Fremantle’s 2014 report card: We look at the Dockers’ season and then you rate their year

WHAT did Fremantle get right and wrong in 2014? And what do the Dockers need to climb the ladder? See our verdict and have your say.

AFL - Fremantle Dockers vs Port Adelaide Power, Patersons Stadium, Perth. Photo by Daniel Wilkins. PICTURED- Fremantle's coach Ross Lyon watches on during the pre game ceremony.

SNAPSHOT

Wins: 16

Losses: 8

Draws: —

Ladder position: 6th (post finals)

%: 130.4

Last year: 2nd (down four places)

CHAMPION DATA SAYS

TICK — Made it extremely difficult for the opposition to hit the scoreboard at Patersons Stadium, conceding a measly 64.2 points per game. It restricted its opponents to less than 70 points in seven of 12 games.

CROSS — Led at quarter time in 12 games which was the second-worst result of any top eight side. It averaged 19 points per game in opening quarters which ranked a lowly 14th in the competition.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Well, Fremantle did again finish top four and play two finals — putting themselves in the position to challenge for the flag. Along the way, Ross Lyon implemented a more attacking brand of footy. The Round 21 win over the Hawks at Patersons showed just how quickly Freo can move the footy and how exciting the team can play. Whether it was an acknowledgment that his team could not win a premiership with the mega-press seen in previous years or not, but more goals resulted in more attractive footy — while still remaining a force.

As the coach was quick to point out after the straight-sets finals exit, the blooding of several youngsters and the impression other youngsters left in 2014 was also a big plus. Michael Apeness, Hayden Crozier, Matt Taberner, Lachie Neale and co gave more than enough signs to show this Freo side is not simply a fading force.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Michael Walters hobbles from the MCG in Round 3. Picture Wayne Ludbey

Injuries at the wrong time cruelled the Dockers’ chances of going one better than last season.

But one big blow in Round 3 may have been the telling blow. When Michael Walters dislocated a tendon in his left ankle during the big loss to Hawthorn — forcing him out for four months — Freo’s hopes of hosting a qualifying final went up in smoke.

The side’s recovery to finish top four was admirable — and they gave the Swans a mighty run at ANZ Stadium — but they were always battling. The loss of star defensive duo Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson ended the dream, with too much expected of the Ross Lyon’s less-experienced defence.

Off-season recruits Scott Gumbleton and the disappointing Colin Sylvia never fired a shot in their new colours, while Nat Fyfe’s questionable early suspension — which arguably cost him a Brownlow Medal — was further salt in Freo wounds.

Nat Fyfe outpoints Swan Luke Parker in the qualifying final. Picture: Toby Zerna

BEST-AND-FAIREST

All-Australian trio Hayden Ballantyne (20 matches), Nat Fyfe (20) and Aaron Sandilands (23) will all be front centre. Fyfe claimed his first Doig Medal last year and will again be tough to top after earning the players’ top gong — the AFL MVP — in 2014. Usual suspects David Mundy, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Johnson and Michael Barlow all played key roles this season and should fill top-10 positions.

SUPERCOACH STUD

Aaron Sandilands (485,200)

The big ruckman was snapped up by a huge number of SuperCoaches when prices were released and finished in 64 per cent of teams. Why? He was a bargain at just over 310K at the start of the year, raising his price by $174,500 throughout the year on the back of a superb season. Sometimes considered a risk, he was durable throughout his 23 matches, averaged 108.5 points per game, had a high score of 154 and a low of just 76.

Aaron Sandilands was a SuperCoach bargain — and pointscoring machine — for thousands in 2014. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

SUPERCOACH DUD

Matthew Pavlich (374,400)

Pav started the season priced $437,500 but whether it was a lack of support, a lack of touch or just old age, the Freo skipper didn’t hit the heights or previous years. He has beena dual-position prospect in recent years, too, but not in 2014, limiting his versatility. Pav averaged just 85.4 in 2014 (he did manage a high score of 143).

Matthew Pavlich had a solid season in attack, but the veteran could do with a hand. Picture: Phil Hillyard

THE LIST

Elite: Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Barlow, Nat Fyfe, Michael Johnson, David Mundy, Michael Walters

Big improvers: Hayden Crozier, Lachie Neale, Cameron Sutcliffe, Matt Taberner.

Gone: Kepler Bradley (retired), Scott Gumbleton (retired).

Going, going: Luke McPharlin, Josh Simpson

Trade bait: Nick Suban, Danyle Pearce.

WHAT THEY NEED

Support for Pav. While it may not have been a second tall option inside 50 that cost them against the Power, for a second straight year Fremantle could definitely have used another marking forward near goal. It’s little wonder Ross Lyon is wining and dining swingman James Frawley — who can play either end — and the dangerous Jarrad Waite, who while definitely in the twilight of his career is still capable of helping Freo pinch a flag.

After his side’s finals exit, Ross Lyon was quick to point out his team was going nowhere. Picture: Sarah Reed

PREMIERSHIP CLOCK

10pm. It was 11pm last year, but the question everyone is asking is: ‘Is it slipping backwards? Have the Dockers missed their chance?’ The coach’s strong words after their semi-final loss would have you believe no. And you know any side coached by Rossy will always be right in any contest. There’s still plenty of quality in this line-up (just look at that list of elite players). But can the likes of Pav, Sandilands and Michael Johnson — all key parts of a firing Freo side — be fit and at their best at the end of another campaign? The off-season and any potential acquisitions will also have a huge say on just whether the Purple Haze can again threaten at the business end.

REPORT CARD: FREMANTLE | Create Infographics

Originally published as Fremantle’s 2014 report card: We look at the Dockers’ season and then you rate their year