VFL: Nathan Freeman rejoins Frankston after stint with Adelaide Crows

The Frankston Dolphins have emerged as a finals contender in the VFL — and now they’re set to add a former AFL player into the mix.

Nathan Freeman training with the Adelaide Crows in March. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Frankston coach Danny Ryan says it’s a good problem to have.

Ryan is eluding to the return of ball magnet Nathan Freeman, who is back in town after a short stint with the Adelaide Crows in the SANFL this season.

The former St Kilda and Collingwood-listed midfielder has returned to Melbourne to pursue off-field career opportunities and will rejoin the Dolphins, whom he starred for last year, averaging 37.7 disposals per game.

He trained with Frankston last week and will play against Casey Demons next week.

“We’ve got to fit them all in, that’s the challenge,” Ryan said.

“Good coaching problems to have.”

Frankston’s flying, the Dolphins winning their past two games to be 4-3 and firmly in contention for a top-eight spot.

Frankston is striving to break a 17-year finals drought.

Nathan Freeman playing for Frankston against Geelong. Picture: Scott Barbour/AFL Photos

A new wave of exciting talent has fuelled the Dolphins’ emergence this season, and Freeman should only make them stronger.

But Ryan said “it’s not as as easy as that”, and the trick will be to get team “chemistry”.

“On paper, yeah, he’s only going to make us better,’’ Ryan said of Freeman.

“Some of the way Nathan plays we were missing at the start of this year, some of our give and go and getting us energised and he brings a lot of that to the game so that will be a welcome addition.

“It’s just a chemistry piece of fitting in with everybody, we’ve fitted in new players and we’ve got going without him, now we add him in and that might take a little bit of chemistry but we’ll just work through that.’’

Nathan Freeman in Adelaide Crows colours. Picture: Harrison Mielke

Freeman has a bye this week before tackling ladder leaders Casey Demons on Sunday, May 29, at SkyBus Stadium.

Frankston followed its stunning comeback win over Carlton a fortnight ago with a drought-breaking victory over Williamstown, at Point Gellibrand, last Saturday night.

Will Fordham continued his sizzling form with four goals in the 10.15 (75) to 3.16 (34) win.

Frankston captain Josh Newman had 33 possessions and Connor Riley 29.

The win was even more meritorious after the Dolphins were severely impacted by the

flu before the game.

Coach Ryan missed the game, and watched a livestream of the game from home with a headset on and in constant contact with his coaching staff in the box.

Dolphins key player Kai Owens and several team officials also were struck down with the flu,

while other players were too unwell to train during the week but still played.

“We’ve had a really bad week, that’s why it was a really admirable effort just to get the win,”

Ryan said.