Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says Michael Walters was all set to be the sub against Melbourne before an unexpected late injury setback flipped those plans around.
Walters returned to form with four goals on Sunday as Fremantle crushed Melbourne by 50 points to move to fourth on the AFL ladder.
Dockers forward Michael Walters. Credit: Getty Images
The 33-year-old had barely played over the past six weeks – injuring his hamstring early in the round 14 loss to the Bulldogs, spending the next two weeks on the sidelines, before gaining just a slither of game time as the sub over the past fortnight.
Longmuir had told Walters privately and publicly he would again be the sub against Melbourne.
But when emerging midfielder Matt Johnson was cut down by a foot injury late last week, Longmuir shuffled his cards and promoted Walters into the 22.
The move worked a treat, with Walters tallying four goals, 16 disposals and nine score involvements in arguably his best game of the season.
“I don’t really play games like that. He was always going to be the sub and then Johnno came out, so we reshuffled the team,” Longmuir said of Walters’ promotion.
“[Walters] was unfortunate to get injured [earlier this season] and someone took his spot and played well, and it’s taken a little bit of time for him to force his way back in.
“But he took his opportunities and I thought our forwards definitely got some reward for effort by the end of the day.”
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