FREMANTLE coach Justin Longmuir appears committed to playing a young midfield in 2020 after giving Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra a mortgage on the centre square in Friday's intraclub hitout.
And prized draftee Caleb Serong could join them as early as round one after an eye-catching display as the Dockers put their troops through a four-quarter hitout at their Cockburn base.
Brayshaw and Cerra attended almost every centre bounce on Friday, often alongside skipper Nat Fyfe or Michael Walters, in what was a clear 'A' team.
The third-year pair were steady in their roles, while Fyfe dominated switching between the midfield and goalsquare with All-Australian teammate Walters.
Serong lined up in the 'B' team, also attending most centre bounces and winning plenty of clearances as he showed off his clean hands and ability to hit contests at speed and emerge with the ball.
Football manager Peter Bell, speaking after the hitout, said Serong reminded him of former Docker Lachie Neale and the 19-year-old had put his best foot forward.
The Dockers also appear set to start the Marsh Community Series with recruits James Aish and Blake Acres on their wings.
Acres was the dominant player on the ground in the first half and appears to have added size in his first pre-season with the Dockers, giving Longmuir another inside midfield option.
Acres deliveres long inside 50 for Lobb to gather and goal.
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) February 21, 2020
Acres has been everywhere so far.#FreoIntraclub #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/9QXHETCil8
The former Saint was switched to the 'B' team in the second half, lining up on Aish. Brett Bewley, Cam McCarthy and Minairo Frederick were others to line up on the wings.
Frederick, who has enjoyed an eye-catching pre-season after joining the Dockers with pick No.61 in the NAB AFL Draft, provided a highlight when he converted on the run from 45m after bursting from a pack. He lined up on the 'B' team.
The Dockers' best available back six is taking shape as they cover serious ankle injuries to key talls Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling. Griffin Logue was a standout as a key defender alongside former tall forward Brennan Cox.
They were supported by Luke Ryan, Taylin Duman, Reece Conca and Stephen Hill in the 'A' team back six, with Hill in excellent form rebounding off half-back.
Prized draftee Hayden Young did not play after completing a solid first summer, with Bell hopeful he would receive an opportunity early in the season.
"If not in the Marsh Series, I know that with what he's done so far he's put himself in a position where potentially there will be an opportunity early," Bell said.
PRE-SEASON FIXTURE Check out your team's Marsh Community Series games
With Sean Darcy (shoulder) and Lloyd Meek (foot) unavailable, the Dockers used assistant coach David Hale in the ruck again on Friday.
The decision underlined their commitment to playing Rory Lobb as a permanent tall forward this season, with the former Greater Western Sydney tall impressive as a marking option.
Bell said Darcy and Meek had completed a competitive training session on Friday morning and Darcy would be available for the opening Marsh Series game against Carlton on February 29.
Tall forward Matt Taberner left the field late in the fourth quarter, but Bell said he had suffered cramp and was taken from the game as a precaution.
Tabs has been clunking them all over the ground#FreoIntraclub #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/doU6yehQEB
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) February 21, 2020
Second-year Docker Sam Sturt, who didn't debut in 2019, was moved into the 'A' team after half-time and had some good moments playing as a deep forward.
Saw one quarter of @WestCoastEagles intra-club this morning before it was closed to media. Quick notes:
— Nathan Schmook (@NathanSchmook) February 21, 2020
- Brander look very strong on a wing. Pushed forward for a goal.
- Williams is a good option as second ruck, getting first hands often against Naitanui.
- No Yeo. Ran laps.