Former Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow is incredibly bullish on the club’s future.
The Dockers have advanced to the second week of finals, coming from 41 points down to take down the Western Bulldogs in their Elimination Final.
The win was led by their young core, with Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Heath Chapman, Brennan Cox, Jye Amiss, Jordan Clark, Nathan O’Driscoll and more influential.
Barlow believes Fremantle has one of, if not the most, desirable list in the AFL going forward.
“If Fremantle don’t go on beyond this week, you look at that side, Hayden Young across half-back, Heath Chapman, Brandon Walker, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Jye Amiss showed a bit, Sean Darcy is going to be there for a long time. It’s a special side they’re building,” Barlow told SEN.
“Right now, that was a special win off the back of young players. Michael Walters was good, but straight away he referred to the fact that he’s only been paddling this year and it’s the younger guys that have put them into this situation.
“I think in terms of what a list looks like for the next four to five years, I don’t think Justin Longmuir would want any other list.”
Barlow was also full of praise for Longmuir and his ability to mould this young Freo side.
“He’s been outstanding, Longmuir. He’s been methodical. He’s not a huge extrovert, he does what he does, he gets his players to buy into what he’s talking about,” the Werribee coach added.
“They’ve been able to build a list that has been run by the younger players and now you look at their list and Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox they’re becoming the more experienced players outside of Fyfe, Mundy and Walters.
“Longmuir knew the list was raw when he took it over and he’s come in and put his own stamp on it.
“It’s an exciting little period for the Dockers going forward and three years into the coaching reign, this year was probably the year to push towards the finals and they’re now in the second week and it’s an absolute A-grade season for Fremantle.
“From here, if they lose, it’ll be disappointing, but hindsight will prove that it is an exciting place to be.”
Fremantle now prepares to face Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.