Fremantle had a fair season in 2017, claiming eight wins with six of them in the first half of the campaign. Overall, their percentage and the margin of a few losses were rather disappointing for Dockers fans.
Previous season reviews
North Melbourne
Carlton
Gold Coast
Brisbane
What happened
The Dockers had a poor opening two games, going down to the Cats and Power by 42 and 89 points respectively. Ross Lyon swung the axe ahead of Round 3, choosing to go with youth, and it worked.
The next three games showed results with wins over the Dogs, Demons, and Roos, however, two games had a margin under a goal, and the Dockers could certainly have been 1-4 by Round 5 rather than 3-2.
They lost to their crosstown rivals in the next game, but once again, won their next three games over the Bombers, this year’s eventual grand finalists the Tigers, and the young Blues. That would turn out to be their last victory for a while, however, as they went on to lose their next five games, with a 100-point loss to grand finalists the Adelaide Crows and a 57-point loss to the wooden spooners, the Brisbane Lions.
Fremantle finally got their seventh win of the season over the Roos in a close one again. They lost their next three, then got their final win of a season with many ups and downs against the disappointing Suns in Rodney Eade’s final game as head coach. They lost their next two by 104 points against the Swans and Tigers, and then pushed the Bombers to the line in their last outing for the year at Etihad Stadium.
Mark out of 10: 5.5/10
The coach
Who can believe that it’s been four years since Ross Lyon led Fremantle to a grand final against Hawthorn, and two years since they claimed the minor premiership under him? Lyon’s defence-first gameplan is quickly going down the drain, which was shown in their several 100-point losses, and he’s going to need to act fast to clean up the club.
Yes, Lyon has led their young list to 12 wins in the last few seasons, however there are younger lists such as Brisbane and Melbourne that are on a brighter track than Fremantle. Lyon will have to spend the off-season implementing an attacking gameplan, and show they too are on a bright path towards success.
Mark out of 10: 4.5/10
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
The best 22 – end of 2017
B: Michael Johnson, Joel Hamling, Luke Ryan
HB: Cam Sutcliffe, Griffin Logue, Ethan Hughes
C: Brad Hill, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
HF: Michael Walters, Brennan Cox, Harley Bennell
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Cam McCarthy, Shane Kersten
Foll: Sean Darcy, Nathan Fyfe, Lachie Neale
I/C: Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely, Brady Grey, Aaron Sandilands
Lee Spurr is unlucky not to be in their best 22, having played 16 games in the 2017 season. Young players such as Tom Sheridan, Darcy Tucker, Matt Taberner, and Ed Langdon are unlucky not to be in the Dockers’ best team as well.
List changes
Possible delistings
Jonathon Griffin – Griffin has been a back-up ruckman throughout his career, and being an older player won’t help his case for a new contract.
Nick Suban – Suban struggled to hold down a spot in 2017, and may find himself on the outer.
Matthew Uebergang – Uebergang hasn’t made much of an impact in his two years at the club and may find himself on the outer.
Harley Balic – Balic asked for a trade back to Victoria within the last week, however if a trade can’t be made, he may find himself hoping for a lifeline in the rookie draft.
Free Agents
Zac Clarke and Nick Suban are both free agents, and I suggested above that they will be delisted by the Dockers. Michael Johnson is a free agent, however it seems he will either play on for one more season or retire.
Picks: 5, 40, 55, 58, 77
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Potential trade targets
As mentioned, Balic has already asked for a trade back to Victoria, with no leading club to get his services thus far. However, Carlton, Melbourne, and North Melbourne have been thrown around as possible destinations, and the Dockers could get either a third or fourth round pick in return for him.
Nathan Wilson has been thrown up as a possible target, and would certainly assist the rebound of their defence. They would easily have to offer up their first-round pick to satisfy the Giants if Wilson were interested in a move west. Other players thrown around as possible targets are Rory Lobb and Jason Johannisen, however Johannisen re-signed earlier this year and Rory Lobb would cost another first-round pick. Coupled with the fact that Lobb is under contract, the Giants would likely play hard ball like they did with Cam McCarthy.
Brandon Matera has been linked to the Dockers, and would certainly help their attack. He would come cheap, being worth a third- or fourth-round pick, and would certainly create increased rivalry with the Eagles. They need to target tall forwards, and players such as Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb, though as mentioned both are under contract with their clubs.
The Dockers might be better sticking to the draft and developing a tall forward. They also need more ruck depth, and might be tempted to look at Marc Pittonet or try and get Nick Meese, a gun ruckman in the VFL, via the rookie draft. But they should ideally look at young ruck talent to partner with Sean Darcy in the future.
Retirements
Griffin would likely go into retirement if he is delisted by the Dockers. Michael Johnson and Aaron Sandilands may possibly be looking at retirement, however Sandilands is contracted for 2018, and Johnson will likely play on for one final season.
Early prediction
The Dockers will win between seven to nine games next season. Their main focus should be to limit the margin of their losses, and not conceded 12-goal losses.
