Fremantle Dockers News

Forgotten forward Des Headland is a chance to play his first match for Fremantle against the Hawks in an elimination final since a knee injury in round four.

"He's been back for probably four weeks and played quite well on the weekend, so we don't think it's a huge risk," Mitchell said.

"We think the risk is probably diminishing [but] it's something we have to take into account that he hasn't played for a while. "

The season's final NAB AFL Rising Star, Fremantle's Anthony Morabito, isn't fazed by the added focus on him going into the finals against Hawthorn.

"Like any game, we really want to go in there and go head to head with them," Morabito said.

"If we play to our strengths we're going to be just as hard to beat as they will be, especially with the crowd behind us here at home."

Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito is the round 22 nominee for the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star award after tallying 18 disposals and kicking a goal in a win against Carlton.

Fremantle's Tim Ruffles has had a full knee reconstruction after being injured against Hawthorn.

Paul Hasleby announces that he will retire at the end of the 2010 season saying the club's young players will hold it in good stead after he leaves.

"When you walk around this football club there is such an abundance of talent and youth all with the 'eye of the tiger' ready to take on the challenge of an AFL career," he said.

"That more than anything probably signified to me that it was time to stand aside for the young guys to come in and do their bit."

Fremantle's Michael Johnson admits he is still working hard to atone for his indiscretion earlier this year.

"I've done a lot around the club since the incident, (but) I've still got to earn my trust," Johnson said.

"That'll come, but I've got to work hard at it over the next couple of seasons. I'm working hard with the club and off field with the family. It's easily my toughest season I've had down at the club with the incident off field."

Leigh Matthews launches a scathing attack on the work ethic of young Docker Stephen Hill while being tagged by Kangaroo Brady Rawlings.

"Confronted with Rawlings as his direct opponent, it appeared that Hill fell for the trap of wanting to get space from his opponent, even when the Kangaroos had the footy," Matthews wrote in his column on the AFL website.

"The result was the most lopsided differential in contribution that I can recall seeing in a one-on-one duel - Rawlings stopped Hill, limiting the Dockers' linkman to a paltry seven disposals, a great result even if Rawlings did not touch the footy.

"That the Kangaroos vice-captain accumulated a game-high 39 disposals, including 30 uncontested gets, was a savage indictment on Hill's competitive mindset."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey says playing with an exciting group should keep Chris Tarrant from wanting to return to Melbourne.

"If you were playing in a fairly exciting young side, and you could read the form, I think that would help with his decision," Harvey said.

"All I know, and it's probably appropriate, is that he loves this place; it's really turned around a lot of things for him."

Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne will not play the rest of the home and away season after being diagnosed with a foot stress reaction.

A medial ligament injury means Fremantle defender Chris Tarrant will miss up to six weeks and will not play again until the finals.

Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne says missing out on two drafts has made him more desperate to produce at the top level.

"I was always hoping I was going to get a chance and I was lucky Freo gave me the chance," Ballantyne said.

"I knew it was going to take a lot of hard work and I was a bit edgy on whether I was going to get picked up. The more you miss the harder you want to work and try get to it."

Michael Barlow is in good spirits and pain free, and will not miss all of 2011 as has been reported by some media outlets.

"From our point of view the feedback we're giving Michael is the feedback our medical people have given him and that's quite positive at this stage," Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

"We're really optimistic from the medical feedback that he'll be back playing good football for us next year. Michael needs to hear that now; he doesn't need to hear any of the negatives."

Teammate Ryan Crowley says Michael Barlow has the character to bounce back from his devastating leg injury.

"Me and Rhys (Palmer) went through a similar thing last year for the majority of the season and it's really tough to go through. Hopefully I can share some of my experience with him and offer a bit of a hand to him," Crowley said.

"I know the character that he's got, he'll come back bigger and better. He works so hard, he's a really good fella and he prepares himself so well, which is why I know he'll come back."

Midfield revelation Michael Barlow's season is over after breaking a leg against Port Adelaide.

"We're going to have to show a resolve amongst the group," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said about the loss of his star midfielder.

"I wouldn't have thought it would stop us from progressing. Football does test you in many ways. It's going to test us in the near future."

Fremantle's Scott Thornton has retired from the AFL after 88 games after suffering a broken leg while playing for South Fremantle.

"Rehab can be a bit draining," he said.

"It can take you to your limits every day. I've been thinking about retiring for a while now. I've only played two-and-a-half WAFL games this year. I just couldn't put my body through another AFL pre-season."

Fremantle's Paul Hasleby is keen to play on beyond this year with the hope of playing more finals.

