Training Preseason 2024
- Thread starter DragoDelph
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Oct 17, 2010
- 4,193
- 6,592
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
- Other Teams
- Washington Commanders, Black Ducks
Fremantle Dockers: Bulked up Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson poised to become potent threat up forward next season
The future of Fremantle’s forward has arrived and its one that should excite and encourage Dockers fans, writes ELIZA REILLY.3 min read
November 16, 2023 - 9:18PM
Luke Jackson and Jye Amiss after a Dockers’ win in 2023. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
One became the youngest player in Fremantle history to kick more than 40 goals in a season, the other hopes to kick even more majors in 2024.
Together, they’re the future of Fremantle’s forward line.
Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson were the star attractions of Fremantle’s first stop on its great southern community camp. And as if standing alongside the kids at Tambellup Primary School wasn’t enough of an indication, the former is a lot closer than he was 12 months ago to filling out as a genuine key forward.
The 20-year-old is yet to complete a full pre-season. With just half of one under his belt, Amiss won Fremantle’s goalkicking with 41 goals from 22 appearances. It was also just his second season at AFL level, playing two just senior games last year in a season where a collision in the WAFL ruptured his kidney.
Match his supreme talent, lethal kick and innate athleticism with the frame of a key forward and Amiss looks set to be an even bigger headache for opposition defenders in 2024.
“Gym was a massive focus for me to put on size,” Amiss said of his off-season. “I think being a second year player, you come in pretty skinny, pretty scrawny.
“I think I put on three or four kilos in the offseason. So that was a big focus, and then obviously, being able to have the running capacity with that as well.
“There’s definitely a lot of improvement in my game. I think last year I only completed just under half a preseason. Sort of talking with the high performance staff … the stuff that I could get out in games during the year and be able to stay fit and healthy was pretty exciting.”
As Amiss grows, so does his reputation. The expectation was immediate when he became the first key forward Fremantle drafted inside the top 10 since Matthew Pavlich back in 2021. And excitement escalates with each game he plays.
Dockers fans, after all, have long cried out for a dominant spearhead.
“Coming into my second year, I didn’t have any high expectations of myself,” Amiss said. “I didn’t have too many goals or playing as many AFL games as I did. I just wanted to stay fit and see if I could play as many games as I could.
“I think that’s just going to be the focus for me, whether it’s this year or years to come, I think just to have the best pre-season I can get my body right and the result can take care of itself.”
Jackson’s debut season with the Dockers was equally impressive.
A member of the All-Australian squad and a top-five finish in Fremantle’s Doig Medal, the premiership Demons’ versatility made him a major asset.
Experts will continue to laud his work in the ruck, fleeting appearances in the midfield and unreal athleticism. But one of the most important roles Jackson played was that of a foil for a younger and developing Amiss up forward.
The 22-year-old believes he can yet become a greater threat in front of goal, despite kicking a career-high 22 goals this year.
“I think I improved last season from the years before in the forward line but I’m still going to keep working on that part of my game and I’m there hopefully kick a few more goals,” Jackson said.
“It was good getting to know the three roles last season, mid, forward and ruck and I learnt a lot.
“I think doing that next season will be big for me playing those roles again and I just want to keep learning at the end of the day.”
Add in Josh Treacy and Fremantle suddenly has an abundance of height up forward, something they have been searching for ever since Pavlich retired. The trio has played just 16 games together. The developing chemistry and sky-high ceiling are tantalising prospects for Fremantle fans.
“I think we’re going to keep building that this pre-season,” Amiss said. “I think it’s a big part and a big, big improvement that we need as a team.
“We all get on really well. Luke is obviously a really talented player. And so as JT.
“We’re also young … just still learning. I think that’s what the pre-season is for … us to learn and try new things and get to know each other better.”
It's not about the 8 hours a day. Players need to maintain and build their fitness outside of pre-season training. Same like brain surgeons need to keep their scalpels rust free and rocket scientists need to make sure they have a jerrycan of fuel ready to go.
Players have off season programs that they follow
They don't go away for 8 weeks and sit on their ass
wakojako
Norm Smith Medallist
- Nov 15, 2020
- 7,232
- 12,563
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
Now those are some valid points.
wakojako
Norm Smith Medallist
- Nov 15, 2020
- 7,232
- 12,563
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
Yes he is entitled to the break. I really want him to succeed because I've defended him a lot on this board. That is why I'm tough on him!
There was talking that at GCSs he could not build his running capacity to the required level to force his way to a best 22 slot. He's 8 years in the AFL now. Clock is ticking.
Yeah I'm a big believer players should be able to get their rest and there is continuous focus during the season, so not a fan of xxx player hasn't turned up yet before they're required to.
They make the choices that leads to their success (or otherwise).
But Brodie is the one where I'm a bit divided, he's got a lot to gain by getting as fit as possible, and visible signs he's gone all in on that would be positive for his performance and career, and hence Freo.
