Fremantle: end-of-season report by Les Everett

Dockers had hopes and dreams for a change in 2022 experiencing finals for the first time since 2015. 

The club has survived a bewildering list building mantra that combined ignoring local youngsters and the WAFL with a “bringing them all back whatever the cost” approach to WA players at other clubs. From afar it seemed there was some meddling going on when it came to recruiting – cobblers were not being left to do the cobbling.

When I last reviewed the Dockers, at the end of their 2019 campaign not long after coach Ross Lyon was farewelled, there were some green shoots. I saw hope in the backline…

 “Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling, Luke Ryan and Nathan Wilson look like the nucleus of a premiership backline while Griffin Logue, Ethan Hughes and Taylin Duman had their moments and with others could round out that defence.”

Those ‘others’ have come with such quality that two of my premiership defenders can no longer get a game.

Some of those brought home at great cost failed to provide the Pavlich replacement we craved and needed and deep down we knew we’d suffer long term. 

Good recent talent spotting has provided Fremantle with a midfield to match them all but it was in attack that the sins of the past were felt. Two weaknesses stood out – periods of games where the opposition exited centre bounce encounters like they were training drills and an inability of forwards to keep the ball in the forward line and to score sufficiently. 

Justin Longmuir has arrived with an off-field team that seems to be on track. And out of the mire has emerged a squad with depth and a team that knows what it is doing. Here’s my take on the individuals – I promise to use the word role only once.

Some will not be at Fremantle in 2023. The great David Mundy has retired, some will be delisted and some will go elsewhere seeking opportunity or money. I won’t speculate about player movements.

Blake Acres: His emergence as a more than useful player in 2022 was one of the miracles of the season. Now playing with great purpose – he knows his role in the team and has added some personal touches to enhance his effectiveness. Seemed to put the rainmaker kick to bed late in the season.

James Aish: Fremantle lost two hard running wingers in recent years. Aish might be better than both of them. His strength in the air is an added bonus and he can go into the midfield with effect.

Jye Amiss: We thought he was gone for the year after his promising two-goal debut. Now has two finals under his belt. Knows where to lead, can take a contested mark and that kicking for goal is a thing of Freo dreams.

Bailey Banfield: They say sitting is the new smoking and he will be looking to quit the medi-sub seat somehow next year. I suggest some remedial work on his high marking, his technique is horrible.

Eric Benning: Played reserves for Peel. I saw him once – he won a ruck knock and set up a goal. Might be a slow build like his Magpie brother.

Connor Blakely: Enjoying an admirable WAFL season where he does all the right things. But there’s something wrong with his kicking that obviously can’t be fixed.

Andrew Brayshaw: The best player in the competition according to his peers. Who are we to disagree?

Will Brodie: A nice cheap pick up who complemented the midfield. Good at clearances and very strong. Was No. 9 in the 2016 National Draft. Griffin Logue was No. 8, Brennan Cox 41 and Luke Ryan 66.

Heath Chapman: Cool skilful defender who reminds me a bit of a young defender who came over from Seymour in 2004 and evolved into a midfielder.

Jordan Clark: Provided what was wanted and bit more with his speed, dare and confidence at half back.

Travis Colyer: Did some useful things in early games but really doesn’t get the ball enough.

Brennan Cox: Recognised now as one of the best defenders in the competition. Really good in the air (maybe he could be BB’s tutor).

Mitch Crowden: Bustling midfielder who has had an excellent season in the WAFL. Boots it a mile but it’s hard to see where he can fit in the AFL team.

Sean Darcy: Another good season and can match it with any in the ruck in the AFL. But he was better last year particularly in marking – from 90 in 2021 to 51 this year.

Neil Erasmus: Looked ok in a couple of early AFL games and has come along well in the WAFL. Will be one eyeing the spot vacated by Mundy.

Michael Frederick: Only missed one game and I hope we can stop carrying on about the reason why. Kicked 28 goals and is coming along well. The run-down tackle in the Elimination Final will hopefully have shown there’s glory in defensive use of speed too.

Nat Fyfe: Endured a season from hell. He’s highly professional so a return to high standards is likely. But what will he be? A few sessions at the Amiss School of Set Shots would be useful. But he’s a midfielder. And a great one.

Joel Hamling: Has been part of a premiership backline but can’t slot into Freo’s. Hampered by injury early but his recent WAFL form has been outstanding. 

Liam Henry: Seems to have made progress and appeals as a winger. Generally uses the ball well and needs to understand there is also a defensive side to the game (ie chase like you mean it). Needs to use the WAFL finals well – and he wasn’t good in the Elimination Final.

Ethan Hughes: Bided his time in the WAFL this year but looked a little less accident prone when he did play in the AFL. Has some talent.

Matthew Johnson: Slowed by injury early in his first year as an AFL listed player. Looks assured in the WAFL – strong and uses the ball well. Will play in the AFL next year. A Mundy replacement?

Sebit Keik: Would have made more progress if he’d stayed at East Perth where his early season move to full forward was a work of genius. A very interesting prospect hampered by injury after the mid-season drafting. Let’s hope they keep him.

Rory Lobb: Had a pretty good year for someone whose main interest seemed to be leaving. Kicked 36 goals and took 92 marks but it’s hard to know what he is. A sometimes imposing key forward and an easily pushed aside back-up ruckman. Played on through injury late in the year  – full marks for that.

Griffin Logue: This looked like being his breakout year but then came the swingman role. An important player but it would be nice if he held a few more marks.

Lloyd Meek: A confident ruckman keen to get his own clearances. Imposes himself on WAFL games.

David Mundy: Thank you.

Nathan O’Driscoll: Became a really useful member of the team and will get better. Those goals from the boundary were a bonus.

Alex Pearce: Very hard to play on. Has strength, skill and speed. Seemed to take on the captaincy role with aplomb. 

Luke Ryan: Full throttled defender. Takes great marks, flies the flag, kicks well.

Lachie Schultz: Kicked 30 goals for the year and played every game. Had a good run of consistent form in the big games at the end of the season. Busy and inventive. 

Caleb Serong: Young midfielder doing much more than you’d expect. Courageous and skilful.

Sam Sturt: Fremantle needs him. Good sized forward who can take a mark and kick accurately. There have been signs it’s coming together late in the WAFL season. They want to see intensity Sam – fake it if you have to.

Sam Switkowski: Deserves a decent run of luck. Does a lot right and if he played more games the team would benefit.

Matt Taberner: Another year – 13 games and 23 goals (seven in one game). At his best he’s exactly what the team needs.

Josh Treacy: A season stalled by injury, illness and poor form. A forward who can take a mark, kick straight and long and is rugged. We keep being reminded that he’s only 12 or something so maybe his day will come. WAFL finals will be useful.

Darcy Tucker: If you saw him taking the game on in the WAFL you’d know that it’s there. In the AFL he seems cumbersome at times. Robbed of a WAFL finals campaign through injury.

Brandon Walker: I like his willingness to run and find targets. But let’s not mention his finals performances. “You’re still young, that’s your fault. There’s so much you have to know.” Cat Stevens.

Michael Walters: His season grew and grew and he again reminded us he’s a stellar finals performer. It’s a pity his team has spent so much time away from September.

Joel Western: Unlucky to miss early action. Recently unable to squeeze into the Peel team.

Nathan Wilson: Played just two AFL games this year but should be commended for his efforts for Peel. Still running well and kicking beautifully.

Karl Worner: A likely prospect. Proficient with either foot but also inconsistent with his disposal.

Hayden Young: We knew we were getting someone with elite kicking skills. Not sure we realised he was such a strong mark and so smart and courageous.