Emerging Fremantle defender Hayden Young says Dockers believe they can compete with the AFL’s best teams

Fremantle’s strong start to the AFL season has surprised some pundits but not the Dockers themselves as they plot to end their Marvel Stadium hoodoo.

Hayden Young hasn’t missed a game this year after struggling with injury in his first two seasons. Picture: AFL Photos

Fremantle’s bid to end a 12-year Marvel Stadium hoodoo against Essendon on Sunday will revolve around two words.

Speed kills.

The Dockers, who boast a top-four berth through the first month, will be out to choke the Bombers’ ball movement as they look to maintain their early season momentum, defender Hayden Young revealed.

Their Marvel Stadium record isn’t as bad as it seems, with Fremantle losing the past three times there to Essendon by a combined 20 points and not playing the Bombers at the venue between 2011-16.

“When they’re up and going; they can be quite dangerous,” Young said.

Hayden Young is part of an impressive compilation of young talent at Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

“We think they play with a lot of speed and excitement and when they have a lot of momentum; they can be pretty tough to stop.

“That’s one thing we’re going to be conscious of heading into the game. We’ll try to defend strongly and take their speed out of the game and, hopefully, we can control the pace of the game.

“That way we feel like we might be able to nullify their momentum swings and hopefully maintain the scoreboard dominance.”

Alex Pearce and Caleb Serong’s return strengthens the Dockers’ line-up but they will be without clever goalsneak Lachie Schulz, who has entered the AFL’s health and safety protocols.

Fremantle has largely escaped the Covid carnage cross-town rival West Coast has suffered through but Young said it was something the Dockers would continue to be “vigilant” about.

“It’s always front of mind, but we’re wearing masks all the time and taking the necessary precautions,” he said.

Lachie Schultz will miss the Dockers’ clash with Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s unfortunate that we’ve missed a few players early in the year, but I think it’s a credit to the club, and all the players and staff, that we’ve been able to keep the cases really low and not let it spread throughout the team.

“It’s something we’re going to have to keep working on throughout the year, (because) it’s not going away and at the moment we feel like we’re handling it really well.”

Only reigning premier Melbourne has conceded fewer points than the Dockers through the opening four rounds, and Young said their lofty ladder position was not a surprise to them.

“We have a lot of belief in our ability and we think it can stack up against the best teams,” he said.

“We’re eager to keep putting our best performances out there and hopefully keep putting the wins on the board, because there’s definitely a strong belief within the playing group.

“I’m sure the broader community will soon see that.”

Originally published as Emerging Fremantle defender Hayden Young says Dockers believe they can compete with the AFL’s best teams