1 week ago
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Hayden Young has revealed his determination to Fremantle’s midfield was 18 months successful the making, and says he’s present loving beingness alongside Nat Fyfe, Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw.
Young burst onto the AFL country arsenic a rebounding defender with a lethal left-foot kick.
But his proceedings arsenic a midfielder precocious past play was specified a occurrence helium has present been granted a full-time licence successful the position.
Hayden Young of the Dockers.Credit: Getty Images
Young is averaging a career-high 24.9 possessions, 4.3 clearances and 6.4 tackles this play successful what is shaping arsenic a standout campaign.
And with Fyfe, Serong and Brayshaw besides firing, Fremantle’s midfield has proven a immense spot successful their 4-3 commencement to the year.
Although Young’s power to midfield duties precocious past twelvemonth came arsenic a invited surprise, it had travel aft overmuch planning.
“I astir apt had it successful my caput for a portion earlier I transitioned,” Young said up of Sunday’s clash with Richmond astatine the MCG.
“Playing arsenic a precocious half-back, rather often you spell to stoppage meetings.
“I would enactment down and perceive to the midfield/centre enactment bounce stuff.
“I astir apt had a year-and-a-half of my internship earlier I really played midfield.
“So I felt similar erstwhile I stepped into the role, I knew what I had to do, which meant I could travel successful and play football, and I didn’t person to accent excessively much.”
So does Young statement himself arsenic a defender oregon a midfielder now?
“I deliberation I’m officially a midfielder,” helium said with a laugh.
“I’m loving it. I’ve got large enactment astir me. When Caleb Serong is having 17 clearances, it makes my occupation easier.”
Serong’s club-record clearance masterclass successful past week’s 24-point triumph implicit the Bulldogs was a immense highlight.
But the biggest talking constituent to travel retired of the lucifer was the stunning signifier of Nat Fyfe, who tallied 37 disposals, 7 clearances and a extremity successful his astir prolific show since 2019.
“The champion portion is he’s not going retired determination trying to beryllium the champion player. He’s conscionable trying to beryllium 2024 Nat Fyfe,” Young said.
“When he’s playing bully footy, we each basal taller.”
Fremantle volition commencement lukewarm favourites against injury-hit Richmond (1-6).
The Dockers person been boosted by the instrumentality of spearhead Jye Amiss from concussion, forcing past week’s debutant Pat Voss retired of the side.
Defender Josh Draper, subbed retired past week with a choky hamstring, has been fixed the greenish airy to play.
Richmond invited backmost Jayden Short and Tyler Sonsie, but Jacob Hopper (hamstring) and Jack Graham (hamstring) were ruled out.
AAP
English (US)