Johnson Considers Future At Dockers

The Age

Saturday July 26, 2008

Digby Beacham, Perth

FREMANTLE'S mass exodus of experienced campaigners could grow, with Essendon recruit Mark Johnson understood to be weighing up his future.

And Heath Black, who has been named to play with South Fremantle against Subiaco today, continues to be linked to retirement. Black is contracted until the end of 2009 but is almost certain to hang up the boots this year.

Johnson, taken by the Dockers in last November's national draft, is nearing completion of the one-year deal provided by Fremantle to enable him to reach the 200-game milestone earlier this season. The 30-year-old is expected to have discussions with his management about his future in the next 48 hours.

If Johnson pulls the pin on his career, which includes a premiership and club champion award with Essendon, the Dockers' ageing list will have taken a significant change of direction.

Fremantle has already lost 448 games in experience with the mid-season retirements of Peter Bell and Matthew Carr, a figure that will swell considerably when Shaun McManus (226), Johnson (202) and Black (192) bring down the curtains on their careers.

Jeff Farmer, who will today make his 245th appearance, is also out of contract and yet to be offered a new deal.

First-year Fremantle assistant coach Chris Scott said he was in for the long haul in his adopted state, vowing to remain with the Dockers beyond this season and not be enticed by a return to Queensland to become involved with the new Gold Coast set-up.

"Yes, I have (ruled myself out)," Scott said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for the right person but in my view I am nine months into my coaching career and to put my name forward for that position would be the wrong thing to do.

"I am very committed to Fremantle and we have a long-term plan that I'm keen to stay a part of."

The Dockers yesterday finalised their team to tackle Port Adelaide tomorrow, with Ryan Murphy and Paul Duffield included at the expense of injured pair Brock O'Brien and Andrew Browne. Youngster Rhys Palmer was named as an emergency, but is expected to play, with doubts still surrounding the fitness of Josh Carr.

Scott said the club was confident Palmer, who has had knee problems, could make a serious contribution against the Power.

"With the problem he's got it is questionable whether or not he needs surgery," Scott said of Palmer. "It's a possibility, but we will just manage him and it makes his first season even more remarkable given that he has done it with this problem. Our medical staff made the call that he's right to go and we will back them in."

Port Adelaide trimmed its squad, injecting midfielder Travis Boak and tall timber Fabian Deluca and Toby Thurstans into the side that held out Adelaide in another intense showdown. Thurstans is expected to be handed a key defensive assignment.

© 2008 The Age

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