The Fremantle Dockers’ 2015 season can be compared to a chocolate cake at a really good restaurant.
It passes all initial tests with flying colours: it looks pretty, tastes delicious, and you feel like nothing could be better.
As you get deeper into it though, you find some uncooked spots, some cracks in the mixture, and you begin to question how good it actually is.
You finish disappointed – all the more so after the how great it was at the beginning.
The Dockers’ flying, 9-0 start to 2015 put them on track for a historic home-and-away season, and had people raving about how dominant they could be.
While they were stacked with talent all across the field, their midfield was one of the league’s best.
Nat Fyfe is the AFL’s best player – his excellence simply cannot be matched. Lachie Neale established himself as an elite level AFL midfielder, while David Mundy, Danyle Pearce and Nick Suban all played outstanding supporting roles. And, as always, they were led superbly by 211-centimetre giant Aaron Sandilands.
As the season progressed though, the same old questions surrounding Ross Lyon teams began to pop up – do they play fast enough to win a flag? Can they score enough points to contend in September?
Though they claimed the club’s first minor premiership, it turned out those concerns were legitimate, as the Dockers once again bowed out of a finals series with no silverware.
2016 shapes as a crucial season for Fremantle. They still have one of the best teams in the AFL, but it is becoming a case of ‘premiership or bust’ for Lyon and his crew, as another disappointing finals series won’t cut it. Anything short of a flag this September will raise questions about his position as head coach.
Lyon has always been a winning coach, but has never led his team to a premiership. Is his old-school style of football simply not sustainable in this new age? 2016 should see that question answered, as well as determine his future.
Best 22
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Garrick Ibbotson
HB: Cam Sutcliffe, Michael Johnson, Stephen Hill
C: Danyle Pearce, Nat Fyfe, Nick Suban
HF: Chris Mayne, Matt Taberner, Michael Barlow
F: Hayden Ballentyne, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Lachie Neale, David Mundy
INT: Harley Bennell, Matt de Boer, Alex Pearce, Zac Clarke
MVP: Nat Fyfe
Fyfe is coming off one of the most dominant seasons ever in AFL history, as evidenced by his runaway Brownlow Medal win.
Fyfe’s speed, strength, agility, skill and any other aspect of football you can think of are all world class. His 2015 numbers speak for themselves: 28.8 disposals, 15.0 handballs, 13.8 kicks, 4.3 tackles and 4.2 marks.
Fyfe is the best player in the league, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Future star: Lachie Neale
Neale exploded in 2015, establishing himself as one of the leagues best midfielders. His per-game averages of 27.4 disposals, 14.1 handballs, 13.3 kicks, 4.8 marks and 3.6 tackles are Brownlow level – that he is just 22 is scary.
Many have bashed Freo for being ‘too old’, but with young talent like Neale separating themselves from the competition, the Dockers have some future superstars on their hands.
Make or break: Harley Bennell
The Dockers big-time off-season signing was former Gold Coast Sun standout Bennell, whose previous off-field troubles make 2016 such a huge year for him.
Bennell couldn’t get out of his own way during his tenure with the Suns; he was constantly in trouble, headlined by a front-page drugs scandal in 2015.
Bennell’s on-field play is nothing to be worried about – he averaged 23.5 disposals and 15.0 kicks per game last season – but he must straighten out off the field.
Henry
Guest
This team has way to many players that just don't cut it. Honestly would Dawson, Clarke, Debeor, D Pearce, Suban make it in any of the Hawk teams?? Not by a long shot. This team continues to give chances to very, very mediocre players at the expense of more talented youth. Fwd line is just awful. This team is no doubt on the decline. Won't make top 4.
Paul Thompson
Guest
Some people are thicker than others and that's why things get restated. Ah well , My boat has just arrived. Enjoy your life as Fremantle supporter, and if your team does happen to make the finals this year I hope Matt Stevic umpires the games.
Don Freo
Guest
You just restated what you have previously said...and missed the boat again. You might be better off letting Nick speak for himself. You're not doing very well, Paul.
Paul Thompson
Guest
For the second time, Nicks comments suggested Fremantle needed to score more than you concede to win FINALS YOUR reply was if you look at Fremantles percentage youll realize Freo always scores more than it concedes. Yes they have won some finals,but five finals losses in cut throat games shoots your comment down in flames and supports Nicks comments. Minor Premierships and an awesome percentage is irrelevant in finals and Fremantle have proven that. Premierships are all that matters and Fremantle havent won any
Dok
Roar Rookie
Freo has a great core of players, Bennell adds some more goal kicking, class ball disposal and run, hopefully next year is the premiership year, if anyone has ever seen the city of Freo light up around finals when Freo go deep into them it is a sight to see.
