Despite the mixed reviews I received from my last article, I am about to do it again. This time I write it after my beloved Fremantle Dockers’ round two match against the Western Bulldogs.
This time I will let my allegiance shine through – although I must add that I write it at 3.00am again.
It was quite comical hearing the noise coming from Victoria before round one of the home and away season concerning West Coast’s prospects in 2013.
It was more comical to hear people outside of Fremantle’s ever-optimistic fan base claiming that Fremantle are now a chance of the flag, after the Eagles’ second-half capitulation in the round one derby.
Before proceeding with this article, it must be said that West Coast have obviously set the bench mark for West Australian AFL teams.
Three flags since 1987 is some feat. Fremantle have yet to win any sort of recognition or accolades in an AFL history spanning some 18 years.
Is it any coincidence that as a club, outwardly at least, we celebrate a derby win over our much more successful older brother?
Why would we not rate our mettle as a legitimate WA AFL franchise against another WA team who has had so much success, when we do manage to beat them?
They are obviously the benchmark for a Western Australian AFL club. So why should Fremantle not celebrate small victories, when we have yet to taste the ultimate success?
This brings us back to the heart of the matter. Keeping in mind that the majority of AFL captains tipped West Coast as legitimate flag contenders for the 2013 season, it is interesting to note, after round one, how quickly the pundits fell off the Eagles as flag favourites and installed the Dockers as a more favoured flag prospect.
Although it is only one game. Leading into round two, some facts must come to bare. Fremantle are now into their second year with Ross Lyon as coach (their first as a non-rookie).
Lyon, after his second year as senior coach of the Saints lead the his team to the finals.
He managed this in his first at Fremantle, and in doing so managed to equal the best ever home and away result the club has seen.
The prospects of year two in his tenure of Fremantle only look better.
It must be said that Ross now has more to work with than the six or so out-and-out stars that saw the Saints undefeated in 2009 until the last match in September and one point shy of ultimate success in 2010.
What he does with fringe players is amazing. If he took St Kilda to consecutive grand finals with a few stars to round out an otherwise seemingly average list.
What is in store for the Dockers in the here and now? The likes of David Mundy, Michael Barlow (both now fully fit and firing), Nathnan Fyfe, Stephen Hill and newly recruited Danyle Pearce in the midfield.
They’re backed up by the once de-listed Clancee Pearce, Matt de Boer, who is an unheralded champion of the vogue term ‘defensive forward’, who can also play in play in the centre, coupled with Ryan Crowley, arguably the game’s best stopper and Jonathan Griffen, Fremantle now have a midfield that can rival any team.
When the sometimes erratic but occasionally brilliant Tendai Mzungu is added that equates to 10 players who can break a game open.
So with all this in mind Fremantle faced an injury ravaged West Coast midfield, missing stars, Rossa, Natanui, Kerr and new recruit Wellingham.
It took until game day for the odds to drop in Fremantle’s favour. This was astonishing, granted it took the Dockers the better part of three quarters to establish dominance on the score board and around the ground, eventually the midfield took control, making the Eagles look anything but flag contenders.
The fact that Matthew Pavlich did not kick a major, Chris Mayne was relatively quiet and Hayden Ballantyne was tagged out of an influential role by Adam Selwood did not impact on the result.
There where too many other contributors and West Coast had no answer for Hills 1st half dominance nor Danyle Pearce’s second-half run and carry.
It must be said that his role and influence will only allow allow Hill to grow into the player he has alluded to in the past and allow him him to live up to the fact he was drafted so early.
All said and done it is now interesting to see that the Fremantle faithful are quietly confident, yet the mainstream media are trumpeting them as a force to be reckoned with come September.
What a difference a year makes.
nmj1654
Roar Rookie
Rose coloured glasses. McPharlin has been consistent but never great. There's no evidence he should have been selected in years gone by except for 2012. Walters has run and zip but goes missing too often. If he can get four quarters under his belt and kick bags like the best small forwards do, he'll go a long way to solving the life after Pavlich question, providing they can find another lynchpin. Sandilands has questioned himself whether or not he will be back. He lacks form, fitness and confidence, and we'll be lucky to see the big man get back to his best. Griffin has been workmanlike but been dominated in the ruck, particularly against Will Minson. Fremantle are a great unit together but like many teams, you take them apart and you have your nucleus of stars, and the structural plodders.
