Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong says he embraces the challenge of a tag from opposition players, revealing he puts in the work to study his matchup in the lead-up to each game. 

St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager has been the talk of the footy world this week for his role on Collingwood midfielder Nick Daicos last weekend. At Serong’s Thursday morning media conference, the 24-year-old said he is mentally prepared if similar attention comes his way this week. 

“I have no doubt I’ll have support from the boys,” Serong said. 

“We have a group that’s all about doing it together and doing what we need to support each other.

“Embracing the tag is first and foremost. We go in expecting it - if it doesn’t happen, then it doesn’t happen. But if we go in trying to avoid it or hoping it won’t happen, then you’re at a loss already. 

“There is definitely vision watched. I’d be lying if I said you don’t prepare - you want to be armed with different things you can go to if this or that happens. 

“I’ll watch plenty of vision. 

“If either of us  (Brayshaw or himself) gets tagged, it might not be about getting 35 touches. It might be about playing our role at the stoppage, playing our role in transition, and doing what we need to do - pressuring and doing all the team acts we talk about all the time. 

“If I do that, I know I can look my teammates and coaches in the eye and say I’ve played my role. Every single bloke in our team can do that as well. 

“If that results in terms of stats, clearances and so on, then great - but if not, I know I’m going to go out there and play my role for the bloke next to me.”

Serong admitted that during the Club’s Round 8 loss to the Saints, neither he nor midfield partner Andrew Brayshaw received direct attention from Windhager, but they were still beaten in the contest - both gathering fewer than 20 disposals for only the second time in the same game this season. 

“Windhager didn’t tag us last time - he was playing on the wing - but there were definitely some roles and guys in the midfield doing jobs,” Serong said. 

“Either way, we didn’t do a great job of helping each other out or actually getting our roles done ourselves. 

“Andy and I looked at each other after that game and acknowledged that we didn’t play our role for the team, as leaders or as players … we weren’t good enough that day, and we’ve learnt a lot from that.”

Speaking on the significance of the Club’s 23rd annual Starlight Purple Haze game, proudly presented by South32, Serong said Sunday is about more than just footy. 

“The reach and the impact we can have as a football club and as individuals is pretty special,” Serong said. 

“It’s something the group and I don’t take lightly. 

“I’m very proud to be an ambassador for Starlight and to have the opportunity and privilege to go into these hospitals and see the families and kids - sometimes at their worst and going through the hardest things they’ve ever faced. We are very privileged.” 

Sunday’s fixture marks the last of a three-game stretch at Optus Stadium for the team. 

Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal Fremantle kicks during the match. Thanks to the generous support of South32, all pledges will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000 - doubling the impact of every donation. 

Every person who makes a pledge will go into the draw to win a 2025 Starlight jumper signed by all nine of the Club’s Starlight ambassadors including Andy Brayshaw, Serong, Jye Amiss and Hayley Miller.