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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
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