Fremantle Coach Mark Harvey has been heavily criticised for fielding an old team, with no future prospects. However, the critics may be forced to retract their comments with Fremantle now fielding two Rising Star nominations so far this season, the first team to do so.
Rhys Palmer was the first nomination after his stellar performance in the Dockers only win this season against cross town rivals, the West Coast Eagles.
Palmer, was selected by the Dockers with selection No.7 in the 2007 AFL Draft. He received a clip from Brett Staker and had to have 10 stitches during the first quarter.
He played on despite the head wound and went on to show immense courage to record 24 touches in the Dockers’ 14-point win.
Young midfielder Garrick Ibbotson has been nominated for the Round 9 Rising Star nomination. He was Fremantle’s best player in its loss to Carlton, using creative play from defence and continuing to pull in impressive marks all day.
It was only the 20-year-old’s seventh AFL match since debuting in Round 11 last year. This season he is averaging 19 disposals a match.
Chris Mayne was also serviceable after his return from injury. Prior to that he was impressive in the Derby win.
Young former Essendon player Keepler Bradley has also rewarded the faith Harvey showed in him after being discarded by Essendon at the end of 2007, being one of Freo’s most consistent big men.
Ruckman Robbie Warnock has shown a great deal of promise and is reportedly in much demand from Melbourne-based clubs. However, Harvey believes that Warnock will stay with Fremantle and become an important part of the side.
In a difficult year for the Dockers, they have used more players from their list than any other side. And, in doing so, have proved that their list shows much promise for the following seasons.
Guy Smiley
Guest
I like Freo, I really do, and although they are not my team, I would love to see them do well. I can agree with you on McPharlin but both Farmer and Carr have traded on their reputation since moving from Melbourne and Port and been indulged by the Freo heirarchy. It appears Mark Harvey might finally have addresses the Carr issue by warning him about his discipline record - Mark Williams knew how to tame Carr just enough not to lose his firebrand nature but to ensure he just steered clear of getting reported more than necessary. Farmer has been a sporadically exciting presence up forward but has never been a consistent threat. As for the prima-donna hands up to heaven crap after every goal, well you've got to be a seriously good player to get away with that and even then it doesn't sit well with the Australian psyche and team-first ethos so vital in this great sport. When Croad came here it was clear he suddently thought he was a big fish in a small pond. Everyone involved in that fiasco was quickly exposed. Headland has been exposed as a player who needs A grade materiel around him to prosper and that hasn't happened at Freo. Tarrant while a very hard worker with an honest attitude is mentally soft and needs to dominate, toughen up. Solomon has been by and large very good but Mark Johnson a total waste of time and money. I cannot emphasise how good a player Palmer has been so far I just wouldn't like to see him burn out. Ibbotson too looks very exciting and Mayne pretty solid. Here's hoping they are on the up as all jokes aside I think most people are tired of feeling sorry for them.
Mark E
Guest
Its not fantastic optimisim...The facts are two of Freos young players have been nominated for the premier up and coming players award, and its only week 9. I agree with your assesment of our trading history in the early years, but recently we have done very well with our trades. Mc Pharlin, Farmer, Josh Carr. I obviously support Fremantle...but those are the facts.
Guy Smiley
Guest
You have fantastic optimism Mark and those three players, Palmer in particular look very promising. But like your recent posts about Freo you really are looking at your world through rose-tinted glasses. Freo have wasted years going round in circles, tuned good players into poor players and traded average players only to watch them improve vastly in a different club. They are the only club without a premiership to their name. Every year I think surely the penny will finally drop but every year they fall into the same trap - inability to master the basics when games get tight and a ridiculously tolerant approach to out of form players
The Substitute
Guest
Mark, Just to put it into "premiership window" perspective: This time last year, Geelong had two nominations. Joel Selwood went on to win the medal, as I have a good feeling Rhys Palmer will do this year. Just because you have a couple of young stand-outs does not necessarily mean that you are building around youth. Mark Hervey's odd recruiting technique at the end of last year has yet to win me over.