Splits inside the Fremantle playing group have been revealed with Dockers coach Justin Longmuir “a long way from an extension” according to the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph.
But AFL great Nathan Buckley is most concerned about why leaks have sprung from his former assistant’s side.
After reaching a semi-final in 2022, the Dockers managed just 10 wins last season and didn’t qualify for the post-season.
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The club’s regression prompted questions about its coaching staff – in particular fifth-year coach Longmuir, whose contract at Cockburn expires this year.
During Monday night’s return of On the Couch, Ralph declared Longmuir is a fair way removed from penning a new Dockers deal, reporting “tension points” at the club in recent seasons.
“I think what’s really obvious is Justin Longmuir is a long way from winning a contract extension just now,” Ralph told Fox Footy.
“Last year he was on a deal on about $700,000, he’s dealing with his own management, he hasn’t got a date for an extension — he just has to win.
“There are tension points there at Freo over the last couple of years as he tried to improve (the team). The players wanted to play a more up-tempo brand of football — he wasn’t thrilled with that.”
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Going further, Ralph documented the Dockers playing group’s opposition to Longmuir-led game style changes and quirky motivational themes, as well as tensions between the players themselves about activity at club headquarters.
“Some players railed against Longmuir’s themes over the summer — 18 months ago, where ‘pirates’ were ‘seeking the treasure’, which of course represented the premiership — players didn’t love that,” Ralph said.
“Some of the younger players feel like on training days (the players) shouldn’t have mobile phones for the entire day, (they) don’t want the older players to be out having lunch out of the club. The older players resented that.”
Ultimately, winning cures all in the AFL.
“The point is, he just needs to win games of football, Justin Longmuir — and if he does that, he gets an extension,” Ralph concluded. “But, when you’re the only person out of contract as a senior coach, there’s pressure.”
Said Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley in response: “The fact you have all that information is worrying in itself.”
Longmuir formerly worked at Collingwood under Buckley as his defensive assistant between 2017 and 2019 — a stint that included two finals series and a grand final berth.
The Dockers toppled the West Coast Eagles before falling to Port Adelaide in their pair of pre-season warm-ups. They now prepare to host the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on March 17.
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