Fremantle Dockers winger Jeremy Sharp impressing in on-ball role for Peel Thunder after falling out of favour

Jeremy Sharp may have fallen out of favour to take up one of Fremantle’s wing spots — but the hard-running Docker is impressing in a new role as an on-baller in their reserves.

Picked up as a de-listed free agent after being cut by Gold Coast, the 24-year-old produced an impressive first season in purple in 2024, immediately establishing himself in the senior side and not missing a game all year long.

He backed up his breakout by stringing another 14 appearances together at the start of last year but was omitted after round 16 and did not find his way back, while remaining on the outer in the early stages of their 2026 campaign.

Sharp spent the vast majority of his hit-out for Peel Thunder against West Coast in a WAFL practice game on Saturday away from his preferred wing role, instead figuring as one of his side’s prime on-ballers.

Official statistics were not taken on the day but he would have figured among the game’s most prolific ball-winners, helping his side run out 93-point winners over the Eagles.

Fremantle’s head of development Geoff Valentine said the Thunder’s competitiveness was given just as much weight as Sharp’s own development in the decision-making around where he was deployed on the ground.

“He’s developing his midfield craft,” Valentine said.

“We’re pretty fortunate — young (Jaren) Carr’s coming along really well, Toby Whan’s had a good pre-season on the wing, so that’s enabled Sharpy to play a little bit more inside.

“There’s three really good wingers and two wing spots. We feel that Sharpy, at this stage of his career, can go into the midfield as an inside midfielder and have some impact there, and it’s been great for his work around the contest.

“It’s always a juggling act, getting players in roles where they can develop their game, but at the same time, they’ve got to be in roles where we can win and compete.”

Intrigue has also surrounded the preferred position for Fremantle’s top selection in last year’s draft Adam Sweid, who spent much of his final year of underage footballer as a midfielder but also has the makings of a successful small forward with his speed and ability to apply pressure.

Valentine said the 18-year-old’s early games with Peel would be spent mainly in attack.

“He’ll be in for centre bounce, he’ll play a bit of time on the ball, but he’s also got to learn the forward role and develop his forward craft,” he said.

“We’re really mindful of giving him enough minutes to do that, but at the same time, we know what he brings around the contest.

“We’re really pleased he was able to back up last week’s performance with another really strong performance.”