"Once you get to 29 you're getting watched every game you play," Hasleby said.

"I'm just going to keep putting my best foot forward on and off the field and hopefully at the end of the year the club deems it good for me to go on."

Fremantle footballers Chris Mayne and Clayton Hinkley escaped serious injury after being involved in a car crash in Perth.

"Fortunately, neither Chris nor Clayton was seriously injured and, we are advised, nor were the players at fault in anyway," Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said.

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich says he is not currently focussing on a new deal with the Dockers sitting second on the ladder after 10 rounds.

"We haven't really changed at all from our perspective. We're happy with how its progressing, and so is the club, we'll get to a point some time later in the year," he said regarding the status of his contract negotiations with the club.

"Things are going along nicely at the moment, and we only have to focus on what's important and narrow that focus on each week."

Michael Johnson has been welcomed back at Fremantle by captain Matthew Pavlich after Johnson was suspended due to drug charges.

"It's nice to have him back and we're here to support him," Pavlich said about his teammate.

"He understands he's got a fair bit of work to do both on the track, but certainly off it, to make sure he gains the trust and respect back from the board and [playing] group."

Suspended Fremantle utility Michael Johnson will return to train with the club on Monday.

"Once [the issue] is closed it'll be closed and we'll all be moving on. Michael needs to concentrate on coming back and making sure he contributes to a team that has missed him over the last two weeks," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

Freo coach Mark Harvey has given Kepler Bradley a ringing endorsement after his four-goal performance against North Melbourne.

"He's a good sidekick for Aaron [Sandilands], isn't he?" Harvey said after the game.

"A lot of focus goes on Aaron, but he's part of the show. The way he's playing he is [part of our best side]. We're constantly working on his game and we're starting to see some results of that now."

Police reveal that disgraced Fremantle Docker Michael Johnson has previously been found in possession of ecstasy despite claims by the club that his involvement with cocaine was an isolated incident.

Fremantle's Michael Johnson has appeared in court and been fined $500 for possession of 0.15 grams of cocaine.

Fremantle youngster Nathan Fyfe has earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his two-goal performance against the Sydney Swans and says he has been made to feel welcome at the club by his teammates.

"I look up to the leaders of the club - Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands but for me Paul Duffield and Ryan Murphy have been great mentors and easy to approach guys who I can go and talk to about any issues on field or off field and they've been a big help," he said.

Michael Johnson says he hopes to come away from his club-imposed six-week ban due to drug charges a better player, person and father.

"I am very disappointed in my actions on the weekend and I am working through it with my legal team and the club," Johnson said.

"It has been a tough couple of days for me and my family. I would like to thank everyone out there who have sent their love and support. I really appreciate it.

"I know it is going to be a tough couple of weeks for me but hopefully I can come back to the footy club, become a better person, a better player and a better father to my children."

Fremantle has detailed its sanctions on defender Michael Johnson after he was charged with possession of cocaine.

Johnson has been suspended from training with Fremantle until the end of May, stood down from the club's leadership group and has been ordered to undergo drug counselling.

"We are extremely disappointed that, while under the influence of alcohol, he engaged in public conduct that has resulted in a drug-related police charge," Fremantle chief executive officer Steve Rosich said.

Michael Johnson has been stood down indefinitely by Fremantle as it continues to investigate alleged drug offences in Perth.

"We are very disappointed that Michael placed himself in a situation that allowed these circumstances to arise," Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said.

"Due to the serious nature of the matter and an impending police charge, the club believes that standing Michael down was the appropriate course of action to take at this stage.

"The action taken reflects the serious nature of the situation at hand. It will also allow Michael to focus on all related legal issues and make that his priority."

Fremantle player Michael Johnson is being investigated by WA police on a drug-related offence.

"We are treating it very seriously," Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said in a statement.

"We are currently gathering all relevant information and will make further comment when we are in a position to do so. There will be no comment from the club until that time."

Des Headland's horror AFL injury run has continued with the 29-year-old set to undergo more surgery on his knee that is expected to keep him out until round 15.

Fremantle defender Paul Duffield says Michael Barlow is such a hard worker that the Ross Glendinning Medal for being best on ground against the Eagles is just reward.

"He's had a fantastic start to the year," Duffield said.

"He's a really likeable guy and he's a hard worker and does all the right things. He's really humble with what he's trying to do. He's just trying to fill his role and play for the team (and) he's getting rewards for it."

Michael Barlow continued his stunning emergence by winning WA's Glendinning Medal in Fremantle's derby win against West Coast.

