Young Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong can’t wait to team up with Nat Fyfe in the midfield, with the Fremantle captain a chance to return against Collingwood on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
Serong is five games into his AFL career but hasn’t had much of an opportunity to play alongside the two-time Brownlow Medallist, saying he’s spent more time playing on Fyfe at training.
“I think it’s been a couple of quarters (playing in the midfield with Fyfe). The Gold Coast game, I played a half and he went down with a hamstring and the St Kilda game he went forward,” Serong said.
“I haven’t played too much with him, even pre-season, I’ve been up against him.
“I can’t wait. If he’s out there this week, it’s going to be a great addition to our midfield and I can wait to run out alongside him, I think everyone walks a little bit taller when Fyfey’s out there beside us.”
Serong was nominated for the 2020 NAB AFL Rising Star award after his 22 disposals, seven tackles and a goal against Geelong while playing on Cats star Patrick Dangerfield.
The 19-year-old has drawn favourable comparisons to Brisbane’s Lachie Neale.
When asked about the comparison with the two-time Doig Medallist, Serong said he admired aspects of Neale’s game.
“I have watched a bit of vision of Lachie in the past and tried to learn a bit of stuff from him but then again, I’m me, I’m trying to go about my business of being an AFL footballer,” Serong said.
“I’m just starting my career, I’m only five games in. I’ve got a lot to learn, I feel like each week I’m getting better and learning and improving my craft.
“For me, I’m just focused each week on getting better and playing my role for the team.”
Serong said both Fremantle and Collingwood would be looking to bounce back after disappointing results in round eight after Freo’s 32-point loss to Geelong and Collingwood’s 66-point loss to West Coast.
“I watched the Cats and Collingwood game (in round seven) and Collingwood were very good in that game. They’re a great side, they have been for a few years now. We’re really going to need to be on our game to compete with them this week,” Serong said.
“They’re going to come out firing. They’re a proud club and I’ll be surprised if they don’t come out ready to go this week.”
