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When Fremantle were 50 points up against Geelong in the semi-final of 2012, the football world was stunned.
Despite Fremantle’s tenacity at the ball and the man there was a lingering feeling the Cats would mount an inevitable comeback.
After all this was a seasoned side that had won three flags in six years, one of the greatest teams of all time. Surely this wasn’t the way their season ended?
Well it did. Geelong were put to the sword by a virtuoso finals effort from skipper Matthew Pavlich, kicking six of the finest on the hallowed MCG turf.
They did fall at the second last hurdle, albeit to a red-hot Adelaide at home, but this 2013 team has a winning look about them.
The Dockers could be on the brink of something very special.
The acquisition of Ross Lyon at the beginning of last year was controversial at the time, but has proved to be a master stroke.
Aside from Pavlich and Sandilands their best players are on the good side of 28 and they find themselves sitting a very comfy 10-3-1 alongside the reigning premier, who they had beaten before the Swans stole a draw from the jaws of defeat at the SCG in Round 8 this year.
We all know about the Ross Lyon defensive strangle that elevated the Saints to two grand finals, it has been well and truly on show at Freo with players like Ibbotson, Johnson and McPharlin the generals of a back-line that has conceded fewer points per game (68) than any other in the competition.
West Coast counterpart John Worsfold knows the challenge that lies ahead for his players in the lead up to the derby this weekend, saying on Wednesday that this is arguably the best Dockers outfit he has seen.
“Their list is great and they are performing at an elite level consistently,” Worsfold said.
“In 2006 they had a wonderful year, but I think the way they are going at the moment, they have the position to at least match that.”
Along with their miserly defensive pressure, the depth at Fremantle is a factor resembling the Collingwood of 2010 and the Sydney of last year.
Despite long-term injuries to Pavlich and big Sandilands, their voids have barely scratched the surface with players like Zac Clarke and Chris Mayne taking on critical roles in the starting 22.
Even with Stephen Hill lacking his usual burst and Ballantyne not performing to the level he was last year, we have seen Freo bat very deep with their midfield generals Barlow, Mundy and Fyfe having outstanding years and Michael Walters being in All Australian form.
It’s been 18 years since they came into the AFL but who knows, maybe the purple haze might just add a flag to its cabinet prior to its 20th anniversary.
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