3 minute read

Fremantle's perceived poor ball movement was their major downfall last year, when they finished well out of the finals race, but have they fixed the problem?

Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski doesn't think his team has a ball-movement issue, saying the topic is more complex than what it first appears.

The Dockers' ball movement was perceived to be their biggest weakness in 2023 as they slumped to 14th place just a year after making the semi-finals.

The issue seemed to rear its head again during last week's 39-point practice match loss to Port Adelaide.

But Switkowski doesn't feel like his team have a problem when it comes to ball movement, saying it's important to play it smarter at times rather than taking the game on in dangerous situations.

"No I don't subscribe to the narrative (of poor ball movement)," Switkowski said.

"Ball movement, moving the ball fast, isn't as straight forward as when you get the ball deciding to just go.

"It's dependant on so many other things in our game. We pride ourselves on good team defence.

"And if we can turn the ball over in the forward half, it's the best time to go quick, because the (opposition) defence isn't set up.

"If you just decide to go quick out of your defensive 50, that's when the opposition is set up well and it's probably not a smart time to go.

"I have full trust in our game plan. I think when we all play our roles and execute it well, I think we can beat anybody."

Fremantle will be without ruckman Sean Darcy for the opening few rounds of the season after he underwent minor knee surgery.

Darcy's absence means Luke Jackson will lead the ruck brigade against Brisbane on March 17, opening the door for either Matt Taberner or Patrick Voss to join Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy in attack.

"He's a big loss. He's a really important player for us," Switkowski said of Darcy.

"Everyone's really disappointed to lose him.

"We'll just have to tweak structurally a couple of things. I'm confident with the team we'll have for round one.

"Luke will probably go in the ruck. He showed last year he can play fully in the ruck and do it well.

"We have options up forward. Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, played some good football.

"We've got Matt Taberner and Voss who we have signed.

"We can also potentially line up smaller, putting in (Bailey) Banfield or (Sam) Sturt - guys who can play tall or small."

Switkowski is fit to go for the Dockers' season opener after overcoming a minor hamstring issue during the summer.