The Fremantle Dockers had a disappointing 2019 season.
They did have two players that were a part of the 2019 AFL All-Australian team in Nat Fyfe, who was captain of the team, and Michael Walters. Check out the ten players that the Fremantle Dockers could least afford to lose in season 2020.
10. Luke Ryan
Ryan finished sixth in the 2019 Fremantle Dockers’ best and fairest despite playing 18 out of the 22 games that the Dockers played in, which clearly indicates that he is a superb player.
9. Darcy Tucker
Tucker played every game in 2019, averaging just under 20 disposals a game. He finished in the top ten of the 2019 Fremantle Dockers’ best and fairest. He had a good game in Round 1 of season 2020, where he amassed 23 disposals.
8. Sean Darcy
Darcy playing in the ruck allows Rory Lobb to play more up forward, which paid dividends in Round 1 of season 2020 where Lobb kicked two goals. Darcy averaged 27.45 hitouts in 2019 despite only playing 11 games in that season.
(AAP Image/Tony McDonough)
7. Matthew Taberner
Taberner has the potential to be a pivotal player structurally for the Fremantle Dockers as he is a key position forward who may benefit from having a new coach, as he showed in Round 1 of season 2020 against the Essendon Bombers starting at centre half-forward.
6. Nathan Wilson
Wilson provides plenty of run out of defence. Unfortunately, he was unavailable in Round 1 of season 2020, but he’ll be back as it was a toe injury that wasn’t serious. Wilson averaged an impressive 17.89 disposals in the 18 games that he played in 2019.
5. Blake Acres
Acres will benefit from changing clubs as he will have a new lease of life as he showed in preseason where he had 31 disposals against the Carlton Blues. Unfortunately, Acres suffered a slight setback as he suffered a hamstring injury, but he’ll be back probably playing on the wing.
4. Joel Hamling
Hamling played every game in 2019 and is a player that will be a pivotal part of the Fremantle Dockers in season 2020 when he recovers from the knee injury that has hampered him of late and meant that he missed Round 1 of season 2020. Perhaps if he was playing then they would’ve won.
He is also a part of the Dockers’ leadership group for season 2020.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
3. Rory Lobb
Lobb is a player that can play up forward and in the ruck. Lobb displayed what a good player he was in Round 1 of season 2020 when he nearly got the Fremantle Dockers a victory over the Essendon Bombers.
He kicked two goals and took seven marks. Lobb played 15 games in 2019 and still managed to finish eighth in the Fremantle Dockers’ best and fairest.
2. Michael Walters
Walters is a quality player. that’s why he was selected in the 2019 AFL All-Australian team. Walters is a key part of the leadership group. He played all 22 games in 2019 and kicked the most goals for the Fremantle Dockers with 40 and he also averaged over 20 disposals a game, which shows that he isn’t a one-dimensional forward and is versatile.
1. Nat Fyfe
Fyfe is the solitary captain of the Fremantle Dockers for season 2020 and a superstar to add to that; he is irreplaceable and an extremely talented player.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Very insightful comment.
Steve J
Roar Guru
Fyfe, Walters and Lobb are no brainers Pearce is a big miss, as are Brayshaw and Cerra - two guns coming into their third season and with a lot of upside. Logue is the other one, last season he showed he can hold down a key position in defence as well as attack the ball. I'd have him in there ahead of Taberner, simply because of Tabs is 27 this year and has only played 72 games for 76 goals. He has promised for years but cannot string together a season
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He has already done that. It would be a shame if he doesn't get a long career.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's not the same problem. He has broken 2 different legs. This is just a small issue at the front of his current injury. It's already on track. It doesn't alter the fact that we can't afford to lose him.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He didn't go "to water". He didn't play at all. His not playing was injury related. It stopped him playing. He was dominant at CHF until then.
ScottD
Roar Guru
He just needs to be more consistent in set shots for goal. He started 2019 off well and then went to water. Not sure if that was injury related though? He can take a great contested mark so that sets him above many other players. Now just needs to finish off. Imagine a season where Tabs can be relied upon to get 2 goals a game every game with guys like Hogan, Walters etc also doing what they do. We’d be unstoppable as we are just lacking that “other” consistent goal kicker.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
A tragedy if he doesn't fulfill his potential.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Problem with Pearce he has broken down again with his same troublesome leg problem and has to have more surgery. Hopefully it is not career defining .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Agree...although I think Tabs is super important, even central. Given a full season, he and Logue will be the talk of the town.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
saved me from having to post this. Not at all surprised to see the four posts made before mine all pointing out that Pearce deserves to be on this list, and deserves to be pretty high on it.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Brayshaw? Cerra? Alex Pearce? You're missing a couple of key players Doran. Acres, Tabs and even Tucker are all players I like, but I genuinely think we'd be able to lose and not have any major detrimental effects. To lose Brayshaw, Cerra and Pearce instead would likely be more of an issue. Especially Pearce.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
2nd, possibly.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Alex Pearce seems to be an unknown in your world, Doran. Get familiar with him for whatever your next list is. Blake Acres? A relative of yours? He hasn't played a game for the club yet. You must love steak knives. You might find Jesse Hogan is pretty valuable.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Alex Pearce is Freos 3rd most important player when fit.