Fans soak up chance to see Fremantle Dockers up close during community camp in Great Southern

Fremantle supporters and footy fans lapped up the chance to see AFL players up close and personal at the Dockers’ community camp in the Great Southern last week. The Dockers began their three-day visit on Thursday with several school clinics and ended the tour with an exhausting training session in warm conditions on Saturday. With first to fourth year players and an extensive group of coaches and support staff, the Dockers had a large presence in the region. On Thursday and Friday, players went out in groups to visit schools in Albany, Cranbrook, Denmark, Katanning, Kendenup, Mt Barker, Narrogin, Tambellup and Williams. One visit at Albany Primary School involved players running clinics on the oval after they took part in an assembly. On Thursday evening, hundreds were on hand at Retravision Stadium for an event where fans could listen to Dockers players and coaches during panel discussions. There was also a chance for fans to get photos and autographs, which proved very popular among the purple army faithful that attended. After more school visits on Friday, the players enjoyed some downtime. Luke Jackson was among those to visit The Gap while others stopped in at local coffee spots. Dockers coaches, including Justin Longmuir, helped facilitate a coaching session for Great Southern coaches. The session was held at Retravision Stadium with more than 20 coaches soaking up knowledge from the Dockers staff. The Great Southern Storm development squad players were involved in the practical drills during the session. A huge crowd flocked to Retravision Stadium to watch the players in an opening training session from 9am on Saturday. The players were put through a gruelling session that involved plenty of running drills. After training, players spent more than 15 minutes posing for photos, signing memorabilia and talking with the hundreds of adoring fans that line the fencing of the oval. Two injured players also went and participated in McHappy Day at local McDonalds’ stores. A gym session that followed completed the community camp for the Dockers before they travelled back to Perth on Saturday afternoon. Doig medallist Caleb Serong was a fan favourite along with rising star Jye Amiss and Jackson, who was asked several times about his connection to the region through his brother Zach who plays for Mt Barker. Speedster Michael Frederick and Northam’s Nathan O’Driscoll were also popular players at the fan sessions.