That’s my review of Fremantle’s 2017. What are your thoughts?
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Tell that to Damien Hardwick.
Jon boy
Guest
Yeah,,NO more Excuses Can not blame Age any more or not having played together and all the other excuses he comes up with. They have beaten Richmond there 2 last games at MCG Less than 11 games next year is a Failure.
Barrington
Guest
To be fair, Ross has given us a harder edge in his time at Freo. However, the signs for Ross are not encouraging. 100 plus point losses are, historically, a negative portent to a coach lasting out a contract. The first 9 games will determine Ross' tenure at Fremantle and I personally believe his time as coach will end prematurely.
Jon boy
Guest
You have swung me to Fogarty he is noted as powerful and tough.
David C
Guest
That might be where you get your 2nd rounder.
David C
Guest
You won't get a high 2nd rounder for Balic, you are dreaming.
David C
Guest
Bit optimistic there, he is damaged goods. Suspect a 3rd rounder at best. You'd be mad to give up a first round pick for Wilson as well.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
Jarred Brander or maybe Darcy Fogarty, to my mind.
Jon boy
Guest
Late change to the going forward side ....Oscar Allen no doubt Freo first round draft pick at number 5.
Freo As
Guest
Not untrue, but didn't play last year because recovery from wrist injury, which is behind him. Played bare minimum WAFL games, before being promoted based on outstanding form. Showed plenty in a mini stretch of games at AFL level, before some issues at home grounded his career. He was selected as a second rounder. Bout 33 or thereabouts.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I wouldn't say Boekhorst isn't up to AFL standard. Showed a bit of improvement this year when given an extended run averaging 17 disposals and a goal a game. Also showed a bit of defensive pressure as well. As I said I don't know enough about Balic but just because he was a top 10 prospect and believed to have potential doesn't automatically make him AFL standard either. All I know is he was a late draft pick and has only played 4 games in 2 years. Not much bargaining power in those stats.
Jon boy
Guest
Boekhorst, not AFL standard.Balic Will become a top player who ever gets him are going to get a bargain obviously Freo is not going to get much in return for him He can go to the rookie draft and freo will get nothing but you would think that will not happen time will tell.
Mattyb
Guest
Col,there's been plenty of talk regarding Balic to Carlton,and your suggestion the trade may involve Boekhorst is what most talk has been suggesting. Your right to say it's hard to put value on Balic so it would be interesting how he's rated inside the industry. Not sure how interested the Dockers would be on Boekhorst though,doesn't seem overly appealing but the Dockers might be happy to cut their loses so to speak.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Hard to put a price on a player who has managed just 4 games in 2 years. I haven't seen him play so cannot comment on his future potential. If the Blues are interested in him, and I haven't heard anything regarding any interest, then maybe out of contract WA boy Blaine Boekhorst becomes part of any deal.
Freo As
Guest
Ur probably right, but Balic was a potential top 10 pick if he didn't have injury concerns. He's put the big injury worries behind him now and shown to be home at the top level. The way the trades work means he's probably going for a basement price.
guttsy
Guest
The chances are three of those players won't be at Freo at the end of next year. The one most likely to continue is Sandi, with Mundy an outside chance and Ballantyne as the smokey. Having said this I would be surprised if you can replace any of them in the best 22 in 2018. They are all bloody good players when they are fit. The problem for them come 2019 is the expectation of how they will perform towards the end of the season compared to someone younger.
guttsy
Guest
I think Fremantle should be expecting something in the late 30s and at worst early 40s for a Balic trade. More or less replacing what the Dockers spent on him. You could argue that he hasn't been on the track much but when he was he generally had an impact. He also had a hand in a couple of close wins.
guttsy
Guest
The problem isn't the people in Fremantle's forward line, it is largely the delivery into the forward line that is the problem. This season it has flip flopped between - slow, careful, low risk, low reward delivery of the ball into the forward line that telegraphs what Fremantle are doing to the opposition defence way before the ball comes in. This allows the opposition defence to set up to stop the ball. - fast, reckless, careless, high risk, low reward delivery of the ball into the forward line that enables the opposition to corral the ball to the flanks and/or counter attack quickly which leaves Fremantle's defence exposed. Fremantle need's to focus on getting the risk reward right for delivery into the forward line. Of course there are issues with the structure and workings of the Fremantlr forward line but the biggest issue and where there are the most gains to be made is in the delivery. There is nothing wrong with McCarthy or Kersten (you could also add Taberner to this list) in most other teams they would be 30 to 40 goal a year second tier big forward targets. Get the delivery right into the forward line and I beleive they will score the goals. Of course Fremantle would like a first tier big forward who can kick a bag of 60 or 70 goals a year but it doesn't look like it is going to get one or develop one.
Jon boy
Guest
Thanks for that A,D word tonight Crozier heading to bulldogs
Jon boy
Guest
Did not work out to good Best 22 going forward all under 28 years old.