“I’ve never been so confident at the start of a season,” was my answer to the often asked pre-season question.
“You told us you were gonna be good!” I screamed (inwardly) as Freo bumbled and fumbled towards defeat at home to North Melbourne in round two.
There was trouble for the Dockers at the start of the season. Getting the ball out of the centre was the start of the troubles and was probably the root cause for trouble in the backline and a rooted forward line.
Then there was the dumb response to Lobb’s homecoming. “Just ignore him,” would have been Mum’s advice. Freo minds were racing. We should have kept Mundy. Are we missing Acres and that other bloke? Is Jackson any good?
Is that what they mean by second-guessing?
Anyway things changed, the Dockers got to the bye looking ok, sitting just outside the eight but those early losses may come back to bite.
Here’s the mid-season report.
James Aish: a versatile and useful player. Deceptively strong and good in the air.
Jye Amiss: we kind of knew we had a rising star on our hands. And we likes country music. I think Hayley Miller introduced the Amiss step into her set-shot routine last AFLW season. And she was Freo’s leading goal scorer.
Bailey Banfield: finally feels like BB is part of the team. Starting to take some marks overhead and has kicked and set-up vital goals.
Eric Benning: playing reserves for Peel.
Andrew Brayshaw: down but still good early in the season. Back to his hard running, smart positioning best in recent weeks. And popping through the odd goal.
Will Brodie: was part of the midfield that couldn’t win the ball at clearances early in the season. Now playing for Peel. Will get more chances.
Jordan Clark: had some shaky moments in the early games but back to his ball carrying best. Creative and competitive.
Travis Colyer: injury hit start to the season. Has played a few games for Peel lately.
Josh Corbett: played a game and looks to be strong in the air.
Brennan Cox: his high marking is extraordinary and cool head a bonus in defence.
Sean Darcy: back to his best this year and can match anyone he comes up against in the ruck. Strangely relaxed onfield for someone who gets grabbed and pushed and belted every week.
Hugh Davies: playing reserves for Peel.
Josh Draper: not doing a lot for Peel but looks good. There’s something in the way he moves…
Tom Emmett: consistent in the WAFL. Strong and can kick a goal.
Neil Erasmus: again looked ok when opportunities came in the senior team but not there yet. I like his long low kicks.
Michael Frederick: becoming an important player and is a good source of goals. Can be frenetic and prone to fumble but will continue to improve.
Nat Fyfe: not quite firing on all 16 cylinders yet but it’s nice to have him back. Must be confusing opponents as it’s hard to know what he is these days, but it is good.
Joel Hamling: playing really well in the WAFL and remains a reliable insurance player. I happened to be at Rushton Park when he kicked his first WAFL league goal a few weeks ago. He kicked another one the next game… goal hungry?
Liam Henry: in good form in the WAFL and that’s all he can do for now.
Ethan Hughes: you would have thought when the wing experiment didn’t really work that the WAFL was the next step. But he’s settled in defence and growing in confidence. Good size and quite skilful.
Luke Jackson: seeing him speed through the centre square with the ball against Geelong reminded me of a bloke I saw light up an AFL Grand Final at Perth Stadium a couple of years ago. A multi-faceted unflappable player.
Matthew Johnson: strong and cool and so young. Coming along very nicely.
Sebit Keik: I predict he will make his AFL debut this year and it will be exciting. Versatile and gaining in consistency.
Max Knobell: has played one league game for Peel. He’s very tall, give him time.
Nathan O’Driscoll: not quite at his best yet but runs and competes hard. Needs to kick one of those impossible goals to get things going again.
Jaegar O’Meara: he’s not Mundy but has been a good addition. His neat kicking for goal is a bonus.
Alex Pearce: started the season poorly but as a crisis loomed he found his feet and took the lead. Remains a difficult opponent and a good captain.
Liam Reidy: winning hit-outs for Peel in the WAFL.
Luke Ryan: continues to operate a high level. Can be guilty of the high long bomb into the forward line but the ball is safe in his hands.
Lachie Schultz: highly committed small forward.
Caleb Serong: knows what to do and where to go and has the fitness required to do what’s needed.
Ethan Stanley: Welcome.
Sam Sturt: still a required piece of the attacking puzzle for Freo. A classy player if he can put it together.
Sam Switkowski: very effective small forward and good in the midfield during his visits there too.
Matt Taberner: if he sorts out his buggered back he’ll be a good forward back-up. Currently in his 11th season at Fremantle.
Josh Treacy: it’s coming together. Looking forward to him slotting set shots from outside 50.
Corey Wagner: played a couple of games and was able to get the ball and show some dash.
Brandon Walker: willing and able to take on the trickiest of assignments in defence.
Michael Walters: having one of his best seasons. Doesn’t need to get the ball much.
Conrad Williams: playing reserves for Peel.
Nathan Wilson: was ok in his AFL appearances early in the season. His approach in the WAFL should inspire everyone. Ready to return if needed.
Karl Worner: playing pretty well for Peel and his chance will come.
Hayden Young: classy defender who may one day make appearances in the midfield.
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