FREMANTLE midfielder Lachie Neale has avoided serious injury after an incident at training on Friday sparked concern.
Neale was reportedly carried from the field during the Dockers’ intra-club match and wasn’t able to put any weight on his knee.
However, Fremantle assistant coach Mark Stone confirmed Dockers fans didn’t need to be worried.
“It was just a bit of a knee-on-knee collision, but he’s fine,” Stone told the club's website.
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The 22-year-old was an integral part of the Fremantle midfield last season and led his club in disposals in a year the Dockers made the preliminary final.
Neale was originally selected at No.58 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.
The knock happened during a 90-minute game simulation session, which Stone said was effectively an intra-club match.
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In a sign of a more versatile Dockers outfit in 2016, Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne both rotated through the midfield. Walters kicked 44 goals last year to be his club’s leading goalkicker while Ballantyne was named All Australian as a small forward in 2014.
“I think it helps them [Walters and Ballantyne] essentially, because it’s harder for defenders to sit on them,” Stone said.
“It adds to the flexibility of both groups – midfield and forward.”
Reigning Brownlow medallist Nathan Fyfe played up forward and kicked two goals, showing his intent to deliver on his post-season promise to boost his output in attack.
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“Nathan is very strong overhead and has natural abilities as a forward,” Stone said.
“He played forward as a young kid, he likes it down there as a spell from the midfield.
“He provides us with another marking dimension.”
Nat Fyfe hits a contest hard on Friday. Picture: fremantlefc.com.au
Hayden Ballantyne looks for an option.Picture: fremantlefc.com.au
Lachie Weller wraps up Connor Blakely. Picture: fremantlefc.com.au
