Fremantle Dockers defender Brandon Walker is using pain of missing AFL finals to drive him during pre-season

Fremantle’s heartbreaking finish to last season has driven Brandon Walker to change his approach to the game, with the defender revealing he is already a more professional player because the club missed the finals.

The Dockers were third on the ladder with four games remaining and had the same number of wins as eventual premiers Brisbane. But the team then lost to Essendon, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney and Port Adelaide to drop out of the eight and finish in 10th spot.

Walker said he’d used the pain as a driving force over the off-season and arrived back at training feeling stronger and leaner than in the past.

“It’s not like in a way where there was regret, it’s more that I’m hungry. I’m really eager about this year and keen to get after it,” Walker explained at Fremantle’s Community Camp in Karratha.

“I feel I’m being more professional, keen to get out there and play footy. Doing a bit more footy early has been good for us. It’s been really good.

“I’ve done a lot of work in the gym and a lot of the running program. I’ve been really specific and dialled in with the gym. It’s been really good.”

Fremantle’s experienced players will re-join the youngsters next week as they focus on adding greater consistency to their games. Walker said everyone believes they have to talent to contend, but they also realise they’d fallen short when it mattered the most.

“For most of the year we were playing really good footy and it was unfortunate for the last couple of games. But we are in a good spot. the faith is there. The passion is there. We are all ready to go. We are all keen,” Walker said.

“We had moments where we didn’t capitalise in games. We’ve got to get it done and then we’ll be sweet. It’s mainly about playing the full four quarters. playing our way for as long as possible, capitalising on small moments and big moments. We will be focused on doing that a lot more.”

The Dockers trained in the Karratha heat on Wednesday morning before conducting school clinics as part of their Community Camp. The team also visited Woodside’s Gas Plant and played golf while in Karratha.

“It’s been really good. These are things you wouldn’t usually do day-to-day so it’s been a cool experience,” Walker said.

“With all the young boys, we are doing everything together so it’s a good bonding session.”