Fremantle coach Lisa Webb on Zippy Fish recruitment focus

Webb defers to list management on Fish speculation

Fremantle Dockers senior coach Lisa Webb has addressed growing speculation regarding the potential recruitment of Sydney Swans star Zippy Fish, confirming she has not personally engaged with the emerging talent despite reports linking the player to the club.

Fish, the 2023 AFLW Rising Star winner and a product of the East Fremantle junior system, is currently in the final year of her contract with Sydney after being selected with pick five in the 2024 draft. Recent media reports have suggested the 20-year-old rebounding half-back is homesick and that Fremantle is the clear frontrunner to secure her signature in the upcoming off-season.

Webb described Fish as a terrific young player with high character and talent, noting she fits the profile of individuals the club seeks to surround itself with. However, the coach emphasised that recruitment negotiations fall outside her immediate responsibilities.

We leave that up to list management. If we can get a player of her calibre, fantastic, but it’s not my area at the moment.

Webb stated she would be open to conversation with Fish, whom she labelled a nice kid, but maintained her primary focus remains on the current squad’s performance. With three games remaining in the home-and-away season, the Dockers are prioritising their push for a finals berth over off-field recruitment matters.

Dockers face crucial finish to season

Fremantle’s on-field priorities have intensified after slipping to ninth on the ladder following a 28-point defeat to league leaders North Melbourne. The loss leaves the Dockers one win behind eighth-placed Hawthorn, requiring strong results in their remaining fixtures to maintain postseason hopes.

This Sunday, Fremantle will face last-placed St Kilda in what appears to be a favourable matchup on paper. The Saints recently appointed Nick Dal Santo as their new coach, replacing the previous leadership team. Webb indicated that the change in opposition coaching staff would not alter her team’s preparation approach.

The Dockers coach acknowledged the quality within the St Kilda lineup, highlighting the impact of players such as Jesse Wardlaw, Serene Watson and Tyanna Smith. Webb noted that both teams share a desperation to improve and secure better outcomes, requiring Fremantle to perform at their absolute best to secure a vital victory.

While the recruitment narrative surrounding Fish continues to generate public interest, Webb’s comments reinforce the division between coaching duties and list management strategy during the critical final stretch of the AFLW season.

Original source: The West . Access to the original article may depend on the publisher’s paywall or subscription settings.