Taylor
Community Leader
- Moderator
- #308
There is no hiding from the time trial and no amount of showing up in front of cameras will make you run faster. He will have either done the work or he won't and we actually won't know until the time trials.
That of the group who has already returned we had O'Driscoll and Williams performing strongly leads me to believing that the group was suitably motivated in the off season.
That of the group who has already returned we had O'Driscoll and Williams performing strongly leads me to believing that the group was suitably motivated in the off season.
Professional sports players have a limited time to make an impact and should not be looked at in the normal 9-5 working regime.. They need to go above and beyond to get the most out of their career both financially and statistically.
He doesn't have to turn up. It isn't a contract requirement. But he wasn't getting selected last year and he had just received a contract extension.
You talk about being a professional sports person as though it is similar to other jobs. Quite a few differences I think. The underlying one being that to be successful in an elite environment you need to bring elite preparation, especially if you are not in the superstar category.
DRAGONS FFC - Thread starter
- Moderator
- #311
In other news
The Captain is speaking.
The Captain is speaking.
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #312
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #313
- Jun 30, 2011
- 7,129
- 14,650
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
Whether Brodie turns up early to pre season is irrelevant. His problem is his tank and it doesn't matter where he is running. If he's not doing extra 12 km runs in October whilst on holiday then running a few laps in front the training watchers is not going to make any difference. It's a dumb criticism.
Snuffaluphagus
Brownlow Medallist
- Sep 10, 2015
- 25,412
- 88,069
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
I'll be honest, I have some slight concerns on Ras though nowhere near writing him off like some people have done but I always come back to how hard a worker he is. I'm confident someone with his profile that has the work ethic he has will figure it out
The club knew what they were getting when they picked him up. He's never going to be a marathon runner - lets have us use what he's good at - winning the ball.
I think he's massively hard done by. Our midfield is better when he's in there getting us first use. Rather than try and mould him into something he's not, lets use his strengths and then cover his weakness in other ways, that's what good teams do.
if hes not in peak form then he is pretty much a liability, which he was when in the afl side and wasnt exactly putting up dominant numbers in the wafl after that, wasnt hard done by imo
once upon a time I'd froth on these sort of posts, get all excited about how were going to improve and be so much better the following season. It'd really build my hope and excitement, and i'd equally empart this on people like eagles supporters.
But now.....
I've heard all this far too many times before. Talk's cheap. This stuff is water off a ducks back to me. I don't care how well you're running, how good your holiday is, how hopeful you are on player X re-signing etc etc.
Not a blight on Caleb, he's just doing his job and answering the questions put to him, but we've heard all this before then had to sit through underperformance and heartbreak. last season being a classic example. Win a final in 2022 then talk about how much better we are etc etc only to go backwards, get younger, and lose key players.
See how we're travelling by round 4 before i get excited.
For me he was in peak form early last season in the tiny go he was given. We started the season in pathetic style largely because he wasn't there, winning us contests. He was a super reason for us beating GC at Gather round when he was finally put on the ground.
He's massively hard done by because we're trying to make him Phar Lap when clearly he's not. He's just great at winning the ball and getting a clean handball to a teammate, as he showed all 2022. For some reason we're now ignoring what he's good at and trying to make him something he's not. Kind of like putting Fyfe as a forward - but we havent got the balls to drop Fyfe for not being able to kick a drop punt correctly.
While I'm sure almost no one here is rocking back at work early from their holidays, I don't think it's so much the contractual requirements, and more the human side.
Some people cope well with the ongoing scrutiny and being buried in footy, and some don't.
Getting a mental break may be more beneficial to some than some extra training, it depends on the individual.
Brodie however has clear improvement areas on the aerobic side, which he could be working on by his own, but it would have been a positive sign if that was shown visibly by an early commitment.
I hope he has worked on it, and I won't judge him by whether he's at training early or not, but the proof will be in the pudding.
think thats a completely inaccurate assessment on his season last year tbh
not sure why you think were trying to turn him into some tom scully run all day bloke, were definetly interested in improving his tank obviously as hes an AFL footballer and only being on the ground 70% of the game is a genuine issue
would have to watch it back but from memory he wasnt impressive in the first couple of games he was given to start the year, and never earnt his way back from there
Inacurate? He's been in the game for 8 years and at our club for 2. We know what player we've got. All the chat is on his running ability - we know that's a weakness, and if it hasnt been fixed in 8 years it's likely to never change. His ball winning ability and distribution on the other hand is elite. We either work with that warts and all, or cut him adrift. He wasnt a better runner in 2022 when he was dominating and the team was more successful. For some reason last season there was a lot of chatter about his 2 - way running (not sure what changed from 2022) and he was in and out of the side, on and off the bench, or used as the sub a lot. He was cooked mentally by the end of the season and i'd completely understand why.
Yes he can do it wherever suits him best. He's not been required to join the young guys for several seasons now. He'd be expected to manage his own preseason fitness regime with club targets.
Curious that 4th year+ players need a mental break, but younguns don't.
They're young and keen, they'll be fine..
