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How Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has created a ‘wonderful’ feeling at Freo that even strangers feel part of

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Bonnie RaynorThe West Australian
VideoThe Fremantle Dockers defeated Hawthorn for the first time in six years at Optus Stadium on Monday night

Justin Longmuir has created a ‘wonderful’ feeling at Fremantle that even people on the outside want to buy into, according to Herald Sun journalist Mark Robinson.

Speaking on AFL 360, the veteran footy scribe said it’s the first-year coach’s personable nature that has created the environment even strangers feel a part of.

“He’s a relatively young figure in coaching ranks, he seems to have a really good human nature about him,” Robinson said.

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“I don’t know about anyone else at home, but when I hear him talk, I feel as though he’s talking to me one-on-one when I’m listening on the TV.

“He’s not putting on different graces or a different persona, I feel that he’s talking to me one-on-one.

“If you’re playing for Justin Longmuir, and I feel that when I hear him on TV, imagine what that’s like being a player at that club.

“Every other club says ‘we’re all like that’, you may well be, but it’s just a wonderful feeling that they’ve got.”

Nat Fyfe of the Dockers leads the team from the field after winning the round 11 AFL match.
Camera IconNat Fyfe of the Dockers leads the team from the field after winning the round 11 AFL match. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos

The Dockers look set to finish their season in Cairns after back-to-back wins through a purple patch they’ve enjoyed at home.

Fremantle’s young stars showed a bright glimpse into the club’s future on Monday night, with the fresh faces running riot over a star-studded Hawthorn midfield.

And while the young players deserve credit, Robinson believes it again comes back to the man in charge.

“When you talk about Fremantle, you smile. Youth makes you smile,” Robinson said.

“When you see young boys like Andrew Brayshaw ripping off a 30-odd game against (Tom) Mitchell, (Jaeger) O’Meara etc, and (Adam) Cerra, (Caleb) Serong, Luke Ryan at the back...

“They’ve just got so many nice things happening there and you go to the coach.”

The Dockers next face Carlton on Saturday night, before tackling Sydney next weekend in their final match at home.

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