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Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has denied there is a rift between himself and Michael Walters, declaring he won't be dropping the star veteran.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has declared Michael Walters won't get dropped this week, saying he will do everything possible to help the out-of-form veteran regain his mojo.
Walters' form slump has been a big talking point this year, with the 2019 All-Australian struggling in his role as a permanent forward.
Former Fremantle assistant coach Peter Sumich suggested a rift had developed between Longmuir and Walters, claiming the experienced campaigner was keen to move back into the midfield.
Sumich said Walters needed to be dropped to regain form.
Longmuir denied there was a rift when questioned about it earlier this week, saying there was no way he was dropping Walters for Saturday's clash with Hawthorn in Tasmania.
"He's not getting dropped," Longmuir said on Wednesday.
"We'll continue to work with him to create more opportunities for him to get into the game.
"I'm really happy with some of the stuff he's doing. If you watch the game closely, he's (open) a lot and we're not quite finding him at times.
"There's some things he can do to create some more opportunities for himself, but he's not getting dropped. We'll continue to support him and help him turn his form around."
Walters is averaging only 13.5 possessions per game this season and has booted just 12 goals in 13 matches.
Two years ago in Ross Lyon's final season as Fremantle coach, Walters averaged 21.8 disposals and booted 40 goals in a career-best campaign where he spent extended stints in the midfield.
But with Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe and David Mundy nailing down midfield berths, Walters has cut a frustrated figure in attack.
Longmuir said skipper Fyfe (shoulder) had pulled up well from last week's 16-point loss to Carlton and would line up against the Hawks in what will be his 200-game milestone.
Injury-plagued Stephen Hill has finally shaken off a hamstring injury and will play in the WAFL this weekend for Peel Thunder.
The Dockers missed the chance to move into the top eight last week and Longmuir said the group was determined to bounce back.
