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Justin Chadwick
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has welcomed Josh Fraser to his special ruck club, praising the new Carlton coach for the way he’s turned around the Blues’ fortunes.
Carlton were a rabble at 1-8 when Fraser inherited the coaching reins on an interim basis following Michael Voss’ decision to step down.
Since then, Fraser has led the Blues to 10 wins, two losses and a draw to secure them a wildcard finals berth.
Although initially saying he didn’t want the senior coach role full-time, the hot run of form convinced Fraser he was ready, with the Blues officially appointing him on a three-year deal earlier this week.
Longmuir, who played 139 games for the Dockers as a ruck-forward, was thrilled to welcome Fraser – a former Suns and Magpies ruckman – into the coaching club.
“He seems composed and process-orientated. He’s an ex-ruck as well, so he’s one for the clan,” Longmuir said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
“There’s a few of us getting around now, which is nice to see.
“He’s done a great job at not only instilling a lot of confidence in that team and belief, but bringing together a football team first and foremost, and then a club and a supporter base who’s got right behind them.”
The Dockers (19-3) are already guaranteed to finish first, while 10th-placed Carlton (11-10-1) can only move up one spot.
Fremantle have rested Sam Switkowski, Jye Amiss and Heath Chapman for the match, bringing in small forward Tobyn Murray for his AFL debut, alongside Bailey Banfield and Judd McVee.
Carlton replaced injured duo Will Hayward and Nick Haynes with Lewis Young and Oliver Hollands.
Fremantle are yet to win a flag in their 32-year history, with their closest effort coming in 2013 when they lost the grand final to Hawthorn by 15 points.
The Dockers’ odds of winning this year’s premiership were given a further boost this week when second-placed Sydney suspended five players for the rest of the season, including stars Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey.
Fremantle are a perfect 12-0 at Optus Stadium this year, giving them a perfect runway to lock in a grand final berth, but Switkowski says the players aren’t thinking about the prospect of flag success just yet.
“I think it’s pretty dangerous to let it wander that far,” Switkowski said.
“There’s so much work to be done. It’s been a long time since we’ve even made it to a preliminary final. We haven’t been there year-on-year.”
Switkowski described sealing the minor premiership as an “awesome achievement” for the club.
“But clearly we’ve got bigger fish to fry, so that’s where our focus is going to be,” he said.
AAP
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