From The
AFL CAPTAIN N AT H A N F Y F E Our 2023 pre-season is underway and it’s great
retirement of David Mundy, whose influence on
And that’s before we look at our trade period
to have everyone back together after a well-
our group will be felt for years to come.
acquisitions, with Luke Jackson and Jaeger
deserved break.
O’Meara coming straight into the mix, and Josh This allows us to have open conversations
Corbett having the opportunity to add to our
It was important for everyone to get away in
about our leadership mix going forward, as we
forward line.
the off-season, for our interstate players to
are in a position to adjust that reliance on just
spend time with their families, and to even head overseas for the first time in a few years.
one or two leaders. We have a group of guys who can be captain, vice captain or senior leaders every week.
As a senior player, but also watching on as a fan, it became clear in 2022 that we are entering a really exciting window.
For me, after an injury riddled year and the stresses that came with that, to be able to
Another big motivator for
After going through the experience of 2011 to
refresh was really enjoyable and I’ve returned as
my pre-season is being
2015, I know that you don’t become a good side
motivated as ever for next season and beyond.
surrounded by these young
by accident. It’s something that is built over
and hungry players who
years and it can take longer than you’d like – a
The past year was one of mixed emotions for me. It was fantastic to see the team come of
are becoming beasts of the
feeling I’m sure our fans can relate to.
competition.
age and go from strength to strength, and it was
What this team achieved last year was no one-
also incredibly humbling to see it happen while
If I was to list the players that we
off, but we also can’t put our feet up. We need
I was on the sidelines for significant periods,
should be getting excited about in
to do that work again if we’re going to continue
unable to have an impact on the field.
the coming years, it would take up
our progress.
most of the page. The team gained valuable experience in big
We’ve done the work with our game plan,
finals games and it gave my leadership a new
we’re well coached by Justin Longmuir and the
depth and perspective. It all sets us up for a big
coaching group, we’re well trained through our
12 months ahead.
strength and conditioning team.
This year we got to see Alex Pearce go to a new level, not just as a player but as a leader.
As long as we turn up and do the work, we’ll give ourselves every opportunity to be as good, if not better, than we were last year and have
What came through was the genuine care he
a red hot crack at playing finals footy deep
has for the players, and the whole playing group
into September.
loves playing for Alex. As a Purple Army, I hope you embrace it and Then Andy Brayshaw stepped up again and
keep wearing your colours and showing your
became the best player on the ground most
passion.
weeks, setting the standard both in the way he prepares and performs. When things weren’t going our way, the players gravitated towards his energy.
We’re the counter culture movement in WA that you want to be a part of, so get on board if you’re not already, as there are some big years to come.
When we add what Caleb Serong achieved as a third-year player, it puts our leadership group in a position of real strength - even after the
DOcker annuAl 2022 >>> 13