The perks to returning home can come in all shapes and sizes.
And for new signing Joel Hamling, it’s a rather cute one.
Hamling introduced the world to his family’s new puppy on Instagram late last year, and the collective hearts of the football community melted.
“She’s a bulldog cross staffie, her names Roxy and is about two months old,” said Hamling about the new pup.
While Hamling may have needed some new footwear over Christmas, he’s not one to focus on the downside.
“I’ve probably lost about nine pairs of thongs now, she’s eaten them all so it’s going well!” Hamling said.
“It’s just good to get home to a dog which can help take my mind of football.”
“And to be back here with family and friends and back to Freo as well…it’s good to come back to the west and play for a big club like Freo.”
The 23-year-old Hamling is now at his third AFL club and coming into his sixth year on an AFL list.
With a flag to his name after playing just 23 games, Hamling has taken to helping out Fremantle’s younger players and new draftees at training.
“It’s good to share a bit of knowledge here and there, “ Hamling said.
“I’ve been in the league for six years now so I guess I know a little bit about playing defence. So if I can pass a bit of knowledge onto them and get the guys ahead of me to pass it on to me we can go from there.”