Barlow had 25 disposals and five clearances in just his sixth game for the club.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey won't be drawn on whether Rhys Palmer will come into the side this week after the young midfielder starred in the WAFL since returning from injury.

"You have to be spot on and sharp when you come back into this game because you can't carry guys that are coming back from injury," Harvey said.

"Rhys is a terrific player, he plays with a lot of pride, so it will be hotly debated at selection."

Fremantle's Adam McPhee has responded to his critics after a lackluster start to the season with a 26-possession game against Richmond and a promise that his best form is around the corner.

"I always thought it was going to take a bit of time with the slow preparation and the few injuries I've had," McPhee said.

"But I think I'm slowly getting there and getting used to my teammates and adjusting to the game plan (and) the structures."

Fremantle rookie Michael Barlow's early impression has continued with his commitment to the club until the end of 2012 after he signed a new contract.

"Although Michael is only a few games into his career, we are very positive about his future prospects and his capacity to play a role in our midfield," list manager Brad Lloyd said.

"He's been through a lot of work in terms of our structure, how we want play and our stoppages. We've also worked hard with him on his defensive stuff.

"I think Mick is a bit of a ball-getter, he knows where to go to get the ball and he uses the ball pretty well, he's pretty efficient."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey says Chris Tarrant has become as big an influence in his team as Matthew Scarlett is for the Cats.

"I think you're going to recognise him as one of the best defenders in the competition," Harvey said of Tarrant.

"If you compare it to a side like Geelong, who we play this week, he's probably as important as Scarlett is to Geelong."

Garrick Ibbotson is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder in a marking contest against Essendon.

Bomber Mark McVeigh says he is still disappointed with former teammate Adam McPhee choosing to leave the club for Fremantle.

"I wanted him to be honest with us why he was leaving and he had his reasons," McVeigh said on The Footy Show.

"He's a very big family man and he wanted to look after his family and of course he wanted a three-year deal and he moved on. I was disappointed and so were the players because he was an integral part of our group for a long time."

A lingering ankle injury may prevent Fremantle's Adam McPhee from playing against Essendon, even though he wants to face his former club.

"He's got a passion for the game, a passion for his new team and it's not representative of who we play this week, he just wants to play," Harvey said.

"He's progressing well. I expect him to train tomorrow and be available for selection. That's the unknown quantity at the moment with his injury, but we expect him to train and push strongly."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights says former Bomber Adam McPhee is in line for an 'unfavourable' welcome on Sunday when his new team, Fremantle, take on the Bomers at Etihad Stadium.

"When players leave clubs, often the reception they get when they come back is not very favourable," Knights said.

"It's a man's game and it will all be part of the theatre."

Barlow's debut for Fremantle has been recognised with an amazing nine votes in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year.

Barlow received nine of a possible 10 votes from coaches Mark Harvey and Neil Craig for his record-breaking 33-possession performance in Fremantle's win over Adelaide.

Michael Barlow stole the show as Fremantle opened its 2010 campaign with a convincing win over Adelaide.

Barlow finished the game with 33 disposals and two goals, beating Bradd Dalziell's record of 32 possessions on debut since Champion Data began recording statistics in 1992.

Fremantle rookies Jay van Berlo and Alex Silvagni have been elevated into the senior side along with VFL recruit Michael Barlow ahead of their round one clash against Adelaide.

Fremantle midfiielder Rhys Palmer is confident he can recapture the running skills that helped him win the 2008 NAB AFL Rising Star after having to undergo a knee reconstruction last year.

"I guess this week we'll get a gauge on where that's at, but I'm pretty confident it'll be back up to scratch, if not even better," Palmer said.

"It's hard to judge when you're running circles around an oval or running 150s. (But) I've done all the training and I've ticked all the boxes. I'm feeling good as well and I'm really confident in the knee and the body. I think I'm ready to go."

Fremantle has elevated former VFL player Michael Barlow onto its senior list as seven clubs announced their nominated rookies eligible for senior action.

"Coming in the back way into the AFL system I've trained at two other clubs, St Kilda at the end of 2007 and Essendon this year," Barlow said.

"I really drew a lot of good experiences from them and it's what I've wanted to do ever since I trained at St Kilda. Now that I'm here I'm going to make the most of it."

Former Fremantle midfielder Andrew Browne has taken a claim to the AFL grievance tribunal over the depression that ended his career.

"Dealing with him individually was really important to me and we caught up quite a bit through the year and assisted him as best as possible, and so did the club, on various occasions," Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich said of his ex-teammate.

"To see a player who was really popular around the group, to see him go through what he did last year, and I guess throughout his whole career with injuries and what not, was difficult.

"But from my perspective it was all about support and helping him through it."

