Fremantle forward Michael Walters has been sent back to WAFL club Swan Districts to train after failing to meet the Dockers’ pre-season fitness standards.
Walters has been warned before about his poor conditioning, and veteran defender Luke McPharlin hoped the 21-year-old’s relegation to the WAFL would serve as a wake-up call.
“We all know that he has undoubted talent and we’d love to see that on the main stage,” McPharlin told reporters in Perth on Monday.
“It’s going to be a big few months for him.
“He’s certainly not being ousted from the team. He’s welcome back as soon as he comes back in pretty good shape.
“We’re not in the business of throwing people overboard … by no means are we shutting the door on him.”
Walters, who has played 11 games since debuting in 2009, earned a one-year contract extension at the end of 2011 despite managing just three games for the season due to injury.
