Andrew Capel looks at the reasons Fremantle fans can be confident heading into 2018

AFTER missing the finals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2009, Fremantle is building again. Andrew Capel looks at the reasons Dockers fans can look forward to 2018.

Harley Bennell finally made his Fremantle debut late in 2017.

AFTER missing the finals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2009, Fremantle is building again.

It got its teeth into this year’s draft and in the space of a year has gone from having the third-oldest list to the 10th.

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Can Ross Lyon reset and behind superstar captain Nat Fyfe take the Dockers back to the heights of their Grand Final season of 2013.

Here are eight reasons the Dockers can improve in 2018.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon talks to captain Nat Fyfe.

1. NAT FYFE

Fremantle fans would have been delighted with what they saw from their captain during the two-Test International Series between Australia and Ireland.

Fyfe, who played just five games in 2016 because of a broken leg after being a runaway winner of the 2015 Brownlow Medal, finished this year strongly but really hit his straps in the round-ball game against the Irish, prompting Australian coach Chris Scott to declare “he’s in ripping shape’’.

A genuine matchwinner when on song, 190cm utility Fyfe looms as a difference-maker for Fremantle next season.

2. THE REBUILD

Coach Ross Lyon has been trying to rebuild his side since its dramatic crash from third in 2015 to 16th the following year after four consecutive finals appearances. The Dockers rose slightly last season, finishing 14th with an 8-14 record, but four of their wins were by less than a goal and they suffered some horrific defeats.

Having virtually won the lotto by trading Lachie Weller to Gold Coast for pick two at the national draft, Fremantle landed two of the country’s best teenagers in Victorian midfielders Andrew Brayshaw (No.2) and Adam Cerra (No.5). With a host of other draftees coming in, the Dockers have gone from having the third-oldest list to the 10th.

They have 25 players aged 22 and under while several youngsters showed promising signs this year, including ruckman Sean Darcy, key defender Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan, giving them hope that they can climb the ladder.

Lachie Neale was again one of the AFL’s most prolific midfielders.

David Mundy remains a class midfielder for Fremantle.

3. THE MIDFIELD

There’s plenty of excitement here. Fyfe is the bona fide star whose fitness will be crucial to Fremantle’s success in 2018 but he has a strong supporting cast. Ball magnet Lachie Neale led the club in disposals last season with 571 at an average of 27, veteran David Mundy is still a class player, the Hill brothers, Stephen and Brad, are excitement machines who run and carry the footy and Connor Blakely continues to improve.

With veteran ruckman Aaron Sandilands and the emerging Darcy giving them a good look at the ball in the centre square they could cause plenty of headaches for their opponents.

4. MICHAEL WALTERS

THE three-times Fremantle leading goalkicker - one of the best small forwards in the AFL - is a jet who spent more time in the midfield last season.

While he missed the final five games with a knee injury, he had a handful of dominant games. These included a 32-disposal, six-goal performance against St Kilda in Round 15 and a 38-disposal effort against Richmond in Round 8, illustrating that he is not just a goalkicker.

5. THE HILL BOYS

Speed kills and Brad and Stephen Hill have it in bucketloads. The brothers’ ability to break the lines and pinpoint targets inside 50m will be critical to Fremantle’s hopes of pushing for the top eight next season.

Smooth-moving left-footer Stephen will be entering his ninth season with the Dockers after being selected at pick three at the 2008 national draft while former Hawk Brad will be keen to back up his strong first season at the club when he won the Doig Medal as the side’s best-and-fairest.

“I thought it was one of my most consistent years but as a team I want to win more games because there is nothing like playing finals footy,” said Brad, who won three premierships with the Hawks.

6. THE KEY RECRUIT

Former Giant Nathan Wilson wanted to return home to WA and is a big pick-up for Fremantle. He is a metre-eater who adds speed, class and dynamic playmaking ability to a developing backline. Wilson, 24, is one of two experienced recruits for the Dockers, with small forward Brandon Matera also joining the club from Gold Coast.

Fremantle’s top draft picks Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw.

7. HARLEY BENNELL

The Dockers’ decision to trade for former Sun Bennell - an excitement machine with a history of off-field indiscretions - has so far backfired. But there were promising signs from him late last season when he played his first games for the club in Rounds 22 and 23 against Richmond and Essendon, kicking three goals. If he can recapture his best footy, he could provide some serious x-factor.

8. THE COACH

After two years without finals Lyon has run out of excuses. The rebuild is well underway and the coach will be demanding results and clear improvement from his young players. Renowned for producing teams that are tough and hard to play against, Lyon’s side was easy to play against last season as the club ranked last for disposals and second-last for goals. That must change.

Originally published as Andrew Capel looks at the reasons Fremantle fans can be confident heading into 2018