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Fremantle’s patient approach to the silly season may leave a few holes unplugged as the end to the 2014 AFL Trade Period looms without a single deal done.
It seems that every side has been mentioned in one way or another this trade period except for the Dockers.
Would Ross Lyon want it any other way? Of course not.
The only real news to come out of Fremantle was Irish Category B rookie Sean Hurley earning a spot on the rookie list after training with the club from 2013.
Since an early rumour regarding the Dockers’ chase of North Melbourne key forward Aaron Black was put to bed, the 2013 grand finalists have been far quieter than any of their competitors.
As is becoming a trend for the AFL’s underachievers, the list issues that appear minor now have been either patched over to little effect or swept under the carpet in another dismal offseason.
Ageing defensive duo Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson managed just 13 and 18 games respectively this year, with question marks surrounding the impact they can have next year.
Attempts to ease pressure on Captain and key forward Matthew Pavlich by recruiting Colin Sylvia from Melbourne and Scott Gumbleton from the Bombers failed miserably, while Danyle Pearce has under-delivered in finals since joining in 2011.
Brought to the club as an x-factor, Pearce was wasteful in the 2013 Grand Final and far below average in the semi-final loss to Port Adelaide this season.
Showing interest in Aaron Black suggests that Fremantle are aware of their need for a power forward to take over the reigns as Pavlich spends less time in the goal-square.
Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke both spent time in that role this year, but couldn’t have quite the same impact as a genuine forward and both are far more valuable in the ruck.
Matt Taberner showed promise throughout the year but still needs work if he is going to be considered the first choice.
Signing a top-dollar full forward may make the difference between Fremantle going around again next year or ‘doing a St. Kilda’ and falling out of relevance.
The Dockers already have one of the competition’s highest-rated small forward combinations in Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne.
Throwing in a big body to target in the goal square would potentially give Ballantyne and Walters greater opportunities should the ball go to ground.
There is reason to argue that Fremantle missed the boat on signing Buddy Franklin last year. Despite seeming set to join the Swans as early as 2012, a loaded contract may have been enough to lure the Perth-born superstar back home.
How does a forward line featuring Pavlich, Ballantyne, Walters, Chris Mayne and Buddy Franklin sound? Throw in Nathan Fyfe for good measure and you are looking at an outfit set to contend for years after Pavlich’s retirement.
But would Buddy have fit the Lyon defensive mould?
Averaging three tackles per game this year, the most of any power forward, there is no immediate reason to say why not.
But Buddy is a Swan for life. So who else is on the market?
GWS Giant Jon Patton may have been the answer if not for the tragic injury problems that have again put his career on hold, and teammate Tom Boyd has nominated the Bulldogs as his preferred home.
Are Freo making a mistake by not playing hard-ball, not chasing players in the style of the Hawthorns and Sydneys of the AFL?
Maybe, but by no means are Fremantle out of the Premiership race.
The Dockers played at their brilliant best when they defeated the Hawks at Paterson’s Stadium in Round 21, so there is an argument to make that Freo’s problem is not their list, but their inconsistency.
When all players perform to their peaks, as was the case in the Round 21 game and the majority of the 2013 season, the Dockers are a genuine Premiership threat.
Ross Lyon continues to show tremendous faith in this list for good reason. His game-plan relies on team effort rather than individual performance, which explains the cautious approach to the trade scene.
There is time left to grab a bargain should the Dockers make a play and hijack one of the ‘sure thing’ deals that appears all but done.
With a few days to go in the trade period and big names still yet to sign for new homes (Mitch Clark, Ryan Griffen, Tom Boyd, Travis Varcoe), Fremantle could yet make the trade that breaks their Premiership duck.
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