Shane Kersten Biography

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he has reassured disgruntled player manager Colin Young after he voiced "serious concerns" over the Dockers' injury rehabilitation programs.

Young has negotiated early exits for two of his clients, Harley Bennell and Shane Kersten, from their expiring contracts to undergo individual recovery plans after both failed to get on the park for the Dockers this season.

"I think if you've got players at your club and there's been some long-term concern, you're entitled to ask and contact the club," Lyon said.

"You'd like the vehicles to remain private, but no one is working harder to explore and find solutions than our medical and conditioning team."

Fremantle defends its management of Shane Kersten's season-long foot injury after powerful player manager Colin Young called for an immediate review of the club's rehabilitation programs.

Kersten has followed another of Young's clients, Harley Bennell, in negotiating an early release from his expiring contract as the WA-based manager voiced major concerns about the Dockers' injury management.

"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," Young told The West Australian.

"Immediate changes need to be made or the club is going nowhere."

Fremantle's football boss Peter Bell backed the club's handling of Kersten's injury.

"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," Bell said.

"Part of their important role is to mitigate the impact of an injury a player incurs when playing or training and we are always looking to enhance and improve our operations.

"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 support Shane with our player welfare services."

Shane Kersten quits the Dockers after a split with coach Ross Lyon.

Kersten and Lyon's relationship has been fractured for some months and dates back to a confrontation between the pair following the departure of Lachie Neale to Brisbane.

Kersten has failed to play football at AFL or WAFL level in 2019 after a pre-season foot injury and has rarely been sighted at the club’s Cockburn facilities throughout the year.

Shane Kersten has been sent for scans after aggravating a plantar fascia injury at training.

"It appears that Shane sustained a tear to the plantar fascia in his left foot during a training drill today," a Fremantle club spokesman said.

"While Shane will experience some pain and discomfort in the short-term, in the long-term he will benefit by having the plantar fascia released."

Fremantle will experiment with forward Shane Kersten as a defender in the hope he can reinvent himself.

"We know what he can do forward, he's probably in and out, been stalled, but he's a very good athlete, good footy nous, maybe he's better down back," Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said.

"He's happy to try and reinvent himself, so we're experimenting a little bit."

Shane Kersten is sent for X-rays following Fremantle's after-the-siren win over Collingwood.

Kersten landed heavily on the wing after a marking contest on the stroke of half-time in Mandurah, and took his time to get to his feet.

The former Geelong forward, who was quiet with just four touches before the incident, was taken to hospital soon afterwards.

"He's gone off for X-rays. Chris Bond (football manager) will head off to the hospital now. His parents are aware of it," Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said post-match.

"Hopefully it turns out OK, we're not too sure. It looks like ribs to me."

Shane Kersten is back in full training with the Dockers following a bout of food poisoning, but defender Joel Hamling was still absent from the track after also being struck down by a dodgy pizza.

In the latest episode in Freo's eventful pre-season, the prized recruits and close mates were sidelined from main training last week after eating pizza from a local restaurant.

Former Western Bulldogs premiership defender Hamling's illness was serious enough for him to be admitted to hospital, although the 23-year-old has since returned to the club on light duties.

Shane Kersten has revealed he and best mate Joel Hamling discussed the prospect of returning home to play for a West Australian team several times throughout the year.

That dream became a reality when former Geelong forward Kersten and Western Bulldogs premiership defender Hamling secured moves to the Dockers during the NAB AFL Trade Period.

"We had the odd chat every now and again and we both obviously knew what we had ahead of us and the opportunity the Fremantle Football Club was willing to give us. I think we both made the right decision," Kersten said.

"It was only two years ago that I was playing alongside him and then to be given this opportunity back in our home state to play alongside each other at Fremantle is something pretty special."

Shane Kersten says a desire for a fresh start and the opportunity to be close to family were the motivations behind his decision to move to Fremantle.

"I had a couple of meetings with Ross and Brad Lloyd, the list manager, and I just thought it was a good opportunity at this stage in my career to get back to Perth to friends and family," he said.

"I've missed my brother growing up and playing football and the fact that I could be back here with my parents was a big one."

Shane Kersten is off to Fremantle after the Cats and Dockers brokered a trade for the tall forward on Thursday morning.

Geelong has received Fremantle's fourth-round selection (pick No.63 overall).

"Shane had a strong year in 2016 playing in Geelong’s forward line, where he showed his ability to play his role and kick goals," Fremantle list manager Brad Lloyd said.

"We look forward to Shane adding to Fremantle’s forward line and being a long-term player for the club."

Shane Kersten requests a trade to Fremantle after 37 games with the Cats.

The 23-year-old played 17 games and kicked 22 goals in 2016 but did not play for the Cats in their two finals.

The future of emerging Geelong forward Shane Kersten remains in limbo, with Fremantle one of several clubs interested in the uncontracted 23-year-old.

The West Australian looked to have cemented his place in the Cats' line-up when he played 13 games in the first 14 rounds, but he played just four more games for the season and did not play finals.

Shane Kersten kicks a career-high four goals in the Cats' 120-point victory over Gold Coast at Simonds Stadium and says the coaching staff have given him the freedom to go for his marks.

"I've just been told to fly for my marks," Kersten said.

"I'm just happy to do my bit and whatever that is I'm happy to keep doing it.

"As I get a bit of continuity in my football I'm getting that confidence that I feel like I belong here."

Shane Kersten kicks three goals on debut for Geelong in a 40-point loss to Gold Coast.

"It was a really positive debut for him," Geelong coach Chris Scott said.

"We never went into this game thinking he had to prove himself in this game.

"He's going to get a good run at it I would have thought if he keeps applying himself the way he has."

Shane Kersten makes his AFL debut for Geelong with 10 disposals (9 kicks and a handball), 7 marks, 4 tackles and 3 goals in a 40-point loss to Gold Coast.

Geelong re-sign young key position players Shane Kersten and Joel Hamling.

Geelong VFL coach Matthew Knights says Shane Kersten will be ready to make his debut as part of the Cats' finals campaign should he be called upon to do so.

"He's progressing well (but) still has a lot to work on as a young player. He's only in his second year. He's developing his game …is a beautiful kick (and) a lovely mark. His defensive pressure is getting better all the time," Knights said.

"He is still a work in progress but getting better and I am sure he would handle himself well in front of 90,000 people."

As Tom Hawkins continues to struggle with back problems, Geelong coach Chris Scott says he may call on untried forward Shane Kersten, who has booted 36 goals in 11 VFL games this year, to make his debut.

"Shane Kersten's been very solid in the VFL this year," Scott said.

"He's been unfortunate at times to miss with injury when he was on the precipice of senior selection.

"I'm bringing it up as an option. It's not a guarantee. It's probably not even a likelihood that we would bring him in.

"But (if we don't) it won't be because we're worried that he won't perform on the big stage."