Since Justin Longmuir assumed the role of head coach for Fremantle at the start of the 2020 AFL season, the Dockers have made only 12 appearances at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This Saturday, they will take on Melbourne at this iconic venue, a match that could serve as valuable preparation for the upcoming grand final in late September. However, Longmuir is not inclined to view it that way.
“I don’t see this as a dress rehearsal,” he stated. “We believe our past experiences at the MCG have been varied, with some positive outcomes, including victories over top-ranked teams. We don’t see playing at the MCG as a disadvantage anymore. In fact, we travel to Melbourne almost every second week, so that’s not a concern for us either.”
The match is scheduled for a 1:15 PM start, which is somewhat similar to the grand final’s 2:30 PM kickoff. Nevertheless, Longmuir is focusing solely on the task at hand. “Our goal is to give our best performance and to continue improving against Melbourne, a team that has performed well there,” he said. “It would be disrespectful to overlook this game in anticipation of the grand final. This match is important in its own right, and we have enough experience at the MCG that it shouldn’t intimidate us.”
As Fremantle gears up for the finals, assistant coach Jaymie Graham is navigating his responsibilities while being considered for head coaching positions at other AFL clubs. Graham has reportedly reached the final interview stages for the open positions at Essendon and Carlton. However, Longmuir believes that Graham’s potential job search will not distract him from his duties at Fremantle as the season concludes.
“I’ve had regular conversations with him about this. We are not only colleagues but also good friends outside of work,” Longmuir remarked. “I haven’t needed to remind him to maintain focus. He’s a professional who understands his obligations, and he has managed this situation remarkably well. You wouldn’t even notice he’s dealing with external opportunities given his presence at the club.”
If Graham is offered a position with either the Blues or the Bombers, Longmuir noted that a decision regarding his continued involvement with Fremantle until the end of the season would be made at that time. “We’ll deal with that situation when it arises,” he said. “I trust Jaymie to handle both responsibilities well. He enjoys his time here and values his work with the club. If he were to accept another job and chose to finish the season with us, I would fully support that decision.”
Longmuir also indicated that he has no intention of resting a significant number of players as they head into the finals, despite having received a caution from the AFL regarding the integrity of the competition. He expressed some surprise at the memo but acknowledged the league’s intent to maintain competitive fairness.
“I understand the importance of ensuring the integrity of every match,” he stated. “At the same time, it is our responsibility as a club to prepare ourselves for the longest possible run in the season. Teams in the top six benefit from a bye, so this memo may not be aimed at us specifically.”
