Fremantle have come out in defence of their injury management program, after comments made by former Docker Shane Kersten's manager Colin Young.
Young expressed his concerns to the media about the Dockers' management of Kersten.
“Shane and the club will part ways at the end of the week amicably and Shane will do his rehab under a different set of eyes,” Young told The West Australian.
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“I have serious concerns on how the club rehabilitates its players (and) it's my opinion that this area of the club needs an immediate review.
“Immediate changes need to be made or the club is going nowhere.”
In a statement released by the club, football GM Peter Bell defended the club.
“While we respect the views of player managers like Colin and work with them each day, it is important to reinforce that everyone at the Fremantle Football Club is committed to looking after our players and their health and welfare on and off the field,” general manager of football Peter Bell said.
“Injury management is a vital component of providing that support and it is a very important area of our club. We have highly experienced, capable and committed professionals with input, when required, from local, national and, at times, international specialists and experts in their field.
“We want every player who comes to this club to be successful and play as many games as possible. Despite Shane not being able to play in 2019, we are confident with how the injury was managed, treated and reviewed, and that the club has done everything possible to assist Shane, with support and care from all areas of our football operations including our player welfare services.”
Kersten's exit from the club was finalised Thursday, after he played 29 games for Fremantle in 2017 and 2018.
However, it was revealed Wednesday that Fremantle considered cutting Kersten last year, in a bid to keep midfielder Lachie Neale at the club.
In an article by foxsports.com.au, it was revealed that Neale and Kersten had an apparently strained relationship, which the club viewed as a factor in Neale's leaving.