Fremantle Dockers Rally Behind Sean Darcy and Jye Amiss After Tough Season Opener
The Fremantle Dockers are expressing strong support for key players Sean Darcy and Jye Amiss as they aim to recover from a disappointing start to the AFL season. In their opening match against Geelong, the Dockers suffered a narrow 10-point loss, with both Darcy and Amiss struggling to make a significant impact on the field.
Sean Darcy's Return and Challenges
Sean Darcy, the imposing ruckman, returned to play after a pre-season disrupted by a calf injury. However, his performance was limited, as he spent only 45 per cent of the game on the field, the lowest figure among all 46 players in the match. Despite winning 22 hit-outs, Darcy faced criticism for his lack of influence and follow-up work, with former player Danielle Laidley labeling him "a liability" in her player ratings for The West Australian.
The recruitment of Mason Cox, who had an impressive pre-season, has sparked speculation about Darcy's place in the Dockers' best side. Fremantle's footy boss, Joe Brierty, addressed these concerns, stating that Darcy would benefit from his run against Geelong and is likely to retain his position alongside Luke Jackson for the upcoming clash with Melbourne captain Max Gawn.
Brierty explained, "From his perspective, like a lot of players, in his first game, his touch probably wasn't quite at the level he would've been chasing. We just know when Sean's up and going—and it's something we saw through the majority of pre-season before he was injured—he was in really good form and had his body in a really good place."
He added that Darcy's body is in good condition, and the focus is now on building continuity in his football. Brierty acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Max Gawn, describing him as "probably the best ruckman of this generation." While Mason Cox's strong pre-season performance provides options, Brierty emphasized that Darcy has played crucial roles for the team and is expected to continue improving.
Jye Amiss's Struggles and Future Prospects
Jye Amiss, the fifth-year forward, kicked one goal during an early blitz that helped Fremantle build a lead of up to 35 points in the second term. However, his influence waned in the second half, finishing with only four disposals for the game. Brierty noted that Amiss would have benefited from more support from his teammates further afield.
Brierty commented, "Like a few of our players across the board on the weekend, there were aspects of his game he'd want to improve. We think that'll come. We think our three tall forward structure is important to us and the roles that they share."
He explained that the game's dynamics left Amiss isolated at times, which is not how the team intends to play. Brierty expressed confidence in Amiss's future, stating, "He's a big part of our future... we know there's high expectations on him, but we've got a lot of trust in the footy he'll play for us in the future."
Team Updates and Upcoming Match
In other team news, veteran defender Luke Ryan missed a chance to feature for Peel Thunder in a WAFL practice game due to a bout of COVID-19. Brierty reported that Ryan was bed-ridden for two to three days but has since recovered and trained well, putting his name in contention for Fremantle's back seven against Melbourne.
The Dockers are now preparing for a challenging encounter with the Melbourne Demons, where they will rely on Darcy and Amiss to bounce back and contribute to a stronger team performance. With support from the coaching staff and management, both players are focused on regaining their best form as the season progresses.
