My pleas for Amiss protection not a whinge: Longmuir
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir insists his pleas for umpires to better protect Jye Amiss are fair, saying the key forward’s safety is being compromised by ongoing rough treatment.
Longmuir has been left angry by the illegal treatment Amiss has been copping from defenders this year.
The issue reached a boiling point during Fremantle’s 54-point win over Richmond on Sunday when Tigers defender Ben Miller wrestled Amiss to the ground in the dying seconds and shoved his knee onto the forward’s head/neck area.
Miller was fined by the match review panel for kneeing, but he escaped suspension.
After the match, Longmuir expressed his frustrations at the rough treatment Amiss has been dealing with this season.
And the fifth-year coach dived even deeper into the issue when he fronted up for his weekly press conference on Wednesday.
“I’m not after anything outrageous for Jye, just a fair run,” Longmuir said ahead of Friday night’s clash with Sydney at Optus Stadium.
“I don’t want to be that coach that whinges all the time. But I just want the safety of our players as well.
“It’s the third time we’ve spoken about it (to the AFL) this year, so the dialogue is open.
“He’s had two situations where the MRO have had to adjudicate on collisions with him, That’s a fair indication where the conversation is coming from.”
Ben Miller pins down Jye Amiss during their MCG battle. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Amiss kicked 41 goals from 22 games last year, but he has been restricted to 12 majors from seven matches in 2024.
Longmuir feels Amiss has been copping more illegal treatment this year.
“The body checks have turned into arms around grabbing him to try to stop him getting in behind,” Longmuir said.
“At times they’re doing that and wrestling him to the ground.
“I understand that defenders want to body check and make sure he doesn’t get in behind.
“But you can’t grab, you can’t bring him to ground.
“Don’t put your knee into his head, and don’t cannon into him at marking contests illegally.
“I think it’s all pretty fair and reasonable things I’m asking for.”
With Sydney to be without key defender Tom McCartin due to concussion, Amiss may be forced to contend with tough nut Dane Rampe this week.
Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski has missed the past three matches with concussion and is no guarantee to return against the ladder-leading Swans.
“Concussions when they drag on is never ideal. You always get concerned,” Longmuir said.
“He’s showing some good signs week to week, and during running sessions and meetings.
“He just has to get through the contact part.
“The way he’s been training has been really sharp, it’s just how he’s been pulling up that has been a bit of a concern.”
Longmuir indicated veteran Michael Walters might be used as the sub either this week or next to give him a break, much like the Dockers did with Nat Fyfe in last week’s win over the Tigers.