Docker from the Hills
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the words of wisdom. I would find it much easier to follow your team if most fans were as magnanimous as you.
Ash Lemson
Roar Rookie
Great stuff mate, as a dockers fan since the beginning (was only 5 then), I have never really thought we were genuine contenders until now. Lyon is wb excellent coach, Pav is our best captain and greatest player but unlike in the past when we had a few stars carry us (Allan, Farmer, Haselby) we now have a 22 great players. Even the fringe players like Crozier and Sutcliffe are performing well and I felt Crozier was stuff not to be playing this week. Let's just hope (and pray) that we can keep it up the whole year and not perform in patches like we have in the past.
Docker from the Hills
Roar Rookie
I am pretty sure he will be back to full training in four weeks.
Docker from the Hills
Roar Rookie
The main thing that strikes me with your comparison of good players is the age difference. Of the players I listed, Crowley is the oldest at 29, then Mundy at 27. The majority are at the start of their career. I am pretty sure that one quarter of the 22 named today were recruited in 2008. So apart from Pavlich, MacPharlin (bookends) and Sandilands, who we can obviously play and win without, the remaining squad will around and round abouts the right level for some time.
Jax
Guest
Peter Sumich is under-rated and all the credit is given to Lyon. Suma has a lot to do with the newer, more attacking game plan and he knows WC inside out. It's a powerful coaching duo no doubt but Suma is the attacking icing on the cake.
Docker from the Hills
Roar Rookie
Personally, I enjoy watching the Docker's new game style. I agree that some Saint's games were a little boring to watch but I don't feel that the same tag can be applied to Freo under Ross. I think there has been, so far, a good mix of defensive pressure and offensive strikes. Watching the Saints under Ross play the Bombers reminded me very much of a rugby union match. Watch tomorrow night and judge for yourself if this is still the case.
Balthazar
Guest
That is simply ill-informed. McPharlap deserved his AA last year, should have happened the year before (at least). He monstered your lot last week Walters will be the best small forward in the comp by the end of the year. Unfotunately for all the other teams, Sandi will be back
nmj1654
Roar Rookie
McPharlin and Walters are decidedly average. McPharlin is an honest toiler and Walters has flashes of brilliance but long periods of nothing. I only didn't include Sandilands because he has barely been on the park for 2 years and won't be this year.
Balthazar
Guest
you're forgetting McPharlin, Sandilands and Walters. Just saying
Andrew Sertori
Roar Rookie
Good read, i like what lyon is doing. Were is morobito at mate?
nmj1654
Roar Rookie
Fremantle's list now is no better than St Kilda's was in 2009. Yes, Fremantle of today does have stars and rising stars such as Pavlich, Fyfe, de Boer (star? Debatable), Mundy, Mayne, Barlow, Danyle Pearce, Clancee Pearce and perhaps the league's best tagger in Crowley. However St Kilda of 2009 had Riewoldt, Dal Santo, Montagna, Goddard, Fisher, Gilbert, Hayes, Milne and two of the league's best taggers in Clint Jones and Steven Baker. The bottom line is Ross Lyon. The man is the consummate professional. He has turned 2 basket cases into sides capable of going all the way. All sides have their select group of stars. It's how they function as a unit that decides their fate. As Mark Neeld (god help him) said in one of his first addresses to his playing group, "Everyone has a role to play in the structure and when it's their turn they must go." Every fringe player fits in, whether it be the chain from flank to flank, as a like-for-like replacement for a regular, as a high marking half forward, as a loose back. Lyon has more cash to spend football department-wise, but no more skills to spend. He will extract the best from the average majority, and the stars will take care of themselves.
Drew
Guest
Easy thing to criticise Lyons 'boring game style' - but just watch our games and you'll realise it is about quick and sharp ball movement, not boring at all. Different game plan for different cattle.
Slane
Guest
I'll be interested to see how long it takes for the Haze to get sick of Ross Lyon's brilliant but boring game style. I could barely stand to watch a saints game when he was in charge; 15 minutes of back and forth without any scoring is a little too reminiscent of soccer for my tastes. Hope Freo doesn't go down the same path.
flying_high
Guest
Fair play mate, and while it pains me to say it (as a died in the wool wce man) things are looking very rosy with the haze at present and if it isn't to be our year I sincerely hope the stars align this year for your mob.