Fremantle defender Chris Tarrant says he will approach this season's campaign as though it is his last.

"When you're coming towards the end of your career, you just try to play every season as thought it's your last," he said.

"One serious injury for guys my age and it's over, so I'm preparing and taking every game like it could be my last."

Dean Solomon was given no choice but to leave the game after doctors told him he had "zero per cent" chance of playing on.

"I've seen two surgeons in the last week and the outlook they've given me is I have zero per cent chance of playing football again," Solomon said.

"Unfortunately, with that advice, I had no choice."

One of the hard men of football, Freo's Dean Solomon, has played his last game after a serious knee injury forced his retirement.

"Dean has exhausted all avenues of treatment, and such was the condition of his knee that the specialist's advice was that he should not play another game," club football operations manager Chris Bond said

Fremantle's Luke McPharlin hopes that playing as a defender in tandem with teammate Chris Tarrant in 2010 will help him revisit his best form of 2007 and 2008.

"I don't rule out playing a bit of a swingman role through the year, but I think I've played my best football in defence and I look forward to returning there," McPharlin said.

"I'm looking forward to playing with Tarrant. It's something I've wanted to do for a while and I think it'll hopefully be a pretty good partnership."

Stephen Hill and his second-year teammates have hit the gym with the aim to be bigger and stronger in 2010.

"Over the break they came back earlier and part of the plan was to put a bit of weight on most of those first-year [players] last year," assistant coach Dean Wallis said.

"They did that over a period of probably six to eight weeks and then we got a lot of running into them."

New Fremantle recruit Adam McPhee says he returned to his first AFL club so he could play through the midfield and not because of a more lucrative three-year deal.

"In some ways we all have a little bit of ego that we'd like to fulfil and part of that is being able to prove to myself that I can play through the midfield before my career is over," McPhee said.

"The third year is obviously a bonus, but it's not the main reason why I'm here - I'm not chasing the money. It's more about how I can get the best out of myself as a footballer."

Fremantle defender Michael Johnson says his hard work off the field this year has brought leadership rewards.

"Being out for most of the season with the ankle injury, I wanted to prove something this year," Johnson said.

"I really worked hard in rehab, so I guess my teammates saw me as a leader there, working hard in the gym and trying to get my ankle right."

David Mundy, Michael Johnson and Paul Duffield have joined Fremantle's group of leaders.

"The three players joining the leadership group are mid-tier players who are evolving and will need to put their own stamp on the leadership group," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

"With an increase in responsibility, you like to see enhanced performance from your leaders and the ability to handle pressure when a game is in the balance."

Fremantle's Des Headland believes he is on track for an injury-free season in 2010 after managing just 15 games in his last two seasons due to a string of knee, calf, quad and hamstring injuries.

"I've had a lot of setbacks the last few years and I just want to make sure I get through to Christmas," he said.

"There's only a week and a bit to go before we finish up. After Christmas, if I can get over January when the games start coming in, I believe I can get through the whole year."

Aaron Sandilands, who is contracted for the 2010 season, agrees to terms with Fremantle until the end of the 2013 season.

"I've always been really grateful for the opportunity Fremantle gave me to play the game at this level and now is a really exciting time to be at the club," he said.

Fremantle has emerged from Thursday's NAB AFL Draft with a pair of key position prospects the club says it has long sought after picking up Nathan Fyfe with pick No.20 and Joel Houghton with No.36.

"We definitely had Fyfe marked for pick 20, and with Joel we were always going to draft him, it was just a matter of working out which pick we needed to use to get him to the club," Fremantle national recruiting manager Brad Lloyd said.

"In the end we decided to use 36, just to make sure we were able to secure him. You're just always hopeful that a player you rank highly will still be there, so we were really happy to secure Joel."

Justin Longmuir has been appointed to a ruck and development coaching role with his former club Fremantle.

"In addition to his responsibilities as ruck coach, Justin will undertake a development role with our key position players," General manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

"He is a welcome addition to our coaching team and is ideally positioned to perform in this role."

Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond says the club will do all it can to secure the services of Adam McPhee.

"It would be a great coup for this club if we were able to secure him during the pre-season draft," Bond said.

"We have been speaking to Adam and his management quite closely. We think he'd be able to complement our list very well."

Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley has put a serious foot injury behind him to lead his teammates in their pre-season time trials.

"Probably the last month I've been fully up and going, I've been able to go at 100 per cent. It's been slow increments over the last couple of months," Crowley said.

"The foot's fantastic. I couldn't be more happy with it."

