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Fremantle Dockers play waiting game on star midfielder Adam Cerra’s contract

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Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
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Young Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra is yet to re-sign with the Dockers.
Camera IconYoung Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra is yet to re-sign with the Dockers. Credit: Quinn Rooney/via AFL Photos

Fremantle has left the ball firmly in Adam Cerra’s court on the young midfielder’s future, with coach Justin Longmuir revealing “a deal has been on the table for a while now”.

The Victorian native’s signature looms as a key one for the Dockers ahead of his existing contract expiring at the end of the year, with speculation clubs such as Carlton and North Melbourne are circling to bring the 21-year-old home.

Cerra is a chance to return this weekend from an ankle injury that has sidelined the young midfielder since the Dockers’ round five win over Adelaide.

Speaking from Fremantle’s training base on the Gold Coast, Longmuir said the club would give Cerra “as much time as he needs” to decide on his future.

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“He’s just weighing up his future I suppose. These things take time and we’re willing to give him time,” he said.

Fremantle midfielder Adam Cerra is set to return for the Dockers’ clash with Essendon this weekend.
Camera IconFremantle midfielder Adam Cerra is set to return for the Dockers’ clash with Essendon this weekend. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

“He’s clearly a big part of our future. We see him that way that’s why we’ve offered him the deal.

“These are big decisions young people have to make and you’ve got to make sure cover them off the right way.

“All I can judge him by is his attitude and his attitude’s been first class. He’s really connected to the group, really connected to his teammates and what we’re trying to do.”

Forward Michael Frederick (ankle) is the only certain omission from the Dockers team which went down by 24-points to Brisbane at the weekend.

Longmuir said Cerra and Sam Switkowski (finger) were a chance to replace Frederick for Sunday’s clash against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

The second-year coach also would not rule out reigning Doig medallist Luke Ryan, saying the defender was “touch and go” despite being listed as still a week away on the club’s injury list.

“It (the calf injury) hasn’t improved the way we want it to improve, so he’ll do a bit more at training today than what he did last week and we’ll see how he pulls up,” Longmuir said.

“If Switkowski and Cerra are right, one of those guys will come in and replace Freddy and we’ll see what else needs to be done to the team if they both get up.”

It came after Ryan effectively ruled himself out of the clash earlier in the day, saying he’d miss his fourth-consecutive match after he “tweaked” the calf.

“I will probably miss this week and then I should be right for Sydney hopefully next week,” Ryan told 6PR.

“I’ll train today, not a full session, but I’ll do my little rehab run. Hopefully, I’ll train with the main group Wednesday and play next Saturday night.”

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