Fremantle Docker Hayden Young explains how new strength training from Adam Beard has changed entire team

A summer spent overhauling their gym program and placing a huge emphasis on having stronger bodies has Fremantle much better prepared to compete with the best teams in the AFL according to star onballer Hayden Young. The Dockers appointed Adam Beard as Director of Performance at the end of last season and he brought experience from working with in both the NFL and Major League Baseball in America, both Wales and the British and Irish Lions in rugby union, along with time at both the Australian Institute of Sport and English Institute of Sport. Beard quickly turned his attention to adding strength to a group which narrowly lost the contested possessions battles throughout 2025. Young said the change within the group has been dramatic. “The weight room culture has really shifted this year,” Young told The West Australian. “We’ve really been moving some weight around. I’m the strongest I have been both in upper and lower body. I’d be one of many in that same boat. I feel like everyone has taken a step forward in the gym this year. I am feeling really physically strong and I feel like I’m moving well. It’s better than last year, so I’m super excited.” Vision of Dockers forward Pat Voss squatting 300kg went viral in January and the Dockers will now get their first chance to test their strength against an opposition when they play a practice game against West Coast at Cockburn on Saturday morning. The Dockers selected a strong team to face the Eagles, with Young, Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw all playing. Ruckmen Mason Cox and Luke Jackson are both in the team Cox is one of four new faces, including Melbourne recruit Judd McVee, mature-aged draftee Tobyn Murray and SSP signing Chris Scverri. First round draft pick Adam Sweid wasn’t selected in the 26-man team, and experienced pair Luke Ryan and Sam Switkowski also won’t play. AFL games are expected to be quicker throughout 2026 after a series of rule changes were made during the off-season. The Dockers have already displayed their desire to play with power and speed during training this summer. But Young said speed was irrelevant if players weren’t strong enough to win the ball and cited Brisbane’s grand final victory as an example of what the Dockers must match. The Lions blew Geelong away in the second half of the grand final, winning that part of the game 85-65 as they surged to victory. “When you look at the best teams in the competition, they are mature bodied teams,” Young said. “Brisbane are an example. They’re quite a strong team. Obviously you need pace in AFL footy but having a physical presence around the ball matters. The contest is the most important part of AFL footy. “It doesn’t matter how skilful you are - if you can’t win the ball and can’t be strong then you will struggle. It’s been an emphasis in the gym to get stronger and be more powerful. Hopefully that can be expressed in how we play.”