Fremantle Dockers Rethink Murphy Reid's Role After Stunning Pre-Season Form
Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has revealed that Murphy Reid's outstanding pre-season performances have prompted a significant reassessment of how the club plans to utilise him during the 2026 AFL season. Reid's brilliant form, highlighted by another best-on-ground display, has forced the coaching staff to reconsider their initial strategies.
Reid's Impressive Pre-Season Highlights
In a recent match against Adelaide, Reid delivered a standout performance, amassing a game-high 30 disposals while seamlessly switching between midfield and half-forward positions. This effort contributed to Fremantle's victory over Adelaide with a score of 12.12 (84) to 9.14 (68) in Mandurah. His dominance follows a strong showing in an intraclub game as a midfielder and being one of the leading ball-winners in last week's practice match against West Coast.
Longmuir praised Reid's evolution, stating, "He's been great. He's evolved his game. We are using him slightly different, but he's having an impact wherever we use him. He knows how to find space, knows how to find the footy, and uses it well." The coach emphasized Reid's importance to the team, noting his potential for growth over the next few years.
Flexible Tactical Approach
Longmuir explained that while the club had a pre-season plan for Reid, his form has led to new ideas. "We've got ideas for him, but the game tells you different things at times," he said. Drawing a comparison to teammate Luke Jackson, Longmuir added, "It's a bit like how we're going to use Jacko. We've got a plan, but we like to not be too rigid that we have to stick to it when the game tells you something different."
He highlighted Reid's versatility, noting, "Murph is probably in that category. If the midfield is not working, we know we can put him there, and we know he'll find the footy. But we do like him forward of centre because he is one of our better kicks going inside 50, and he doesn't waste too many. It's horses for courses."
Other Key Performances and Leadership
Luke Jackson also made a significant impact in the match, excelling as a ruckman, midfielder, and forward. Meanwhile, Josh Treacy stepped up as acting captain and kicked five goals, showcasing his leadership skills. Longmuir commended Treacy's performance, revealing that the team captains had chosen him for the role. "They thought it was a good opportunity to pass on some of the responsibility to him. I was fully supportive once they approached me with that," Longmuir said.
He added, "As I said to JT, nothing changes. He's been leading well and playing well. If he does those two things, he will be a good captain. I don't think he changed too much because he was captain. We don't want to have to rely on the captain for all our communication and leadership during the game." Treacy's leadership was particularly notable with Switta out, as he has been captaining the forward line.
The Dockers faced an early scare when Jye Amiss hobbled off the field, but he returned to play out the match, adding to the team's resilience. This pre-season success sets a positive tone for Fremantle as they prepare for the upcoming AFL season, with Reid's flexibility and form being key factors in their tactical planning.
