
Red-hot Hayden Young could be the key for Fremantle Dockers to break Carlton hoodoo
Despite the two sides' contrasting form, the Blues have been a thorn in the Dockers' side in recent clashes with Fremantle only winning one of their past eight encounters.
The teams have not faced each other since the Dockers' infamous after-the-siren loss in Gather Round last year, with their last victory over Carlton coming back in 2022.
However, one man who has avoided a downturn against the Blues is Hayden Young, who boasts a remarkably consistent record against them.
In his past three clashes against Carlton, Young has recorded 25 touches, well above his career average, in each game to be among the best for his side despite their defeats.
But it could be a forward switch that helps Young and Fremantle break their Carlton hoodoo.
In just six games this season, Young has already kicked seven goals, more than half the total (13) he managed across his 23 games last season, as the Dockers manage his on-ball minutes by playing him in the midfield and up forward.
Young has never troubled the scorers in his previous encounters with the Blues but coach Justin Longmuir says he hopes he can continue to shine in his dual role.
'He has changed our midfield mix, and it's a testament to the work he put in while he was injured,' Longmuir told 7NEWS.
'He's just another big body in there and another player the opposition have to worry about, which takes the pressure off the other two.
'Having a left-footer in there and someone who can use the ball the way he does is obviously a really good weapon.
'We'll continue to mix his time between midfield and forward and hope to see his impact continue in both areas.'
The Dockers have won nine of their past 10 games but Longmuir said there was still improvement to find, particularly after they wasted a string of chances to kill the game off earlier against West Coast.
'We wasted some opportunities, especially in those middle quarters, but any time you're generating 40 shots on goal, is a good performance,' he said.
'Our defence held up well and we generated enough opportunities, but there's still some work to do.'

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9 hours ago
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American Cameron Young has a one-stroke lead over defending champion Aaron Rai with play in the second round of the Wyndham Championship suspended by lightning. The PGA Tour's regular-season finale was halted on Friday afternoon with lightning in the area of the Sedgefield Country Club. The bad weather moved in as Australia's Adam Scott slipped down the leader board, likely dashing his chances of making the FedEx Cup playoffs. The round will resume on Saturday morning. Young and Rai were among those still on the course when play was called. Young had just birdied 14 and 15 to get to seven under for the round and 14 under for the tournament. Rai, from England, had six birdies through 13 holes completed. South Korea's Im Sung-jae shot 64 for the second straight day and shares the clubhouse lead with Mac Meissner at 12 under. Meissner fired a seven under 63 to climb the leaderboard. Mark Hubbard is alone in fifth at 11 under following a 66. 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Perth Now
9 hours ago
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Young shades Rai for Wyndham lead, Aussie Scott falters
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15 hours ago
- West Australian
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