Don Freo
Guest
Oh...so Freo has never won any finals...ever? Wow. Way to make a stupid comment Paul.
Paul Thompson
Guest
Nick said in his comments that you need to score more than you concede to win finals.So having a great percentage at the end of a Minor Round means Jack. 2012 Semi Final Adelaide 81 d Fremantle 71. 2013 Grand Final Hawthorn 77 d Fremantle 62. 2014 Qualifying Final Sydney 93 d Fremantle 69. 2014 Semi Final Port Adelaide 105 d Fremantle 83. 2015 Prelim Final Hawthorn 94 d Fremantle 67. Very valid point you made Nick.
Don Freo
Guest
The comfortable goal kicking wins were in the first 9 games against top sides. Nick reckons they don't score goals. They scored more than their opposition and the opposition were not the bottom sides. I swear that some of you derive your football understanding from a Craig Hutchinson blog or something. How do you think a team finishes on top of the league ladder at the end of a season? By losing games? Dumb, Paul.
Paul Thompson
Guest
Not sure that you should be calling Nick a Dumb Cackling Hyena over his comments .Fremantles percentage of 118.was helped significantly by big wins over Melbourne twice, St Kilda, Carlton, Brisbane and North.Four of those teams finished bottom 5.Unfortunately for Fremantle bottom five sides do not play finals.
AussieBokkie
Guest
Bennell will be starting in the forward line. He will be a major star for the Dockers provided he stays out of trouble.
johno
Guest
oops forgot Langdon as well.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
If that's Freo's Best 22 coming towards the end of the season, Freo won't be playing in the last Game of the Year. For them to progress further than last year they need the Langdon's, the Sheridans, Wellers and Blakely's to really entrench themselves in the Best 22. If Mayne, Pav & Barlow are having to play 18+ games I don't see Freo getting that 1st Flag they so desire & Ross legacy really needs.
johno
Guest
I think the best 22 in 2016 will include 1 or more of these kids - Weller, Blakely, Hughes, Grey and .... Morabito!!! There, I have jinxed Mora already. At the expense of De Boer and/or Suban
Don Freo
Guest
I think, if you look at Freo's percentage, you'll realize that Freo always scores more than it concedes. Your comment, Nick, ranks you as just a dumb cackling hyena speaking in cliches. That comment ranks with Wiggy and Andyl12. Until then, your thinking in other posts have been impressive. You sounded like you followed footy.
The Luongo Massive
Guest
Good article, look forward to watching Freo in 2016. Not a supporter, but have big admiration for what a (generally) young group of footballers have been able to achieve in the past few years. Fyfe in beast mode (which is often) is a joy to watch. Hoping they could land another forward, but I am sure Bennell will be comfortable roaming on a foward flank. Club is in a good position for a tilt at the flag, all the best lads
Nicholas Mirarchi
Roar Guru
The premiership window is almost closed, I always believe you have to score to win finals, it doesnt matter how good Freo's defence is I can't see them scoring enough. I'm looking forward too see how Bennell goes as i've been a big believer in him, I hope he stays out of trouble and takes the next big step in his career.
mattyb
Guest
Fremantle and the Perth Scorchers seem to track the same each and every year,people write them off as they continue to blossom and continue to play finals.There must be a time when one looks past bitterness to proclaim "Hey,I really don't know to much about sport or quality".Fremantle,to anyone with a vague understanding of football,must be certainties for a least the top four.
Don Freo
Guest
You and your type have been saying that for 3 years now. Freo has moved to a whole new generation with a driving core group whose average age is about 23yo. Keep hoping Mango. Now you have Fyfe ageing and trying to get it done before the Fyfe window closes. He's really old and in trouble, isn't he? Fyfe is one of many at Freo that are driving the club's success. They are young, fresh, highly skilled and there for many years to come.
mango jack
Guest
'theres no sign of Fyfe slowing down anytime soon".. isnt there an adjoining article above that headlines " Fyfe set for ongoing back soreness"..? surely that doesnt speed you up or enhance your footy skills. anyway, Freo need to get the silverware before their window closes and coach has imported some key postional top ups and swung some changes that looks like theyre really addressing the empty trophy cabinet this coming season,, to come out all guns blazing i expect. not that i'm a Freo fan. for some strange reason it wouldnt surprise me if we do see a derby GF this season, as i fully expect WCE to do the same AND theyve certainly topped up and addressed their issues. GF abberation aside, theyll be even stronger, much more so, than 2015. pity its such a long wait alphabetically for this review column to get to the W section..should mix it up, a random review. keeps people coming back more..think about it. ((;
Dean
Guest
Any team with a Spud like Zac Dawson is a bit of a worry.