FREMANTLE defender Judd McVee has paid tribute to coach Justin Longmuir and a crucial mid-season meeting that restored his confidence and laid a path for the former Melbourne half-back to play in his first Grand Final. 

Recruited to the Dockers ahead of this season to bolster the team's ball movement out of defence, McVee had his ups and downs through the first half of the year and was struggling for form when Longmuir called him into his office to watch some vision. 

There were highlights from 2026 that the coach had cut to show McVee how important he could for Freo, as well as areas for improvement as the 23-year-old adjusted to playing in a new backline. 

While he was dropped for the qualifying final, McVee has bounced back well and showed in the fourth quarter against the Swans that he could stand up under pressure with some key contest wins, pressure efforts and neat disposals. 

Having the support of his coach has been crucial for the childhood Fremantle fan.

"JL's good like that, and I've never really had a coach who backs me as much as JL and cares as much as he does," McVee told AFL.com.au. 

"He sat me down in his office and we just watched over a few things. I really think that's helped me this year. 

"Just his ability to back me in and stand by me in a bit of a form slump really helped me out and gave me a lot of confidence."

McVee has also worked closely with backline coach Jade Rawlings this season, particularly on his contest work late in the year after finding himself out of the team against Adelaide in round 23 and for the Dockers' first final.

Brandon Walker's ankle injury opened the door for him to return immediately for the semi-final against Geelong, and the contest work McVee had done paid off late against the Swans, winning an important one-on-one against Tom Papley on the last line, and launching at the small forward to apply critical pressure in two key moments.  

"It has been tough. Early in the year I was playing, but just getting games and I didn't have that continuity with everyone in the backline," McVee said of his year overall. 

"Then I feel like I found some good form in the middle part of the year and then faced some challenges again. 

"There was just a bit of confidence and then obviously my contest was letting me down a little bit. 

"So I think just getting back to contest, getting back to defending and just backing myself in has helped. 

"It's been an up and down year, but I feel like I've handled myself well and come out the other side and I'm ready to go."

McVee battled illness when he first arrived at Freo and was living with teammate Jordan Clark, but he made an impression thereafter with his unflappable nature.   

His poise and skill has been on show in flashes this season, but the club has leant heavily on him as a backman who can handle opposition small forwards.  

A defender first and foremost, the No.17 said he would be ready for whichever small forward falls to him in Saturday's Grand Final. 

"I'll always be a defender, that's for sure. It's my one wood and I love doing it," McVee said.

"The offensive side of things I'm still working on and picking the brains of Jordy (Clark) and a few of the others down there and I'll add that on and keep extending my game. 

"(Playing on the small forwards) is pretty hard. You do your homework on who you've got, because those types of players don't need much space or much time and they're kicking some pretty nice snags.

"So just limit their impact and defend like hell is the way we go about it."

A quiet personality from Geraldton in WA's mid-west, McVee said he felt at home quickly when he met with the Dockers last year about a move back to his home state. 

The club's culture and family focus appealed to him, as well as how close the players were outside of football, with defensive sidekick Clark playing an important role in the recruitment process. 

It was the speed at which he connected with Longmuir, however, that left a lasting impression before a trade was organised with the Demons in exchange for pick No.23. 

"As we walked out after I met him for the first time, my manager (Jason Dover) said gee you two got on really well and really quickly," McVee said. 

"I think that's just the type of people we are, a bit quiet and introverted, and those people tend to stick together I guess.

"Coming into a new team is a bit of a challenge, but I feel like I can be myself here, and that's grown over the year. 

"I'm just so stoked and happy to be in the position I am right now and playing on the last day."