Fremantle is looking to utilise a more dynamic forwardline in 2018 with senior coach Ross Lyon planning to unleash a 'mosquito fleet' of small forwards to put pressure on the opposition’s defences.
Former Gold Coast Sun Brandon Matera joined Fremantle during the 2017 NAB AFL Trade Period while more depth was added in the draft through Box Hill product Sam Switkowski.
Matera’s arrival gives Lyon three experienced small forward options to select in attack, with Lyon not ruling out selecting Matera, Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne in the same lineup.
“That’s the aim, we’ve probably been a bit thinner for small forwards than we would have liked,” Lyon said.
“Sonny’s (Walters) really played midfield all summer so we know what he can do. (Nat) Fyfe and (David) Mundy will also spent more time forward.
“We played our best footy when we were mobile, we pressured and we were skilful, so we think that could really work. We would like that.”
After missing the second half of the 2017 season, Lyon has been pleased to see Matera get through a full pre-season.
“Brandon hasn’t missed a session and I think his history, he’s had some challenges with his body getting through,” Lyon said.
“He’s bought in and adapted really well to our program. He’s a really smart player with the ball, physically strong, he’s quite mature and he’s been in the system for a while.
“Small forwards are quite potent in the AFL and he’s a goal kicker, so that should help us.”
Key forward Cam McCarthy is also expected to build on his debut season at Freo, with Lyon expecting more stamina from the 22-year-old in his second year back from a year out of the game.
“Cam’s (pre-season has been) really good, really pleasing,” Lyon said.
“He hit a bit of a wall at the end after 12 months off. He met expectations when he was physically and mentally fresh.
“He kicked over 20 goals in a team that struggled. He’s done a full summer and things are coming more naturally.
“He's done a lot of work with (assistant coach) David Hale. If he caught some of those marks he should have taken, that he says were sitters…then he will have improved again and that’s what we’re seeing.”
McCarthy will be joined by fellow key tall Matt Taberner in Adelaide this weekend when Fremantle kicks off its JLT Community Series against Adelaide at Strathalbyn Oval on Sunday.
“(Taberner’s) a bit thin for footy (training in pre-season) but he's done a lot of work and his form's been strong,” Lyon said.
