Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir loves Murphy Reid’s forward creativity more than midfield brilliance

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has declared Murphy Reid’s ability to set up goals currently makes him more valuable as a forward than a midfielder despite his stunning efforts as an onballer during the pre-season. Reid was a dominant force during the summer with a best-on-ground performance in the Dockers’ intraclub game in Bunbury followed by an impressive practice match against West Coast and then a 30-possession effort last weekend against Adelaide. The AFL Rising Star winner’s skill and creativity has changed the way the Dockers play. But Longmuir said those skills were currently more important for the team closer to goal than in the midfield. “He gives us that different dynamic. He has a great ability to drop out the front of contests and find himself in space,” Longmuir told The West Sport Show. “One day he might be a full time midfielder but we like him as a small forward, because a lot of his possessions happen either in really good opportunities to set up a score, or mainly forward of centre, where he can do some real damage for us. “He’s become one of our better kicks going inside 50, so our tall forwards are licking their lips when he gets the ball. “He’s got amazing ability in close and spatial awareness and he’s got a real knack of being able to control the ball when others may not be able to. “He definitely offers a lot of as a player, and I think he can impact in different areas of the ground for us.” Reid famously kicked four goals in one quarter during his debut against Geelong last season, then had another four-goal haul against Port Adelaide later in the season. He kicked 25 goals for the season but also had 21 goal assists, and Rising Star judges recognised the way he changed games by naming him as the AFL’s best young player. Reid clearly wasn’t satisfied with his efforts and returned to training leaner, fitter and stronger so he could attack the pre-season and avoid second-year blues. Longmuir said his professionalism during the off-season break had been the key to the way he’s been performing. “I’ve been really impressed,” Longmuir said. “He clearly stuck to the program and came back fitter and stronger. I don’t think he’s missed a session. “We’ve seen his fitness flourish off that great base that he set up for himself over the over the off-season. “When you’re fit and you’re not working on it, you don’t have to necessarily do extras with your fitness. That allows you a lot of opportunity to work on your footy. “He’s gone to work on that, and he’s improved out of sight. So it’s going to be interesting to see how he goes.”