Fremantle players are preparing for a return to training as early as next week, according to Justin Longmuir.
The senior coach said the club was expecting training to resume around the league in small groups.
“We’ve been told we’re a chance to start next week and at this stage we haven’t been given a date,” Longmuir said.
“We think it will be small group training sessions, so maybe groups of eight to 10.
Longmuir expects all clubs to be required to follow the same training protocols, crediting the AFL for striving to keep the process fair.
“It’s the hard thing for the AFL to juggle, all of the (different) state rules and regulations,” Longmuir said.
“I think they’ve done a really good job at this stage, being fair to all teams and I wouldn’t see that changing.”
Ten Fremantle players are one week into their self-isolation period after returning from interstate, including Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Sean Darcy, Lachie Schutz, Sam Sturt, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young, Lloyd Meek, Matthew Taberner and James Aish.
While the players are isolating from the public, Longmuir said the club has ensured they are able to interact within the group of 10.
“We’ve had to shuffle some living arrangements and we’ve managed to get a few of them living together,” Longmuir said.
“That will be good for their wellbeing to be able to hang out with their teammates and get through this together.”
While admitting it wasn’t an ideal situation, Longmuir said Fremantle would accept having to spend multiple weeks interstate when the season resumes.
“Our footy club and our players want to get back playing and want to make sure we finish off the year we started,” Longmuir said.
“We’ll do whatever it takes, we’ve got to be positive, we’ve got to stay in the moment and we’ve got to remain connected at this time. I’m sure our players and our staff will do whatever it takes.”
Longmuir gave an update on injured defender Alex Pearce, who underwent further surgery on his injured ankle last week.
“At this stage, it’s a setback in that ankle injury that he’s had a couple of operations on now,” Longmuir said.
“We haven’t put a date on when he will return but we’re hopeful that it’s this year and we’re hopeful that he gets it right.”
