Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has no plans to mass rest players in the tail-end of the home-and-away season, saying the AFL’s controversial edict will have no impact on his club.
And Longmuir has dismissed claims the Dockers have asked the AFL for permission to unleash ‘Wharfie time’ in the grand final if they make it.
Coaches across the league were left miffed earlier this week when the AFL sent out a memo warning clubs against resting players in the lead-up to the new wildcard round, where teams from seventh to 10th play off for the remaining two spots in the finals.
It’s those teams from seventh to 10th that would benefit most from resting players in the coming weeks, given they would have to win their wildcard game plus four finals in a row if they are to snare the flag.
But a team like Fremantle could also benefit.
The Dockers (18-2) are in the fortunate position of having already locked in a top-two spot and two home finals.
And if they beat Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday, Fremantle will secure the minor premiership with two rounds to spare.
It means the Dockers are arguably the best placed premiership contender to rest players if they wanted to – and the club has history in that sense.
In 2013, Fremantle rested 10 players in their final-round game against St Kilda.
Although the second-string Dockers side lost that match by 71 points, they were back to full strength the very next week in a famous 15-point qualifying final win over Geelong at the Cattery.
In 2015 and with the minor premiership already secure, Fremantle rested 11 players in what resulted in a 69-point loss to Port Adelaide, before beating Sydney in a qualifying final a week later.
The AFL introduced a pre-finals bye after that in a bid to discourage teams from mass resting players.
Longmuir has managed Shai Bolton (hand) and Brennan Cox (knee) in recent weeks, but they were for legitimate niggles.
The seventh-year coach has no plans to mass rest players in games against Melbourne, Adelaide and Carlton.
“If we had players who were injured or carrying injury, we’d look at that,” Longmuir said on Thursday.
“But there’s not going to be mass changes for us.”
Meanwhile, Fremantle’s ‘Wharfie time’ crowd activation is still garnering plenty of attention, despite having not been used since their come-from-behind victory over Hawthorn in round nine.
The crowd-engaging ‘Wharfie time’ is only shown on the big screens at Optus Stadium if the game is close and there’s only a few minutes to go.
It features a boat tackling massive waves, accompanied by the iconic gong and intro from AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” and a heart-beat sound.
Dockers players have spoken openly about how inspirational the crowd activator is, and there were reports Fremantle want to be able to use it – if needed – during the AFL grand final at the MCG.
“I don’t think there’s too much truth in that story, but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes,” Longmuir said.
“I don’t think the club has been to the AFL at all in that regard.”
