Mzungu steps up for the Dockers - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Mzungu steps up for the Dockers

Chris Pike 14/02/2011 03:13:59 PM Comments (0)

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has flagged mature-age recruit Tendai Mzungu as the main positive out of the Dockers' surprise opening-round exit from the AFL NAB Cup.

Mzungu, 24, dominated in the WAFL for Perth last season and was snapped up the Dockers following a trade week deal with Gold Coast.

He had 23 disposals in the two losses to Hawthorn and West Coast on Sunday night and looked right at home at the top level.

"Tendai was good. He was pretty sure with his ball handling and it looks like he's got the running intent," Harvey said.

"Guys are still tuning up their match fitness, but it was pleasing that Tendai played like he did.

"He plays a little bit like (star Dockers defender Roger Hayden) in many ways."

Harvey joined a long line of coaches who will be glad to see the back of the controversial out of bounds rule, which penalises the team which touched the ball last before it went over the line.

"The turnovers, fumbling and some lack of intensity were what wasn't great," said Harvey.

"I'm going to go and count how many turnovers there were with that new boundary throw-in rule though.

"On average there could have been 15 or 20 a game, and that's not a natural turnover. I'll be very interested to look at that.

"We've heard all the coaches make comment on it, we've dealt with it and now we need to move on."

West Coast won both of their games at Patersons Stadium on Sunday to book a berth in the quarter-finals, while Hawthorn remain in the running for one of the two wildcard berths after beating Fremantle.

West Coast coach John Worsfold had a host of young players impress and will look to recall Mark LeCras, Luke Shuey, Adam Selwood, Beau Waters and Pat McGinnity in two weeks time, although Daniel Kerr remains a long shot following his groin problems.

"Jack (Darling) was pretty excited he shows his enthusiasm and he's got some real good pace and power. (Andrew) Gaff, really pleased with the way he looks overall," Worsfold said.

"LeCras will be fit, Shuey will be fit, Adam Selwood is right. Beau Waters maybe. McGinnity should be right."

Hawthorn had a virtual no-name squad but impressed with the likes of Isaac Smith, Ben Stratton, Liam Shiels, Jordan Lisle, Jordan Williams, Sam Menegola and Tom Schneider.

Coach Alastair Clarkson will now look to filter back key players Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Brad Sewell, David Hale, Cameron Bruce, Chance Bateman, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Josh Gibson, Xavier Ellis and Michael Osborne, among others, heading into the AFL season proper.

"We won't play anyone in all four games, it's just about getting some game time into them and hoping to have as many players available for the first round of the main season as possible," Clarkson said.

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