Fremantle fans knew their high expectations for the 2023 season were misplaced when their team managed to lose to North Melbourne – at home – in round two. A scare from the hapless hopeless banged-up Eagles in round three was confirmation.
The season provided some highlights and hope – including beating Melbourne at the MCG and a win over Geelong down at the Kardinia Park that was part of a promising last five rounds. The 101-point derby win in round 22 was required viewing.
The expected announcement that Liam Henry wants out is food for thought on three fronts.
1. Henry was taken at nine in the 2019 National Draft as an act of faith by the club who matched Carlton’s bid on their NGA player. It wasn’t a draft full of riches but that pick could have been used (not by Freo) on Kozzy Pickett, Tom Green, Will Day, Cody Weightman, Sam de Koning or Chad Warner. Henry may have viewed the career progressions of some taken after him in the Draft during early 2023 season contemplations while playing for Peel. Fremantle used pick eight in the 2016 on Griffin Logue in a similarly extravagant move though without the feeling of attachment there was with Henry. Is it possible these players overvalued their own worth and that led them to look greener pastures?
2. Brad Hill, Ed Langdon, Blake Acres and Henry are wingers with an unquestionable willingness to run but questionable disposal. Three of them are now useful players at other clubs. Is it possible the Dockers just don’t understand the worth of wingers?
3. Henry strikes me as the kind who would sneak a look at social media. Some of that stuff would make anyone want to fly away.
A non-finals season has ended positively. The team is young.
And so, again, there’s hope.
It’s report time.
James Aish: Reliable, strong and truly versatile. Another fine season.
Jye Amiss: 41 goals, leads well and can take a contested mark. Headed in the right direction and he likes country music. Big tick.
Bailey Banfield: Seemed to have a found a spot and then suddenly found it hard to have an impact and it was back to the drawing board. Has his limits as a player but it’s kind of nice to have him around.
Eric Benning: Oh well, that didn’t work.
Andrew Brayshaw: Highly consistent. Gets where he needs to be. Needs to brush up on his set-shots for goal – perhaps some hints from his brother Hamish at the Christmas multi-sprint this year.
Will Brodie: It didn’t come together this year. Not petulant for Peel. Let’s hope he knows clearly what it is he needs to do.
Heath Chapman: Season stuffed up by injury. He’s getting bigger and his return will be a nice bonus.
Jordan Clark: Got better as the year went on. Seemed determined to take the game on and his disposal and spoiling were deadly.
Travis Colyer: Injury buggered up any chance he had this year. Now it’s over.
Josh Corbett: Kicked five goals for Peel in the final home and away game. Didn’t look out of place in his AFL outings though he found it hard to find the ball. Will appreciate the WAFL finals.
Brennan Cox: One of the best marks in the AFL. The late season move forward was interesting with his effort on All-Australian James Sicily in the final round under-appreciated.
Sean Darcy: Among the best in the ruck in the competition. Those who think Freo’s ruck combination can’t work in 2024 need to to realise Brodie Grundy is no Luke Jackson.
Hugh Davies: Nothing specky about his WAFL form but he’s big and young and will take time.
Josh Draper: Looked ok as a tall running defender for Peel but needs to get the ball more. Finished the season in the reserves.
Tom Emmett: A late season revelation. Smart, tough and skilful. Who knows what he may become…
Neil Erasmus: Steady progress. He’s bigger than you’d think and kicks well.
Michael Frederick: Does he have the capacity to be the run all day winger the team needs? His absence for long periods of games suggests not. Whatever – he remains an exciting and important player. Great kick for goal too.
Nat Fyfe: Didn’t look good when he played this year. What an addition he could be.
Joel Hamling: Wholehearted in the WAFL and slotted seamlessly into the AFL team when needed.
Liam Henry: Put together a nice run of games over the last bit of the season. I’d chat to North Melbourne about a round one draft pick exchange.
Ethan Hughes: Tried on the wing but didn’t get the ball enough. Had a solid season in defence and almost did a couple of spectacular things.
Luke Jackson: Fremantle’s best player.
Matthew Johnson: Progressing nicely. I liked the goals he kicked late in the season. Big, strong and cool.
Sebit Keik: Did his knee when on the verge of an AFL debut. Might benefit from an extended time in the gym. Very exciting prospect.
Max Knobell: Ruck who played just two league games for Peel but one of them was in round 20. Some finals exposure would be interesting.
Nathan O’Driscoll: A down year due to injury and form. Looks like a natural winger, so let him know you care.
Jaegar O’Meara: He’s a good player and he played some good games. But he was also a turnover catalyst with fumbles and poor disposal. Seems very professional so some time on basics and concentration over the summer wouldn’t go astray.
Alex Pearce: Copped a bit from the social media and talkback types during the year but finished up having a strong season. Getting a bit of rehab into whatever it is that’s hampering him would be the summer aim.
Liam Reidy: Giant ruck who put together a strong WAFL season. Hope he’s right for the finals.
Luke Ryan: Wonderful defender, some of his marks are a work of (dark) art. Still has a tendency to overdo the long bomb…a little more time scanning for options would add to an already great package.
Lachie Schultz: Ideal small forward and always a candidate for mark or goal of the year. Can drift out of games though that is a danger in his position.
Caleb Serong: All-Australian no less! Very competitive, very fit and wins the ball in difficult contests. One of the team’s leaders. I’d like a few more goals.
Ethan Stanley: The mid-season arrival looked ok in his couple of AFL appearances. Missing WAFL finals with an injury and that’s a pity.
Sam Sturt: Highly skilled and made good progress in 2023. Belief is the key.
Sam Switkowski: Busy type who adds ball-winning clout in the midfield from time-to-time. More goals required.
Matt Taberner: Injured early and late. If next year isn’t his last it will be good news as it will mean he’s actually done something.
Josh Treacy: Good year. Needs to kick more goals and hold more marks – looks capable of achieving both. Really useful in the ruck when needed. And he’s only 13 or something.
Corey Wagner: Pleasingly willing to take things on in the back line. Just needs to be a little tidier.
Brandon Walker: Not a good year and it was ended by a serious injury. Has what it takes but looked unsure in 23.
Michael Walters: Had a really good year and seemed to enjoy linking up with the kids in the forward line.
Conrad Williams: Played five league games for Peel.
Nathan Wilson: Played with dash and daring the WAFL and looked ok when used by Freo too. Commendable attitude. Played 155 AFL games, that’s a good career.
Karl Worner: Finally made his way into the team and looked at home. His kicking is not as good as it looks. That’s his summer homework task.
Hayden Young: There was a lot to like about his move to the midfield. He’s a better kick than the others in there; he can win the ball; he’s big and strong and he’s willing to match-up with opposition stars. A late-season bright spot.
Claudia Tripp: I think there’s too much noise at the footy. But Claudia’s rendition of Country Roads at Country Round was sensational.
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