Fremantle Dockers defender Judd McVee will play on opposite half-back flank to Jordan Clark in AFL games

Exciting Fremantle recruit Judd McVee has revealed the Dockers want to have one of the most attacking half-back lines in the AFL, with the former Melbourne defender set to play on the opposite flank to Jordan Clark throughout 2026. McVee joined the Dockers during the off-season and has spent the summer both deep in defence where his elite kicking has allowed them to quickly get the ball away from goal, and further up the field to give the team an attacking weapon. But he said coach Justin Longmuir wants to have both he and Clark to be giving the team drive off half-back when the season begins. “Rebounding half back on the other side of Jordan Clark would be very ideal. That’s what I’m here to do,” McVee said. “He’s an All-Australian player so I’ll learn from him and go from there. Obviously all of the attention will go to him. Hopefully I’m just thereabouts as well. We want to move the ball pretty fast and play that way.” The Dockers have had a huge focus this summer on becoming more attacking as they look to take advantage of a raft of rule changes. Fremantle was often criticised last season for being too conservative, but there were times where they excelled when taking the game on. Clark was often targeted by the opposition in a bid to shut down the Dockers’ drive so McVee’s arrival will make Fremantle more potent. McVee will get the ideal chance to impress on Friday morning when he plays in Fremantle’s intraclub game at Bunbury’s Hands Oval. Clark won’t be part of that match because he is preparing to represent Western Australia in AFL Origin. McVee said he was starting to feel at home at the club. “It was a bit nerve-racking at the start, meeting everyone and with the new game plan. But I feel like I fit in here and am one of the boys,” McVee said. “Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw played a part in getting me over so I met them nice and early. I actually lived with the Brayshaws for the first two years in Melbourne so I know Andy pretty well.” The Dockers spent Thursday night conducting footy clinics at Hands Oval as part of their Community Camp. Having grown up in Geraldton, McVee said it was important to give youngsters from regional areas an opportunity to meet their heroes and chase their dreams. “We make it as enjoyable for them as we can and have a good time,” he said. “We all love giving back. It’s something we look forward to doing. I think our young group is so strong because we have a lot of interstate players and country kids who just gel so well.”