Fremantle can look at Sunday’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG as an investment in the future with Ross Lyon stating his enjoyment of coaching an emerging Freo team.
Barring two ‘outlier’ games, where Fremantle rested senior players in bulk ahead of the 2010 and 2015 finals series, Sunday’s starting 22 will be the youngest Fremantle has fielded since 2003 with an average age of 23.1 and average experience of 55.1 games.
Included in Sunday’s team are debutants Stefan Giro and Scott Jones, joining Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Bailey Banfield and Taylin Duman as Freo’s 2018 debutants to run out this weekend.
Mitch Crowden is the only 2018 debutant not to be selected from the group of seven – the most in the AFL this season.
“I’m really enjoying it, they love it and we’ve got a really good coaching team with a strong dynamic,” Lyon said
“It’s a different challenge and a different expectation. Coaching with expectations of winning every week is enormous in this business and we understand development takes time, but we’re right in the mix with it.
“It’s our strategic plan from our CEO, president, footy ops, list manger, coach, captain.
“We’re all in and Nat Fyfe understands it. He’s a bit like me as it’s drawn us closer together as well as the leaders like Lachie Neale.
“We know they’re not going to be perfect but our job is to educate them and we’re seeing them come through as we speak.”
Lyon highlighted the growth of Fremantle’s second-year players as evidence of the benefits of investing in Freo’s younger playing stocks.
“Luke Ryan’s in his second year, as is Brennan Cox and Sean Darcy – who would be playing if he wasn’t injured,” Lyon said.
“Cerra, Brayshaw, Duman – there’s incredible things going on here.
“That won’t always be reflected on the scoreboard but I’m enjoying it. It’s invigorating and it’s a different challenge and it’s a slower burn but one we’re really enjoying.”
