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No Freo sympathy for wounded Dogs

Michael Barlow at Fremantle training.

Fremantle star Michael Barlow says there will be no holding back when the Dockers play Melbourne in tomorrow’s NAB Challenge despite the season ending injuries to Eric Mackenzie and Tom Liberatore.

The Dockers and Demons will play at Fremantle Oval in their first match of the pre-season.

The competition was rocked when Liberatore and Mackenzie broke down last week but Barlow said injuries were a part
of football and something players couldn’t afford to worry about.

“You go out there to improve your fitness base and get some form behind you,” Barlow said.

“You feel for the players. You see Mackenzie and Liberatore and you do feel for them. It is the time if year where you’re starting to play games, the training loads decrease and it’s a really exciting time of year as the season draws closer.

“You feel personally for those players and across the competition you want to see the best players playing. Injuries happen.

“I’ve been injured at points in my career but the moment you go out worrying about injuries or worrying about not being able to get through to the next week, you put real limitations on yourself and you ability to be able to perform.”

The Dockers have chosen a strong squad for the match. Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Zac Dawson, Garrick Ibbotsom and Ryan Crowley are among the players missing but only one first year player has been chosen – Connor Blakely.

Barlow said the players were focused on preparing for round one so their opponent wasn’t as important.

“We won’t focus too much on Melbourne,” Barlow said.

“We’ll respect and have a quick look but it’s all about how we want to improve.”