Last year’s minor premiers have fallen miserably, finishing third last in a torrid season of football.
What’s gone right?
Not a lot of positives to take out of the season unfortunately, but the injection of youngsters such as Lachie Weller, Ethan Hughes, Darcy Tucker, Connor Blakely, Ed Langdon and Sam Collins has been a breath of fresh air and a rarity in a Ross Lyon side.
All of these youngsters will be better off for the experience and have each showed some positive signs that they will be solid players for the club.
Another positive is that the Dockers were able to remain competitive in most games, despite missing most of their star power, including Nat Fyfe, for the majority of the season.
Ross the Boss has built some depth within the playing squad.
What’s gone wrong?
The Dockers struggled to kick a winning score all season, averaging a miserable 71 points, the second-fewest in the competition.
What has been worrying is that no tall forward has been able to inject themselves consistently, something that was an issue even in their grand final year in 2013.
The Dockers have been ravaged by injury all season, with both reigning Brownlow medalist Fyfe and champion ruckman Aaron Sandilands hardly playing, and reliable defender Michael Johnson out all year.
This created a hole in the Dockers’ plans, and was probably the reason behind the substantial drop of a team that was supposed to push for a premiership, but has arguably been the most disappointing of the season.
Best and fairest
Through this tough season, a star was born: Lachie Neale.
The pint-sized ball magnet has averaged over 30 disposals, number one in the AFL, and has been a consistent force in the engine room. He should be rewarded with a best and fairest victory that will be as comprehensive as there has ever been.
Other solid contributors have been captain David Mundy, Michael Walters, Danyle Pearce, Stephen Hill, and the much-improved Tom Sheridan.
1. Lachie Neale
2. David Mundy
3. Stephen Hill
4. Michael Walters
5. Tom Sheridan
Can they make finals in 2017?
With Fyfe, Johnson, Sandilands and Harley Bennell fit, Freo will be one of those sides pushing for a spot, but they will fall short again due to their inexperience, and the possibility of a major turnover of the list.
But Lyon is capable of anything, and his sides don’t stay down for long.
Possible delistings
Matt De Boer
Brady Grey
Anthony Morabito
Jack Hannath
Tendai Mzungu
Current draft order
3, 39, 57
The next big thing
The smooth-moving Lachie Weller played all 22 games in just his second season and looks like he is going to be a future star – he oozes class and is clever in front of goal.
In a side that won just four games, it is an exceptional season from the youngster.
In the off season
The Dockers are set to be one of the major players, with experienced players such as Chris Mayne, Nick Suban, Matt De Boer and Hayden Ballantyne all likely to join rival clubs in order to fit in their desired targets of Brad Hill, Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten.
Fremantle will be desperate to hold onto pick three and grab electrifying half forward Sam Petrovoski-Seton from Western Australia, and will look to add the above players in what Ross would be hoping is a return to finals football in 2017.
Getting a fit and firing Bennell will also be a priority, as well as working on their ball movement and finding more avenues to goal in 2017, as only four players averaged over a goal in 2016.
Big off-season for Ross and his troops.
Rating
D+
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