Fremantle defender Steven Dodd is set to miss up to half of the 2010 season after undergoing major reconstructions on his right shoulder and wrist.

"His wrist was a similar surgery to what Hayden Ballantyne had last year and because they take a bone graft out of the hip and place it in the wrist it does take some time," Fremantle sports science manager Jason Weber said.

Geelong recruit Marcus Drum is convinced the time had come for him to leave Fremantle.

"My thoughts, sort of towards the end of the year, were that I'd given it all I could at Freo and I just wasn't getting the opportunity that I wanted," Drum said.

"I thought I needed a fresh start and a move closer to home to sort of rejuvenate me, so I could get the opportunities that I'd been looking for."

Heath Black says since retiring his life has spiralled out of control due to problems with alcohol.

''I am getting myself into trouble and in Perth it is a very one-degree-of-separation town. I can't continue this way," Black said.

''Once I finished going through divorce and retirement very close together, I just had too much time on my hands.

''The job I had in property development and the work I had at Seven was only about eight hours a week, I just had too much time to think and get on the turps.

''I go to the gym religiously every morning, but by about 1pm all my chores were done and work was done - and I would just open up the fridge and grab a stubby. That is the way it has been for eight months.''

Marcus Drum senses there are good things to come at his new club Geelong after being traded from Fremantle.

"Already I feel a sense of complete determination, like that passion is back, and I am so excited I just can't wait to get out there and train," Drum said.

"The perception is it is a really strong club and that certainly came through when I spoke to them.

"They said how desperate they were to get me, how strong the leadership group was and how the team only wanted players who were prepared to work hard and play for the love of the jumper."

Aaron Sandilands was presented with his first John Doig Medal on Friday night as Fremantle's best and fairest.

"I'm hoping to keep improving and I hope that we have success in the near future, because my football career's on the downward spiral now and there's probably not much of a window of opportunity," Sandilands said.

Geelong trades its second round pick (No. 28) to Fremantle for Marcus Drum.

"He has played some good games at Fremantle and we feel that his best football is still ahead of him," Geelong football operations manager Neil Balme said of Drum.

"He was a top 10 draft pick just four years ago, and has talent and a good work ethic, and sees the opportunity to play as the most important thing given our tight salary structure."

Midfielder Brett Peake will play for St Kilda in 2010 after the two clubs confirmed a deal on Wednesday.

Peake was exchanged from Fremantle using the Saints' third round pick at no. 48 in the coming draft.

"We are delighted to have secured the services of Brett Peake from the Dockers," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.

"He comes from a great football pedigree and has proven himself as a ball-winner and versatile player since debuting in 2005.

"He is a quick player who loves to run and carry the ball and we think he will be a valued addition to the St Kilda midfield."

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey says his club may look to move Brett Peake to St Kilda and Marcus Drum to Geelong or Hawthorn in next week's exchange period.

"We've got a couple of other players there who are going to move on in Peake and Drum," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

"We'll probably concentrate on those two guys and see what happens. It depends on the fallout of other clubs and what those clubs throw up from a playing aspect that we might be interested in."

Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands says being elevated into the club's leadership group in 2009 has helped his football.

""I've enjoyed the role I've been in and hopefully I can keep improving in that area," Sandilands said.

"It takes a few years to learn the caper and learn where to run and to actually get your fitness level at a good standard to be able to do it for longer periods of time."

Stephen Hill and Greg Broughton will stay with Fremantle until 2012 and 2011 respectively after signing new contracts.

"They both impressed with the way they went about their football in their debut seasons," General manager of player management Brad Lloyd said.

"We see Stephen and Greg as being long-term players for the club."

Paul Hasleby will remain with Fremantle for an 11th season after agreeing to terms on Thursday morning.

"I'll be starting pre-season training in early November and I'm excited about playing my 11th season with Fremantle," he said.

"Along with all the senior players, I've really enjoyed working with our young playing group. There is a lot to like about the future of the Fremantle Football Club and I'm very keen to be a part of that."

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich reaffirms his commitment to the Dockers despite being likely to be offered several lucrative deals when he comes out of contract next year.

"I'm contracted for another 15 months and I'm very confident that I will continue my career at Fremantle after that," Pavlich said.

"I get so focused in the process of week to week and seeing our younger players developing further and, for me, it's very much about that core focus of that particular time.

"So it's hard for me to think big picture and commit to long-term outcome-based thinking. That's just how I operate."

Six players have left Fremantle following the end of their 2009 season.

Andrew Browne has retired, while the Dockers have delisted Adam Campbell, Daniel Gilmore and Josh Head along with rookie-listed players Brent Connelly and Luke Pratt.