Fremantle Dockers eyeing top ladder spot for first time in history

FREMANTLE returned to Perth yesterday free of injury concerns and eyeing top spot on the ladder following Friday night’s ruthless demolition of Collingwood.

Nat Fyfe (right) started the season in blazing fashion. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Imag

FREMANTLE returned to Perth yesterday free of injury concerns and eyeing top spot on the ladder following Friday night’s ruthless demolition of Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

Doig Medallist Nat Fyfe’s substitution at three-quarter time was precautionary and the Dockers have a 15-day break to prepare for their Round 2 clash with Gold Coast at Patersons Stadium.

Fremantle’s comprehensive 70-point victory against the Magpies, 17.14 (116) to 5.16 (46), has given it a percentage of 252.2.

It could be enough to ensure the Dockers sit on top of the AFL table at the completion of a round for the first time in the club’s history.

Bookmakers are set to tighten Fremantle’s flag quote following the impressive away win, with reigning premier Hawthorn to kick off its season against Brisbane in Launceston next Saturday.

Fyfe starred with 20 possessions and a game-high nine clearances, before being handed the red vest, igniting debate over whether he deserved the three Brownlow votes, despite missing the final term.

Former Melbourne champion Garry Lyon declared Fyfe would become Fremantle’s first Brownlow medallist.

“If that’s not a Brownlow medallist in the making, Nat Fyfe, then I’m not here,’’ Lyon said.

“He plays the game in a manner where the umpires can’t miss him.’’

Fremantle is likely to have its entire Grand Final 22 available for the match against the Suns, with Nick Suban having served his suspension and Zac Clarke to push for inclusion at the expense of back-up big man Jack Hannath, who had only three possessions on Friday night.

Clarke is likely to make his return from a knee injury in next Saturday’s Round-1 WAFL showdown between Peel and East Perth at Bendigo Bank Stadium in Mandurah.

It will be the first clash between the host clubs of Fremantle and West Coast under the controversial new alignment model.

Emergencies Colin Sylvia and Clancee Pearce flew home on Friday night to play for Peel in yesterday’s practice match against South Fremantle.

They were among 12 Dockers to have a run for the Thunder, including Suban and Anthony Morabito.

Ruckman Jon Griffin is close to a return with Peel following his knee reconstruction. However, the comeback plans of fellow knee victim Kepler Bradley are sketchy.

Bradley, who received a one-year contract lifeline last October, is understood to have battled a series of hamstring problems throughout his rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, the match fell flat as a season-opening event, with a lack of atmosphere at the one-sided game.

The crowd of 37,571, the smallest attendance at a season-opener for nine years, was well below expectations.

Big Victorian clubs Carlton and Richmond had built a recent tradition of opening the season in front of huge crowds at the MCG, but the fixture lost its status as the season opener two years ago because of the AFL’s desire to begin the season earlier.