On Sunday I finally got a team into the finals for my preview series, with the Bombers continuing to defy the odds.
Today I look at Fremantle who would be bitterly disappointed by their season just gone.
Last season
Coming off a grand final defeat the season prior, the Dockers were expected to be in the hunt once again. The season was a failure though, Fremantle showing ominous form but finishing sixth after experimenting with a more attacking style of football.
Nat Fyfe was again a star, stamping himself as the genuine contender to Gary Ablett as the competition’s best player. Serial pest Hayden Ballantyne was also outstanding in securing an All Australian spot.
Next season
Unbelievably the Dockers were quiet over the trade period with many expecting they would once again throw the kitchen sink at a key forward. A full season from Michael Walters will boost their attacking options while a number of youngsters looked right at home last year, giving them more depth.
Patersons provides a difficult cauldron for visiting teams with Fremantle very hard to break down at home. This will give the Dockers enough wins to be sitting in the third to sixth bracket but I fail to see them going past the second week of finals.
Who to look out for
Fyfe is the obvious choice as he gets better each season and expect him to give the Brownlow a shake provided he steers clear of the bump. Of the younger cattle, Hayden Crozier looks to be an exciting prospect. With a vertical leap to give Jamie Elliott a run for his money, Crozier could be used as a medium-sized forward, increasing the Dockers’ options going forward.
Needs a big year
Chris Mayne was close to the first pick in 2013 with his ability to create a contest and high tackle count. With a more open brand of football last season he struggled to adapt to spending more time as an attacking option rather than a defensive forward. His saving grace is the minimal competition for a key forward post but he still needs more goals to his name.
Best 22
FB: Spurr, Dawson, Johnson
HB: Ibbotson, McPharlin, Duffield
C: Mzungu, Barlow, Hill
HF: Ballantyne, Mayne, Fyfe
FF: Walters, Pavlich, Clarke
R: Sandilands, Mundy, Crowley
I: Sutcliffe, Neale, D. Pearce, Crozier
johno
Guest
true - Cam does write some thoughtful pieces (even knows more players than just Fyfe and Pav)
johno
Guest
Missed games for Freo in 2014 Walters - 16 Ibbotson - 12 McPharlin - 11 De Boer - 10 Johnson - 6 Barlow - 5 Fyfe - 4 Hill - 4 Ballantyne - 4 Pav - 2 So the real issue was the bakline where 3 of our best in PcP, Johno and Ibbo missed a combined 29 games The big up for Freo in 2015 is the improvement from these players (fingers crossed) - Morabito, Crozier, Taberner, Apeness, Alex Pearce, Sherridan, Mayne,
anchorman
Roar Rookie
Paulie, we are not touchy, just sick and tired of those who know J/S about the running of our football club having a snipe at us. For too long it has been an easy thing to write crap about our club, Yep we deserved a whole heap of it, but some journos haven't seen or been prepared to see the change that has occurred at the football club over the last five or six years. Maybe touchy, but we have a right to be over such shallow journalism. Obviously he hasn't taken the time to do any study on our playing list. Rant over.
anchorman
Guest
Sam , have a look at the article written today by Cameron Palmer, Saturday 29th November and see where Fremantle have looked ahead to the future in previous drafts. It is an interesting article and makes your shallow review pale into insignificance.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
He missed relatively few games.. went missing in a few he played though, which he didn't do a few years back.
Don Freo
Guest
Not Pav. He missed very little. 8 other players missed many games. A bit patronizing there, Paul.
Craig
Guest
No need to be rude . . .
Paul D
Roar Guru
As one of the other commentators said, you guys are very touchy! At least you're not as bad as Carlton fans. I think it's pretty obvious that the guy writing these previews only has a basic knowledge of each club, and is writing them in a fairly vague, broad strokes sort of way, because he's bored of all the soccer & cricket coverage and wants to talk AFL. Don't read too much into what one uninformed dude has to say. It's the offseason, obviously the Roar's editors decided we need a bit of filler for that AFL tab. Just wait till March and the pre-season comp, we'll all have a much better idea of how we're tracking then. For what it's worth I thought Freo had a tough season last year, and did well to finish where they did, given Pav was out for a fair chunk of the year, Michael Walters missed most of the season, and they had injuries to key players at crucial times throughout. Better luck this season!
Tom from Perth
Guest
Gold
Don Freo
Guest
Yep...the author must have read an article about Freo...written 3 years ago.
Demark
Guest
Sam very basic review here nothing worth reading, and just maybe a little respect needed with regards to a current all australian in Ballantyne he offers a hell of a lot more than just a'serial pest tag'
Martin
Guest
Fremantle have enough experience playing in finals to given themselves the composure and steadiness to make their scoring shots count. I am expecting the Dockers to win the grand final in 2015.
Don Freo
Guest
Moras will slip into Fyfey's slot if he takes a while. Recruit of the year!
Balthazar
Guest
Sandi will be fine... as they say, he's not going to get any shorter. Also, he hadn't played too much in the previous 2 years so wear and tear doesn't seem to be a problem Personally, I rate Freo as better than Port and with better depth too. If they had kicked straight in the first half last time they met, Port would never gave got back into the game. They have a reasonable record against Sydney and their final in Sydney was therefore pretty disappointing. They have always had problems with the Hawks but hopefully have turned the corner; their last game was a convincing win from which they'll gain a bit of confidence they should be right in the premiership mix, if young Nathan recovers quickly.
Radelaide
Guest
They don't rely on Pav that much so his age is not a problem but the one who I would be concerned about is Sandilands as he will be 32 for next year's season but he was so dominant this year so he still could be AA next year which will hold Freo in good stead. The rest of the team looks as if they are still in the mix and Ross always keeps his teams competitive but to win a premiership might be a bridge too far especially if Port do what I hope and Sydney still keep Franklin firing. and then of course there's Hawthorn.
CAllen
Guest
Um.................no?
Don Freo
Guest
Caught you out there, didn't we?
CAllen
Guest
There are distretionary picks and other adjustments etc, but the starting point is based on where the teams finish the AFL season, which is not always the same place for those in the top 8 at the end of the home and away season. I was just pointing out that the author was correct in stating Fremantle infact finished 6th and not 4th
pauliewalnuts
Guest
Gee, touchy bunch these Dockers fans. But I actually like Freo, I think their best 22 is very good. Well 21, if in you're 22 you're including Danyle Pearce.
Don Freo
Guest
How do you think that pecking order is determined?