Who are the Dockers players who should play to their optimum level in 2021?
To be eligible for selection, a player must have played at least five games in season 2020, so there can be a reference point as far as those players who apply their talent the best at AFL level.
There were some tough choices that were made; leaving out the likes of Sean Darcy, Matt Taberner, Darcy Tucker and Michael Walters was difficult, but they appear to have suffered some injuries that have impacted on their preseason.
It was tough to leave Rory Lobb out, but it wasn’t possible to include him based on his form in season 2020. He played all 17 games, but didn’t finish in the top ten of the best and fairest.
Another notable player that was left out was Reece Conca, who needs to improve in season 2021.
Here are the ten players (plus an honourable mention) who will stand out from the pack in season 2021.
Honourable mention
Nathan Wilson played 15 of 17 games in season 2020 and finished with an average of 13.67 disposals per game.
He had the third-highest disposal efficiency with 80.47 per cent.
Wilson is a player who’s capable of being an attacking defender on a halfback flank, given the Dockers regaining Joel Hamling and Alex Pearce.
10. James Aish
Aish averaged the ninth most disposals and the ninth highest disposal efficiency of any Docker in season 2020.
He played 16 of 17 games and finished tenth in the Dockers best and fairest. Expect him to get better in season 2021, as he is a player who has to improve if the Dockers are to finish in the top eight.
9. Ethan Hughes
Ethan Hughes finished seventh in the Dockers best and fairest in season 2020, featuring in all 17 games.
He always tries hard and plays to a decent level. He had the fourth-highest disposal efficiency of any Dockers player with 78.37 per cent, which is more than respectable.
Expect him to be a part of the Dockers best 22 in every game in 2021.
8. Brennan Cox
Cox may have only played 13 games in 2020, but he had the best disposal efficiency of any Dockers player with 85.85 per cent. He always displays great endeavour and expect him to be a part of the Dockers best 22 this season.
7. Adam Cerra
Cerra finished equal third in the Dockers best and fairest in season 2020. He did that despite having an average of 17.35 disposals per game, the seventh of any Dockers player.
He will be playing in the midfield in season 2021, with Fyfe spending more time up forward. Cerra has potential and will be looking to improve in season 2021.
6. Caleb Serong
Serong won the 2020 AFL rising star award, despite the fact that he only played 14 games. He finished ninth in the Dockers best and fairest.
He had an average of 16.86 disposals per game, which was a respectable average considering it was his first season at AFL level. What was most impressive was the fact that he averaged the third-highest tackles of any Docker player with an average of 4.14 tackles per game.
Expect him to have a reasonable season in season 2021. After his rising star win, there will be larger expectations on Serong.
5. David Mundy
Mundy may be coming towards the end of his career, but he should still have an impact on the Dockers finals chances in season 2021. He had the fifth-highest average of tackles on average of any Dockers player with an average of 3.75 tackles per game in 16 matches in season 2020.
He averaged the fifth most disposals with an average of 18.19 disposals per game.
Mundy deservedly finished equal third in the Dockers best and fairest. Expect him to finish in the top ten in the best and fairest in season 2021 and play his role for the team.
David Mundy (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
4. Blake Acres
Blake Acres averaged the third-highest disposals of any Dockers player in season 2020, with an average of 19.14 disposals per game in just seven games. The Dockers won two of the last four games last season – Acres played all four.
He used the ball reasonably well with 75.39 per cent disposal efficiency. It’s a big season for him in the context of his AFL career and expect him to be up for the challenge.
3. Andrew Brayshaw
Brayshaw was one of the positives for the Dockers to take out of season 2020. He finished equal third in the best and fairest.
He displayed a fantastic work rate with the second-highest average of 19.88 disposals per game. He used the ball reasonably well with the sixth-highest disposal efficiency of any Dockers player with 75.75 per cent.
Brayshaw should grow in stature in 2021 as he is willing to work hard; in season 2020 he averaged the most tackles of any Dockers player, with 4.88 tackles per game.
(Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
2. Luke Ryan
Ryan was the only Dockers player to make the All Australian team in season 2020, named in the back pocket.
He used the ball well with 84.19 per cent disposal efficiency, which was the second-highest of any Dockers player. He averaged the fourth-most disposals of any Dockers player with an average of 18.59 disposals per game.
Expect him to benefit from the inclusion of Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling in 2021, as they should be back from injuries, which kept them out of the Dockers team in 2020.
1. Nat Fyfe
Fyfe finished second in the Dockers best and fairest and was in the All Australian squad of 40, despite only featuring in 14 out of 17 games in season 2020.
He averaged the most disposals of any Dockers player in the same season, with an average of 21.36 per game. He averaged three tackles per game and 74.58 per cent disposal efficiency.
