Barlow signs contract extension

Master Q · April 09, 2010, 09:51:56 AM

QuoteFREMANTLE has secured boom recruit Michael Barlow through to the end of 2012, rewarding the mature-age rookie for his
stunning introduction to AFL football.

The 22-year-old, who was recruited from VFL club Werribee, has averaged 33 possessions in his first two AFL games after a consistent pre-season campaign.

List manager Brad Lloyd said Barlow had impressed everyone at Fremantle since arriving via December's NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"Although Michael is only a few games into his career, we are very positive about his future prospects and his capacity to play a role in our midfield," Lloyd said.

Barlow is Fremantle's nominated rookie for the 2010 season, making him available for all senior games.

Midfield coach Barry Mitchell said an ability to complete a mountain of work in a short pre-season had allowed Barlow to excel in his first two AFL games.

"He got through everything, which for a player who hasn't been in a full AFL pre-season program, he did well," Mitchell told afl.com.au.

"His conditioning was good and while [his pre-season] was short, he's been through a lot of work in terms of our structure, how we want play and our stoppages.

"We've also worked hard with him on his defensive stuff.

"I think Mick is a bit of a ball-getter, he knows where to go to get the ball and he uses the ball pretty well, he's pretty efficient."

Earlier this week, coach Mark Harvey forecast a daunting third-game test for Barlow, with the youngster now an obvious target for tagger Cameron Ling when Fremantle takes on Geelong on Sunday.

"That'll be a compliment to what Michael's done in the last two weeks, but that's their decision," Harvey said.

"Nothing fazes the kid. He was really important in the third quarter [against Essendon] for us. He really got the team generating on the back of playing in the midfield.

"He might be a little bit of a barometer about what we're doing at the moment."

Meanwhile, rookie Matt de Boer has been elevated to Fremantle's main list. The 20-year-old replaces Dean Solomon, who retired in February.

De Boer's elevation has made him available for selection for Sunday's clash at Subiaco Oval.

Source: afl.com.au

Congrats for him :)

Justin Bieber · April 09, 2010, 10:04:54 AM

Hope he can pay them back for the faith they put in him after 2 games.

snap it · April 09, 2010, 10:29:52 AM

Yeah he's the suprise packet of the season so far, this guy reckons he's a natural, what do you think? - http://www.thebigtip.com.au/afl/44-opinion/184-ode-to-the-natural-footballer

Master Q · April 09, 2010, 11:04:08 AM

Quote from: snap it on April 09, 2010, 10:29:52 AM
Yeah he's the suprise packet of the season so far, this guy reckons he's a natural, what do you think? - http://www.thebigtip.com.au/afl/44-opinion/184-ode-to-the-natural-footballer

Jeez stop plugging to that site...

CFC 1979 · April 09, 2010, 12:05:49 PM

must be an AFL record

2 games then 2 year contract

Master Q · April 09, 2010, 12:08:13 PM

sure gazza got one quick aswell.

CFC 1979 · April 09, 2010, 12:09:02 PM

he needs one quick now :D

ossie85 · April 09, 2010, 08:22:15 PM

Quote from: CFC 1979 on April 09, 2010, 12:05:49 PM
must be an AFL record

2 games then 2 year contract

Marc Murphy was offered a 5-year contract by Brisbane before he even was drafted :)

Master Q · April 10, 2010, 12:24:14 AM

Quote from: ossie85 on April 09, 2010, 08:22:15 PM
Quote from: CFC 1979 on April 09, 2010, 12:05:49 PM
must be an AFL record

2 games then 2 year contract

Marc Murphy was offered a 5-year contract by Brisbane before he even was drafted :)

:o

valkorum · April 10, 2010, 12:47:47 AM

Very happy that we are re-signing good young players. We re-signed Suban till the end of 2012 during the week as well.

DeBoer has also been elevated from the rookie list to replace Solly

ossie85 · April 10, 2010, 01:05:06 AM

Good stuff Fremantle, keep training 'em and the Victorian clubs will steal 'em soon enough. Barlow, Suban, DeBoer, Hill... should be ripe for the picking around 2013-14.

valkorum · April 10, 2010, 01:57:00 AM

Hill and DeBoer are WA boys, Barlow and Suban are Vic boys.

Justin Bieber · April 10, 2010, 03:43:55 AM

freo and west coast are trying to recruit more guys from WA. hence, most of their team are starting to look more like a WAFL team ;)

valkorum · April 10, 2010, 03:53:00 AM

The pattern I have noticed is that we are trying to pick our high draft picks from WA, after round 2 of the draft then we look all over the country.

Definitely happy with the early picks over the last couple of years.

Palmer
Hill
Morabito

Justin Bieber · April 10, 2010, 03:59:38 AM

probably since the victorian teams don't scout WA often might help freo and WCE have an advantage picking hidden gems from there.