Gumbleton out to impress Dockers
Fremantle recruit Scott Gumbleton says he must earn respect over the pre-season after making the move from Essendon during the trade period.
Gumbleton had his first training session at Fremantle Oval this morning, alongside the club’s first-fourth year players.
Former Demon Colin Sylvia was also on the track, as was fifth-year midfielder Michael Barlow and potential Irish rookie Sean Hurley.
Luckless young onballer Anthony Morabito trained strongly with the main group, while Clancee Pearce (Achilles tendon) completed some lighter work on his own.
Former Carlton and Peel defender Paul Bower also joined in with the group of about 17 players who took part in the opening session.
Rookie Sam Menegola shone in a series of 1km runs around the oval, with Barlow and young midfielders Lachie Neale and Tom Sheridan keeping a strong pace.
Youngsters Craig Moller and Josh Simpson struggled with the workload on the first day as the 21-year-old 196cm Hurley got a taste of an AFL pre-season session.
Mature-age pair Tendai Mzungu and Lee Spurr and promising youngster Cam Sutcliffe were the only first-fourth year players missing this morning.
Ross Lyon was absent but new coaches Marc Webb and Simon Eastaugh were on hand.
Gumbleton, the 2006 No.2 draft pick, crossed to the Dockers during the trade period in exchange for pick 55.
The 25-year-old has played just 35 games over seven injury-interrupted seasons.
But Gumbleton said his body was in good shape and he was hoping for his second consecutive injury-free pre-season.
“It is fantastic,” he said.
“Running out there today felt good.
“It is good to have a good break off and just refresh and yeah I felt good.
“The last couple of years I have played a fair bit of footy and I am just stoked to be at the Fremantle Football Club and I have got a lot of faith in their physios and their team.”
Gumbleton wouldn’t be drawn on whether he would be the answer to the club’s long-time search for a key forward.
“I am looking forward to getting some respect in the pre-season, working hard and seeing how I go from there," he said.
