake in the ground for your future. Elijah Hewett in action. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images Perform in Perth: West Coast's last three games at Optus Stadium have been appalling. They trailed by 39 points at quarter-time against Carlton and coach Andrew McQualter called them pathetic. They turned a 57-point deficit into a 34-point loss that night. Then the Eagles got demolished by 59 points against Greater Western Sydney. That was ugly. Last week, fans went to Optus Stadium with hope and walked away shattered when West Coast lost to Richmond by 49 points. It'll be a pro-Freo crowd, but the Eagles fans who manage to get tickets can't afford a repeat of those types of efforts.
West Australian
23-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Western Bulldogs watching Fremantle Dockers midfielder Neil Erasmus ahead of trade period
The Western Bulldogs are the latest club keeping a close eye on out-of-favour Fremantle midfielder Neil Erasmus. According to a report, the Bulldogs have interest in the fourth-year midfielder, who has played 10 times for the Dockers this season. Channel 7's Ryan Daniels revealed last month West Coast are watching the Subiaco product's progress. He has played 33 matches for the Dockers since debuting in 2022 but has slipped down in the pecking order behind draft mate Matt Johnson and other midfielders, including Jaeger O'Meara and Nathan O'Driscoll in recent weeks. The 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season. According to the Dockers are working to have the midfielder extend his time at the club, but it is understood Erasmus will weigh up opportunity as a major factor in his decision. The Bulldogs this week announced star Marcus Bontempelli has inked a four-year extension, but ageing midfielders Tom Liberatore and Adam Treloar could be close to the end of their careers. Erasmus is a chance to return to the side for Saturday afternoon's western derby clash with the Eagles. Fremantle will weigh him up as a replacement for Johnson, who injured his ankle in Sunday's dramatic win over Collingwood. Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty confirmed he was in the mix after collecting 21 disposals in Peel Thunder's loss to East Fremantle on Saturday. 'There's obviously a number of ways we can structure up the midfield team and allocate some flexibility,' he told SEN. 'Whether that's a Neil Erasmus coming in or Jeremy Sharp, Isaiah Dudley had a strong game. 'He can look to go forward and that can free up some of our forwards to spend some time around the ball. 'There's just a number of ways we can look to have some flexibility in our team.' Erasmus has not played in either of the Dockers' two wins over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium or Collingwood at the MCG. The Subiaco product made the intriguing move to sell a range of his match-worn Fremantle and Thunder merchandise, including the jumper he wore during his Simpson Medal-winning performance in last year's WAFL grand final.
7NEWS
23-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Fremantle young gun Neil Erasmus puts prized memorabilia up for sale
Fremantle midfielder Neil Erasmus is selling some of his club memorabilia amid an uncertain future at the Dockers. The 21-year-old is selling several of his match-worn jumpers, including the Peel Thunder one he wore during last year's WAFL grand final when he won the Simpson Medal for best on ground. The collection, sold through a third party on Facebook, features three retro Fremantle jumpers, a regular home jumper, as well as the Peel one. The retro jumpers have been listed for $400 and $500, while the Peel one, which clearly hasn't been washed, just says 'taking offers'. Erasmus inspired Peel to grand final glory in the jumper, collecting 26 disposals, laying 11 tackles and kicking two goals in the 33-point win over East Perth. There are also six pairs of boots and all items are signed by Erasmus. It comes after 7NEWS Perth reporter Ryan Daniels revealed Erasmus is being targeted by rival clubs, including West Coast. Taken with pick No.10 in the 2021 AFL draft, Erasmus has been in and out of the Fremantle senior side and is out of contract at the end of the season. But he has played the past six matches, including last week against Essendon when he had a career-high seven clearances, as well as 26 touches. It is believed Erasmus wants to re-sign at the Dockers — who are expected to table a multi-year deal — despite struggling to cement a regular spot in their best 23. Erasmus is reported to be at the top of the Eagles' wish list with Sydney's Angus Sheldrick and out-of-favour North Melbourne midfielder Will Phillips also on their radar. Victorian clubs are also believed to be interested in the strong midfielder if he does decide to part ways with the Dockers for more opportunities.
West Australian
22-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle midfielder Neil Erasmus selling several worn guernseys including Peel Thunder jumper
Fremantle midfielder Neil Erasmus is selling several of his player-worn guernseys, including the Peel Thunder one he wore in his Simpson Medal-winning performance last year as his future remains unclear. Erasmus, 21, is selling several signed guernseys through a third party on a Facebook group with some going for as much as $500 as well as several pair of boots. It comes after Channel 7's Ryan Daniels reported that Erasmus is being targeted by cross-town rivals West Coast, with his contract at the Dockers to expire at the end of the season. Amongst the collection is the No.19 guernsey Erasmus wore in the Thunder's 2024 grand final victory over East Perth at Optus Stadium last year. The midfielder was named best-on-ground in the game and awarded the Simpson Medal after collecting 26 disposals, laying 11 tackles and kicking two second quarter goals in the 33-point win against the Royals. 'It's been a long year, but it's been such a good one. It probably hasn't gone the way I wanted it, but what a way to finish,' Erasmus said after winning the medal. 'It's sticking to the process and controlling what I can control, and I'm proud of the way I did that this year.' Erasmus is 'taking offers' for the piece of Peel memorabilia that has clearly not been washed by the photos posted. The Subiaco product has played the past six games for the Dockers, including an impressive outing in the win over Essendon on Thursday night when he recorded a career-high seven clearances as well as 21 touches. It is believed Erasmus wants to re-sign at the Dockers — who are expected to table a multi-year deal — despite struggling to cement a regular spot in their best 23 after being drafted with pick No.10 in 2021, playing only 31 games. Erasmus is reported to be at the top of the Eagles' wish list with Sydney's Angus Sheldrick and out-of-favour North Melbourne midfielder Will Phillips also on their radar. Victorian clubs are also believed to be interested in the strong midfielder if he does decide to part ways with the Dockers for more opportunities.