Expect him to benefit from more forward time in season 2021, which hopefully means that he plays every game and features in the All Australian team.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Thanks. I do disagree with you on one major item. It shouldn't have been tough to leave Rory Lobb out at all. Not withstanding he is a good player his complete inability to take a set piece shot at goal with that diabolical stutter step means that he deserves to be out of that list. If the Dockers could make one major change from last year (outside of nil major injuries) it would be for Lobb to find his kicking mojo. He could be an absolute jet of a player if he can find the confidence to just relax and kick. The same thing happened with Taberner a couple of years before. Both those players can kick 50 goals a season if they can get over themselves and relax.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo wouldn't mind Richmond's medical team either.
sven
Roar Rookie
imagine the success richmond could have had with the better coaching of ross the boss & JLo .... sigh ...what couldve been ...
sven
Roar Rookie
"Freo spent most of its time forward of centre" ... wonder what they did with the pill with all that time with it forward, certainly wasnt kicking more goals than the opposition
Slane
Guest
No, I'm arguing that Reece Conca wasn't in the best 10 players at Fremantle last season because the coaching group didn't think he was. If you believe he was in the top 10 players at Fremantle last year, you need to take it up with JLo because he clearly doesn't.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo spent most of its time forward of centre. When it went into defence, Reece, Luke, Brennan and the boys sent it back to the guys who had the ball more often as a result. The defence did their role and the blokes in the play did theirs. You seem to be arguing that Conca did poorly and the main thrust is that Conca did poorly because Liam Baker did well. One doesn't disprove the other.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Interesting to see what they do with Mitchy Crowden (The Spleen Rupturer). He won't get a starting position up front or in the midfield but his hardness might be worth honing for a back pocket. I'd love to see a Crowden/Toby Greene clash.
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Playing in the back pocket for a poorly performing team certainly gives him plenty of opportunity to show a bit.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Yep agree with you there. Gonna be hard to fit him in if all the defenders are fit and firing.
Slane
Guest
Far out Don. JLo and the rest of the Fremantle coaches thought Reece Conca was undeserving of a top 10 spot in the best and fairest. THAT'S THE POINT. His lack of votes from the coaches has nothing to do with the role he plays for the team. Coaches understand how vital a role the back pocket defender plays. Those same Coaches didn't think that Reece Conca had as great a season as you do. Obviously you know more than the Fremantle coaching team. It's not rocket science.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What point are you making? A coach does more than vote. That explains why Richmond didn't get enough out of a #7 draft pick. If the coaches only vote but don't coach, of course he won't maximize his talent. Rossie and JLo have brought that ability to the foreground.
Slane
Guest
Who decides the Fremantle best and fairest, Don? At Richmond, the coaches vote after each game. The best and fairest is a reflection of the coaches opinion. The better a player performs in their role, the more votes they will get from the coach. Make sense?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
They get plenty of credit from all that follow the game. Those that write about the game don't always watch as closely. What coaches have to do with that element...only you would know what you mean.
Slane
Guest
6th in a premiership winning year. Maybe the coaches at Freo could get together and figure out why their best players aren't receiving the credit they deserve? You should flick them an email and let them know their voting system is wrong.
ScottyJ
Roar Rookie
Thanks Doran. Really excited to see not only individual improvement but the whole team improve especially in the forward half. The off field appointments look solid. To be fair 2 of the 4 you mention who are injured were from last season. Doing my own best 22 and cant fit Conca in there barring any injuries.
adamkiwi
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the post. Totally agree with you Conca comment. Whilst I loved the job he did tagging Dusty, he had a average season, and needs to be better this year. The Dockers have a lot of talent, but it needs quite a few players to stand up to make finals. Let alone win one. I had hoped with a change in fitness director - our persistent injury worries would be somewhat behind us, but alas this is not the case. We have as a football club, some real brittle talent. Sorry to sound like a broken record, the ALF is a team sport, and the best teams win. Look at Richmond, they play exceptionally well as a team. We can bang on how good Dusty is, or Bachar, or Lynch, but Richmond keeps winning because they are a bloody good team. The harsh reality is Dockers are not their yet. But the signs are there. And if the 10 blokes you said need to step up to the next level, do indeed make that step, we make the finals - I'll be a bloody happy man.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Oh, he's under pressure for selectio this year with the strength of Freo's defense but that doesn't alter how well he played last year. He has been better coached under Rossie and JLo so that would explain the improvement.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yes, Liam plays in a back pocket too. Top 10 in B&F?
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
Conca is a worthy trier at best. Wish him well but he wouldn’t be an automatic selection in a side which is genuinely contending.
Slane
Guest
Liam Baker says Hi!