Latest news with #Walyalup
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Dockers coach sees ruck conundrum as a good thing
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has a big rucking problem - but he can't understand why everyone is such a downer about it. The Dockers have been heavily criticised over the past two years for apportioning such a significant chunk of their salary cap on two ruckmen - Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson. The issue is again a hot talking point following Darcy's recent knee injury and the way Jackson has thrived as the lead ruckman in his teammate's absence. Put simply, Jackson plays his best football when he leads the ruck, and it's the position he enjoys the most. The former Demon has been cast mainly as a key forward in the games Darcy has been fit to play, but Jackson has become increasingly vocal about his love for the lead ruck role. Darcy is an out-and-out ruckman who has never kicked more than 12 goals in a season. Rumours are still circling that Jackson could request a trade back to Melbourne at the end of the season. That would be disastrous for Fremantle, given Darcy's injury history over recent years and form struggles this season. Darcy has missed the past two weeks with a jarred knee - and Fremantle have posted convincing wins over GWS and Port Adelaide in that period. Jackson starred in both of those games, and he was arguably best afield against Port Adelaide with 38 hit-outs, 21 disposals, eight clearances, one goal and a goal assist. drop punt from there is absolutely wild.#KalyakoorlWalyalup #AFLFreoPower — Walyalup Football Club (@freodockers) May 24, 2025 Darcy is expected to be passed fit to return for Saturday's crunch clash with high-flying Gold Coast at People First Stadium. With the Suns boasting star ruckman Jarrod Witts, the inclusion of Darcy could prove handy. But would it hinder Jackson's game? Many pundits think so. And would opting for two ruckmen give Jackson further fuel to seek a trade away from Fremantle? These are key questions Longmuir will have to answer, but the sixth-year coach sees having two classy ruckmen up his sleeve as a huge positive. "To have two players who are really good at their position - I see it as a good problem," Longmuir said. "Everyone else sees it as a bad problem, but I'd see it as a good problem. "Jacko has got flexibility to play other positions. There's other ways we can get him around the footy. "And Sean's proven over the course of a long time that he's one of the best rucks in the comp against some of the bigger bodies, especially the big-bodied ruckmen. "So it's a good problem to have." Given Darcy's lack of pre-season following ankle and knee issues, Longmuir may opt to bring back the 26-year-old via the WAFL. The Dockers (6-5) need to find a replacement for rebounding defender Cooper Simpson, who injured his AC joint in the win over Port.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Cooper Simpson: Walyalup (Fremantle) Dockers youngster makes early exit from Power clash with shoulder injury
Cooper Simpson's night against Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) lasted mere minutes, with the Walyalup (Fremantle) youngster subbed out in the early stages after copping a brutal bump. Simpson put his body on the line by getting down low and bracing for contact from Power defender Logan Evans, but came off second-best as the bodies collided. WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE The 20-year-old immediately came from the field, cradling his left arm, and walked straight down to the rooms. Bailey Banfield was substituted into the contest within minutes. 'That looks like a bad AC (joint). Not great,' Fox Footy analyst Matthew Pavlich said. Simpson was making just his third appearance of the season - and fifth in total - having shown impressing early signs in his new role as a rebounding defender. The Dockers steadied late in the term after giving up three of the game's first four goals, with majors to Murphy Reid and Isaiah Dudley helping Freo to a 3.3 (21) to 3.1 (19) advantage in wet conditions at Optus Stadium.
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
WATCH: Young Docker subbed out early after brutal bump
Cooper Simpson's night against Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) lasted mere minutes, with the Walyalup (Fremantle) youngster subbed out in the early stages after copping a brutal bump. Simpson put his body on the line by getting down low and bracing for contact from Power defender Logan Evans, but came off second-best as the bodies collided. WATCH THE INCIDENT IN THE PLAYER ABOVE The 20-year-old immediately came from the field, cradling his left arm, and walked straight down to the rooms. Bailey Banfield was substituted into the contest within minutes. 'That looks like a bad AC (joint). Not great,' Fox Footy analyst Matthew Pavlich said. Simpson was making just his third appearance of the season - and fifth in total - having shown impressing early signs in his new role as a rebounding defender. The Dockers steadied late in the term after giving up three of the game's first four goals, with majors to Murphy Reid and Isaiah Dudley helping Freo to a 3.3 (21) to 3.1 (19) advantage in wet conditions at Optus Stadium.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
LIVE UPDATES: Walyalup (Fremantle) tackle Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) at Optus Stadium
A brilliant road win last weekend has Walyalup (Fremantle) on track to regain a spot in the eight with a victory over Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) at Optus Stadium. The Dockers remain unchanged from the win against GWS and will hope to take advantage of a Port side that sits 14th on the ladder. Follow all the action in our live blog. Ever wondered how an AFL team killed time before warm-ups? Well look no further. Shai putting in a late bid for the World Test Championship Final squad. Bailey Banfield will be the Dockers' sub for the second week running. It's a frigid night in Perth as winter finally arrives but Walyalup will be looking to bring the heat they used to take down the Giants last week. The team remains unchanged and with the Power in questionable form, this could be a chance for the Dockers to be ruthless and grab a big win. The Whiz Jeff Farmer is in the house tonight as well and will be tossing the coin!
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
The Wiz to toss the coin for Sir Doug Nicholls clash
Walyalup (Fremantle) legend Jeff Farmer will make his return to the field later tonight with the Dockers inviting him to toss the coin ahead of their Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) clash. The small forward, who played 269 games and kicked 537 goals across stints at Melbourne and Walyalup has been heavily involved in this year's clash, having designed the jumpers for Sir Doug Nicholls round along with his Father Jeff Farmer Snr, Mother Iris and in collaboration with Roger Hayden. 'To put something out there that, year to year, generation to generation, our family can see and hear - this story that ties my life, my footy life and then obviously the combination of being able to play at Fremantle,' Farmer told the club's website last week. He even signed some of the jumpers after visiting the club earlier this week to give them a rev up ahead of the crucial clash, which could see the Dockers re-enter the top eight. Indigenous star Michael Walters was on hand to present the coin to Farmer. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. 'Obviously it's a big game on the weekend, so I want to know if you'll do the honours of tossing the coming on the weekend,' he said. 'The jumpers yours, but you played a big part in the AFL and a big part here at the Fremantle footy club and we want to know if you'll do the honours of tossing the coin?' Farmer said he was honoured to be asked and said he was optimistic this season could be something special for the Dockers despite an up and down start to the year. 'I would love to, I absolutely love the football club. The great thing about this football club is the way they continually reach out to me and make me feel a part of it even though I left a long time ago,' he said. 'Thank you very much, hopefully I get the opportunity to see the Premiership come home later this year.'
