AFL

Freo Youngsters Set Sail

Monday 25th January 2010

Author: Frizz Ferguson

Photographer:

The Fremantle Dockers newest  draftees have survived the rough seas overnight after learning how to sail the tall ship Leeuwin II.

As the Leeuwin II sailed into the port the brave players stood atop of the tall mast waving to a small group of fans who had come to see the young team in a very different environment.

The tough exercise was a chance for young players and new recruits to bond with each other, learn new skills, and gave them a chance to show leadership. The Dockers skills coach Michael Prior joined Anthony Morabito, Alex Silvagni, Michael Barlow and five other players on the ship.

Hauling lines, night watch and taking control at the helm is a bit different to running drills and kicking a footy, but Prior said the sea experience was a good example on how to play back on land at the oval.

“On a boat like this, everyone’s got a role to play. If one person isn’t playing their role the ship doesn’t sail. Same as the football field, everyone’s got their role to play; if you don’t play your role in the game, you’re not going to your solid game plan you won’t win games of footy,” he said.

“Know your role and play your role.”

Prior praised the teenagers who showed a ‘great amount of discipline’ and ‘courage’ and when the seas got rough, the boys stepped up when they were needed. The small team also got the time to see each other at a different place other than the training field and see how their teammates react under pressure.

“They know each other, they train together obviously, but to put them out on the ocean where they have got to do things differently,” Prior said.

“They get to know a little bit more about each other and us as coaches as well we get to know them, they get to know us a little bit better so it’s a good bonding experience as well.”

Prior along with the Dockers player development manager, Luke Webster, were also looking at who took control of the situations at hand and who would set sail on the footy field as well as the seas.

“Justin Bollenhagen was a stand out for us, he jumped in and showed us really good leadership and that’s what we want,” Prior said.