Why Michael Frederick had to cop his medicine as Fremantle builds towards flag

“They’ve got eyes everywhere. I’m not too sure. Your answer is as good as mine!”

‘They’ in this instance is the Fremantle leadership group. The ‘what’ is the fact that Frederick breached team rules by drinking after the round 12 win over the Brisbane Lions. Drinking in and of itself wasn’t the problem, but the Dockers had a six-day break coming up to their next match against Hawthorn.

So Frederick, who had been in career-best form with key contributions in the wins over premiership contenders Melbourne and the Lions, had to cop his medicine and miss the Hawks game. Because there are no shortcuts to what Fremantle is building as it pushes for a top-four finish, and then some.

“I came in and Dave Mundy called me and said to go to the leadership group meeting. It’s a long walk to the meeting they were in. You’re already thinking about how they were going to punish you. But we all had a really good chat after,” Frederick says.

“Straight after they got around me, told me not to beat myself up too much but to make sure I came back a better person on and off the field and make sure I learn from my mistakes.

“Because we’re building a very strong culture.”

Coach Justin Longmuir, true to form, was measured about Frederick’s indiscretion.

“The week after I went into his office … it’s back to normal,” Frederick says.

“He’s a very approachable man.”

Clearly this was not a grievous offence. Frederick came back after the bye and has slotted in again with minimal fuss. The speedy forward was influential once more on Saturday night, kicking three majors as the Dockers surged past St Kilda, overturning a half-time deficit to win by 41 points and move to within percentage of the top of the ladder.

“If we’re on our toes and defending really well we get good looks. We had a lot of front half turnovers and a lot of scores from our front half. That’s how we like to play,” Frederick says of the Fremantle method.

Under Longmuir, the Dockers have built a foundation on defence. Freewheeling football is not something readily associated with the men in purple but bigger totals have started to come regularly in recent weeks.

Clearly there is a technical element to the attacking verve but perhaps just as critical is the emotional bedrock. This is something that senior assistant coach Jaymie Graham and football operations and performance manager Bob Murphy have been determined to instil.

“Our forward line’s jelling really well. We have a lot of meets and catch-ups throughout the week,” Frederick says.

“I think this is the most connected I’ve ever been with the forward line.

“We come in and tell each other our stories in depth and get to know each other. That’s been pretty good. Bob Murphy has had a lot to do with that.

“A lot of personal stuff. To get to know each other on a deeper level. I think it builds our bonds on and off the field, and makes it easier to have those hard conversations.

“I haven’t gone yet (had his turn yet) but to those close to me I’ve opened up about upbringing, my mum’s life story, how she came from Africa and made it here. I’m sure she would’ve never of thought I’d be playing AFL footy. I’m just trying to make her proud.”

In former Bulldogs captain Murphy, Frederick has found a kindred spirit. Murphy, a Grover from way back, loves Frederick’s nimble feet, helping cultivate a nickname for the South Australian.

“He’s awesome. He’s got the best energy. You couldn’t ask for a better bloke. He’s so caring, just an easygoing guy. It feels as though he’s about my age when he’s around us,” Frederick says.

“He’s a pretty cool guy. The boys call me ‘Dancing Rick’, so he always talks about dancing and footwork.

“But when it’s time to be serious on game day he’s unreal for us.”

Longmuir has been at pains to narrow the Dockers’ focus despite the excitement around their ladder position. He saw what happened after the ‘Flagmantle’ tag started to get bandied about: consecutive losses to Gold Coast and Collingwood.

But Freo is humming, and Nat Fyfe’s best showing yet since his mid-season return from injury should further buoy the Dockers.

Fyfe shifted into the midfield after half-time, Longmuir’s doing, but it’s likely he will remain at least a bit-part player up forward. It’s a role that he has embraced, says Frederick.

“Obviously he’s had a lot of time out of the game. He’s come in and hasn’t tried to take over. He’s been awesome. He’s been coming to us as forwards and asking if he’s in the right setups. Telling us to take charge, not him.”