Caleb Serong's insight into greatness: How the Dockers midfielder is taking the competition by storm

“It’s just as important, no doubt.”

WRITER | July 29, 2024 - 3:47pm

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Caleb Serong's resume is beginning to rival some of the stars of the competition.

Saturday's performance in the Derby against West Coast and subsequent third Glendinning-Allan medal (best on ground in Derby) was the latest inclusion to his "little tub at home".

Serong has claimed the majority of the individual awards and is just 23 years of age, nearing the end of his fifth year in the league.

Caleb Serong achievements

AFL Rising Star Award (2020)
AFLPA best first-year player (2020)
AFLCA best young player award (2021)
AFL Goal of the Year (2021)
3x Glendinning-Allan medal (R22 2021, R3 2023, R20 2024)
All-Australian (2023)
Doig Medal (2023)
Geoff Christian medal (best Western Australia player - 2023)

In 2024, the Geelong Grammar product has taken his game to a whole new level and is well within his rights to claim the most prestigious individual accolade the game has to offer: the Brownlow Medal.

Serong is averaging 30.5 disposals, 4.8 tackles, 3.1 marks, 7.8 clearances and is becoming the focal point of a dominant Fremantle midfield that has soared to third position after Round 20.

The 23-year-old is also closing in on setting a new V/AFL possessions record for the most consecutive games with 20 or more disposals.

Serong's Round 20 performance equalled Western Bulldogs gun Jack Macrae's 70 matches but is in line to be toppled, hinting at the extreme consistency of the young Docker.

Speaking on Monday, the humble midfielder continues to look at how he can improve his game but narrowed it down to one aspect of his weekly routine that has seen his spike in form.

"I like to think I don't lift (my performance) based on the game," he said.

"I like to repeat how I play week-in, week-out, and it's something that I've worked pretty heavily on with my mental skills. Work with sports psychologist... it's a big focus.

"So when we do get to Grand Final day, whenever that is, I won't feel like I have to lift for the occasion.

"Every time I train, every time I play, I want it to be at the elite level and that intensity so I'm ready to go when that time comes.

"I (implemented the mental strengthening into my game) ahead of last season and credited a lot of improvement in my game and the consistency to that work I've done and it hasn't changed in the last 18 to 24 months."

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The modern game has never relied more heavily on being mentally tough, with multiple stars of the competition leaning on sports psychologists to help improve their game.

Serong believes it's just as important as the physical preparation that goes into a season.

"It's just as important, no doubt", Serong continued.

"I think you can have the physical side of the game down pat and then if the mental side isn't at the same level or doesn't contribute in a positive way, it can affect the way you play.

"For me, leading into last year, my high-level stuff was at a level that I could be an (elite) contributor at AFL level and I didn't do it week-in, week-out, so it was something I wanted to go to work on."

Serong's sole focus is playing his part in taking the Dockers to the final Saturday of the season to the point that all individual accomplishments are pushed aside in the quest for glory.

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"I've got a little tub at home," Serong quipped.

"Not on display at the moment. I don't think I'd ever put any on display while I'm still playing.

"Maybe afterwards when there's a bit of reflection when I finish up.

"But they're in a box tucked away somewhere."

Since the club's bye in Round 13, Justin Longmuir's men have turned seven starts into five wins, including a contest against ladder-leaders Sydney at the SCG a month ago.