AFL 25: Eliza Reilly names her Fremantle Dockers team of the century so far

The easiest selection was Matthew Pavlich, widely viewed as the greatest ever Docker, writes ELIZA REILLY. But his place in the side also highlights one of the club’s biggest, ongoing issues.

Fremantle may not have yet tasted the ultimate success, but there’s still plenty of talent in this team.

With one losing grand final and eight finals appearances since the turn of the century, the best is still yet to come for the Dockers.

But this team still contains plenty of current and former greats, combining for 24 All-Australian blazers, 22 Doig Medals and two Brownlow medals (not counting Lachie Neale’s two at Brisbane) between them.

Matthew Pavlich in full flight.

The easiest selection was Pavlich, considered by many to be the greatest ever Docker.

Picking his partner in crime wasn’t as simple with the Dockers not flush with key forward options. Tony Modra and Clive Waterhouse didn’t play many games after the turn of the century.

At one point, Josh Treacy found himself at full-forward given no spearhead has had a season like his 2024 campaign since Pavlich but it was ultimately decided that he needed a bigger body of work.

Mayne gets the nod given he sits 5th on Fremantle’s all-time leading goalkicker list and was excellent between 2013-15.

The Dockers are rich in smalls though with Walters, Ballantyne and Farmer not only being fan favourites but holding places two, three and four on the club’s all-time goalkickers list.

Down back, the combination of Johnson, McPharlin and Ryan will be tough to pass while Parker finished runner-up in the Doig Medal twice and represented WA in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

The midfield picks itself in four-time All-Australian ruck Sandilands, two-time Brownlow medallist Fyfe, three-time Doig Medallist Bell and Fremantle games record holder Mundy.

Fremantle games record holder David Mundy. Picture: Tony McDonough

Serong has already won two best and fairests at the age of 23 and deserves a spot on the bench as does Brayshaw, cult hero Crowley and Neale who won two Doig Medals at Fremantle.

The final spot on the bench was hotly contested with the likes of Michael Barlow, Paul Medhurst and Paul Duffield in contention but McManus is a favourite son at Fremantle.

You can’t go past Ross Lyon as coach given he’s the only person to have taken the Dockers to a grand final.

Originally published as AFL 25: Eliza Reilly names her Fremantle Dockers team of the century so far