Fremantle’s Michael Walters produces outstanding performance against Gold Coast after being targeted by racial abuse

Following a week where he was targeted by shocking racial abuse on social media, Michael Walters led from the front as the Dockers secured an important victory over the Suns.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has praised Michael Walters for his reaction to racism abuse after the gun forward led the Dockers to victory over Gold Coast at Norwood Oval on Friday.

Longmuir said he was proud of Walters and fellow Indigenous leaders in the AFL for highlighting racism and attempting to stamp it out.

Walters and teammate Nathan Wilson were attacked with “vile, racist and homophobic” abuse on social media this week, while Adelaide Izak Rankine and Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron were also targeted.

Michael Walters shone against the Suns. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

But Walters cast aside the disgraceful comments to kick four goals and spark the Dockers to just their second win of the season. After kicking his first goal, Walters touched the skin on his left arm.

“They should not have to put up with it,” Longmuir said. “I hope we can get on top of it and stamp it out.

“Maybe he found a bit more motivation with what happened during the week, and he wanted to make a statement.

“I just loved the way he played, great intensity. I could tell he was up for it in the warm up with his voice and communication.”

Injury-plagued Sam Switkowski, the only injury concern for the Dockers, will have scans on his calf after leaving the game in the second quarter.

Sam Switkowski was subbed out of the game in the second quarter. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Longmuir was disappointed with the way the team defended in the first half, citing an inability to shift the ball.

The team spoke about the need to take more risks in the second half and he is hopeful the Dockers can build momentum off the final two quarters.

“It does not just keep rolling because we had two good quarters of footy,” he said. “We need to maintain some edge, intensity and energy.

“There is definitely a progression, but we have got to keep making it happen.”

Why Gold Coast must be wary of falling into old habits

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew claims his side must answer the same questions posed last season when confronted with a similar scenario on the ladder.

Confessing to being frustrated after the fighting loss to Fremantle at Norwood Oval on Friday which leaves the Suns reeling with just one win, Dew said the club needed to repeat last year’s recovery.

“We were 2-3 (win-loss) at this stage last year,” Dew said. “It got to 2-5 and we dug our way out (10 wins). That is what we have to do.

“This loss stings, obviously. We felt like we had a good plan and executed for most of the night.

“But when we didn’t, they made us pay.

“It was similar to the Essendon game. We had double the shots at halftime, but when you don’t put a buffer on, it leaves the door open, and good teams will come through it.”

There were solid signs from the Suns but they weren’t able to get the job done. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

While noting the defeat was difficult to digest, Dew was satisfied with the effort all game.

However, he blamed fundamentals at crucial times and said that hurt the Suns.

“We have got to get better and keep pounding away. That is what we did last year, when under pressure and under the pump, the players responded.

“We will ask the same questions of ourselves and the players together and stay connected.”

A frustrated Dew wasted no time retreating from the dugout where he had coached all game to the changerooms after the final siren.

He was annoyed the Suns had let slip a 23-point lead and said the side still needed to keep the foot down.

“We have had momentum in games and not put on enough buffer to defend,” Dew said. “We could not take care of the ball in the last quarter.”

Dew hopes his side can become more comfortable when having the momentum in games. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

MATCH STATS

FREMANTLE 3.0 6.2 11.5 15-10 (100)

GOLD COAST 4.4 9.7 11.11 13.12 (90)

BEST – Fremantle: Walters, Sarong, Darcy, Schultz, Brayshaw, Pearce, Young. Gold Coast: Lukosius, Miller, Swallow, Anderson, Rowell, Weller.

GOALS 

Fremantle: Walters 4, Schultz, Amiss 3, Jackson 2, Brayshaw, Banfield, Johnson.

Gold Coast: Swallow 3, Anderson, King 2, Chol, Holman, Fiorini, Lukosius, Humphrey, Rosas.

UMPIRES – Johanson, Stevic, Bryce, Tee.

CROWD – 9,329 at Coopers Stadium, Norwood.

VOTES

3 – Michael Walters (Fremantle)

2 – Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)

1 – Caleb Serong (Fremantle)

Originally published as Fremantle’s Michael Walters produces outstanding performance against Gold Coast after being targeted by racial abuse