Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has attributed a recent sickness sweeping through the AFL club as a significant factor behind Patrick Voss's subdued performance against the Western Bulldogs last week. Voss, known for his energetic 'Prancing Pony' style, was held scoreless from just five disposals in the Dockers' 12-point victory.
Voss's Recent Struggles
The key forward was a last-minute withdrawal from the win over Carlton the previous week due to illness. It is understood Voss was vomiting in the lead-up to that match but attempted to play through the sickness. After kicking 37 goals and 23 behinds from 20 games last season, Voss has managed only 7 goals and 12 behinds from seven matches this year. He was also fined earlier this season for taunting Melbourne defender Harrison Petty.
Longmuir's Confidence
Despite Voss's quieter returns, Fremantle (7-1) are riding a seven-match winning streak ahead of Thursday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn (6-1-1) in Perth. Longmuir expressed no concern over Voss's form, attributing the quiet display to lingering illness. "He missed the week before with sickness, and maybe that lingered a little bit into last week's game," Longmuir said on Tuesday. "But previously it's probably been a little bit of inaccuracy which has cost him. I'm happy with the way he's working with the other talls, and I think they're pretty formidable opponents."
Illness Hits the Dockers Camp
Defender Judd McVee also missed the win over the Bulldogs due to sickness, and several other players have fallen ill recently. Longmuir noted that the illness has affected players differently. "We've had a little bit of sickness through the camp. Some guys have got it a lot worse than others, and it has lingered," he said. "What made last week's win even more pleasing and more proud of the group is we had four or five guys miss training and miss certain parts of prep, and those guys went out and played their role really well. So there's been a little bit of a distraction. It's a bit of a management thing to try and keep them away from the rest of the group."
Looking Ahead to Hawthorn
Longmuir is optimistic that the team has overcome the illness and is embracing the challenge of facing Hawthorn, who are looking to bounce back from a draw with Collingwood. The Dockers are hopeful that Voss will return to his prancing peak against the Hawks.
