Fremantle defender Luke Ryan has denied claims that there is tension within the club.
It was reported by the Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph on Fox Footy’s On The Couch earlier this week that there are “tension points” at the Dockers relating to head coach Justin Longmuir.
Ralph said: “There are tension points there at Freo over the last couple of years as he tried to improve (the team).
“The players wanted to play a more up-tempo brand of football — he wasn’t thrilled with that.”
He also believes that some of Longmuir’s coaching themes have fallen short and that there is some sort of divide between the older and younger players at club headquarters.
“Some players railed against Longmuir’s themes over the summer — 18 months ago, where ‘pirates’ were ‘seeking the treasure’, which of course represented the premiership — players didn’t love that,” Ralph added.
“Some of the younger players feel like on training days (the players) shouldn’t have mobile phones for the entire day, (they) don’t want the older players to be out having lunch out of the club. The older players resented that.”
In response to those comments, SEN WA Breakfast’s Tim Gossage asked Ryan: “How much of that is close to the mark? Or is that the first time you’ve ever heard that?”
The gun defender more or less laughed off the suggestions.
“I don’t really get stuck into media that much, but that’s the first time I’ve heard that one,” Ryan said.
“That’s a funny one. I don’t know where he gets that stuff from.
“If that keeps him happy, it keeps him happy, but that’s not what’s happening.”
The 2024 season is a significant one for Longmuir who is out of contract at Freo this year after the club fell from finals to finish 14th in 2023.
The Dockers open the new campaign against the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on Sunday, March 17.
Listen to the full chat with Ryan below: