AFL

Young Jess Inspires Dockers

Tuesday 19th January 2010

Author: Chris Correia

Photographer:

The Fremantle Dockers have announced their new Number One Junior Ticket Holder at the club’s annual team photo shoot, with 10-year-old Jessica Sheehan replacing Jesse Dart.

Jessica’s dream of being the club’s number one junior fan has come true after being diagnosed with the terminal disease, Niemann Pick Type C. Childhood dementia.

Today saw Jessica presented with the number 1 guernsey for 2010 by Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich - her favourite player and close friend.

Pavlich says Jessica is a real star at the port club.

“She’s an absolute champion, a little Fremantle battler, a legend,” he said.

“I’ve been involved now with Jess and her family now for a couple of years and seeing what she’s been through and the family goes through.

“Just seeing how bright and exuberant she always is when she comes down and sees training or catch up for a coffee or whatever every now and then, it’s good to see her so excited and so bubbly.”

The Dockers superstar says her positive outlook on life will spur his team on to perform on the field.

“Seeing her with a beaming smile as we are coming off the track, it does give you a bit of inspiration,” he said.

“Anyone who has been through some tough times and supports Fremantle, I think it’s really important for us to be there for them and have an outlet for their health and wellbeing.”

Fremantle are in the midst of their pre-season training, with Round 1 of the NAB Cup quickly approaching.

The six-time All Australian says it is too early to tell where the group is in comparison to previous pre-seasons.

“Time will tell, until we start playing it will be really hard to tell,” he said.

“There have been some significant results for some individuals and probably the broader group as a whole.

“There won’t be any risks taken (with players under injury clouds), there’s no question,” he said.

“We’re very excited about the pre-season competition, but certainly our underlying position is that no risks will be taken.”

In other good news, Pavlich says defender Steven Dodd is on track to make an earlier comeback than expected after shoulder and wrist operations.

“I think he (Dodd) tried to hide his cast out there for the photo,” he joked.

“He’s running really well…I think he’s progressed a lot quicker than probably the outlook was earlier in the pre-season.

“I would suggest (his return) the pre-season games, maybe towards the end of the NAB Cup or the NAB Challenge, depending on where we’re at.”

The Dockers kick off their NAB Cup campaign on February 21 at Subiaco Oval against Melbourne.