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Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir confident Adam Cerra’s ankle injury not serious

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Chris RobinsonThe West Australian
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VideoFremantle's James Aish got on the end of a great passage of play.

Justin Longmuir is confident Adam Cerra’s ankle injury is on the minor side as Fremantle eye a hat-trick of wins for the first time in the coach’s tenure following the gutsy 12-point road triumph over Adelaide.

The Dockers overcame the early loss of their star midfielder and a two-goal half-time deficit to outlast the Crows, with the triumph lifting the side into the top eight.

Cerra’s foot got caught under the weight of a tackle from Harry Schoenberg midway through the opening term and appeared in pain as he came from the ground. But Longmuir appeared hopeful the 21-year-old could feature in Saturday night’s home clash with lowly North Melbourne at Optus Stadium after positive early signs.

“It looks like he’s got a pretty low-grade ankle sprain,” Longmuir said of Cerra.

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“We’ll get him back to Perth and scan it.

“It looks like it’s a pretty good scenario.”

Cerra has missed just two games since his debut in round two of 2018 and was averaging a career-best 24 disposals per game in a strong start to the season before the setback.

Adam Cerra exited the game in the opening term.
Camera IconAdam Cerra exited the game in the opening term. Credit: James Elsby/AFL Photos

Fremantle’s midfield stepped up in his absence. Andrew Brayshaw amassed a game-high 33 possessions and seven clearances, with Nat Fyfe and Caleb Serong also influential.

But Longmuir reserved special praise for the leadership of veteran David Mundy, who had nine of his 28 touches in the final quarter and added a crucial goal to steady his team.

“He’s a wise, calm head. When things are moving quickly, he’s able to steady us and move at a slower pace,” Longmuir said.

“The way he’s invested off the field in our young players and what we’re trying to do… he’s become like a second coach and mentor for our younger players.

“I’m proud that he’s been able to perform the way he does on the field, because it complements what he’s doing off the field.

“He’s a leader in the truest sense. He and Fyfey (Nat Fyfe) are doing a great job with the other younger mids through there, and they’re paving the way for them.”

VideoDavid Mundy gave Fremantle the lead in a remarkable last quarter run.

Longmuir said he wasn’t fazed if the east-coast perception of Mundy’s greatness wasn’t as strong as it should be.

“I think our supporters understand that he’s been a very good player for a very long time,” he said. “The rest of the competition is catching up now.”

Longmuir said he was thrilled with the maturity of his playing group as they notched their first away win of the season.

“A lot’s been made of our home form and our away form, and I didn’t want our players to buy into that,” he said.

“Second half, we started making the most of the good work we were doing up the ground.

“I was really pleased with the way the players were able to adapt in-game.”

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