Fremantle Dockers training notes: Bailey Banfield, Alex Pearce, Hayden Young, Sean Darcy, Damian Martin & more

Helmet test Bailey Banfield started the session in a helmet but fans shouldn’t be worried because he doesn’t have any concussion concerns. The Dockers are testing The Nodal Impact Attenuation helmet designed by St John of God’s Alan Thomas. It has a series of ball shapes, plus injectable foam which are used to absorb and disperse the energy of contact sport. Research has shown the helmet results in 12-times less impact than traditional helmets. Ironically, two players were involved in a head clash during training. Josh Treacy and Brandon Walker collided, but were checked on and cleared to continue. Collingwood fans? Construction of a new grandstand and change rooms has been taking place at the Dockers all season and the workers felt it would be a good idea to taunt the players with their choice of music. Late in the session, the Collingwood theme song started blaring. It’s fair to say the workers copped some strange looks. “We heard it,” captain Alex Pearce said. “Fair play to them. You’re going to thrown some things out on the field and you have to focus and stay on task. “I did question whether it was coming from our speaker. I heard it from the construction workers. We’re not all Freo people in WA.” Orange socks Fremantle’s leaders were wearing orange socks to support 16 Days in WA, a campaign against gender based violence and captain Alex Pearce spoke passionately about the need for men to lead the way after training. Hayden Young was wearing his socks while doing work on the stationary bike. Quinton Narkle was also on the bike and doing rope work. Sean Darcy did plenty of running around the oval and was also working on a treadmill on the sidelines. Sam Sturt and Ollie Murphy were both on light duties. There was no sign of small forward Michael Walters. Dialled-in Damo Former Perth Wildcats captain Damian Martin is in charge of the leadership program at Fremantle. He was at his enthusiastic best during the session and appeared to have injured his right hamstring when applying pressure on Sam Switkowski during one drill. Martin has only ever known one speed – flat out. But his competitive instincts may need to be changed now that he’s in a totally different sport. Mini Olympics The Dockers are keeping things competitive during the pre-season with the squad divided into four teams named after former players - Stephen Hill, Shaun McManus, Troy Cook and Shane Parker. The squads went head to head in a goalkicking competition with the points from those shots to be used to determine the summer’s overall winner.