David King and Mark Robinson look at how far Ross Lyon can take Fremantle in 2018

AFTER their horror finish to last year, talk of finals might seem laughable for Fremantle. But there is a way, according to DAVID KING, that the club can get there and it has everything to do with Nat Fyfe.

ROSS “the Renovator” Lyon said it would take four to five years before the Fremantle rebuild was complete and it would become a finals force again.

But it may come earlier than expected, and the key platform for success in 2018 will be to maximise Nat Fyfe.

The 2015 Brownlow medallist is about to resume duties as the competition’s most destructive and physically brutal midfielder. He has undertaken his most complete pre-season in years.

The overpowering, ball-winning freak show is back in town and ready to maul opposition midfielders again.

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Only Sydney’s Josh Kennedy and Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield have averaged more contested possession in the past five seasons, but the Dockers also need Fyfe to become their best forward threat.

Fyfe wins more than 40 per cent of his one-on-one marking contests forward of centre — ranked in the top three in the league alongside Dangerfield and Dustin Martin. That’s when he was rested, but starting forward when he is fresh ensures tremendous scope for improvement on what are already lofty standards.

Nat Fyfe needs to hit the scoreboard for the Dockers in 2018. Picture: AAP Images

I’m starting a campaign: “Fyfe inside 50 for 50” — goals, that is.

If the Dockers are to play finals, Fyfe must kick 35 goals or more, which is double his 2017 return. Their forward 50 simply hasn’t functioned, as their inability to turn an inside-50 entry into a score is ranked in the bottom four teams in the AFL.

Lyon will expect a bigger return from Cam McCarthy after a 25-goal first season as the talent forward of centre starts to look threatening. Add Brandon Matera via a trade from the Suns and things could change dramatically. And who knows if Harley Bennell will ever pay dividends after only two games in two years and multiple misdemeanours?

Lachie Neale and the Hill brothers need to replicate last season’s efforts, while some midfield support via the draft with picks two and five, Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra, will have immediate effect around stoppages and as goalkicking options pushing forward.

The major issue for the Dockers has been the inability to move the ball from defence to attack. The “skill-less six” down back really haven’t posed any offensive threat for some time. Enter Nathan Wilson.

The ex-Giants star will be the league’s most influential trade. An aggressive ball-carrying defender, Wilson led the AFL for metres gained per disposal last year. The evergreen Michael Johnson needed another half-back threat riding shotgun and Wilson may just correct their ball movement flaws.

Expect them to record 9-11 wins as “The Renovator” has more elite talent to work with.

How far can Ross Lyon lead the Dockers in 2018? Picture: Getty Images

ROBBO’S TACKLE

WHAT I LIKE

Nat Fyfe second up after a broken leg will be much improved, as we saw in the international series. Suspect he will play forward as well, where there are issues. Aaron Sandilands fit is a tick, the arrival of Nathan Wilson adds to the speed offered by the Hill brothers, Connor Blakely and Ed Langdon jumped through hoops in 2017, Lachie Neale is a star, David Mundy is a warrior and down back Griffin Logue, Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce will get plenty of games. Still in a major developing phase — Ross Lyon has to play kids — and there were some terrible hidings in 2017. The Dockers will be more competitive this year, but for how long into the season is the question.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE

The Dockers have been a bit troublesome off-field, led by Harley Bennell. He should be an inch away from getting his contract torn up. He can’t control himself when he needs to and that puts pressure on the coach. I accept a rebuild requires patience, but this team needs some Lyon magic fast. There are problems forward. Cam McCarthy didn’t live up to the hype, Brandon Matera will help, Hayden Ballantyne is at the end, maybe Brennan Cox plays forward and Shane Kersten is the other tall. Rival teams won’t exactly be shivering in their boots.

VERDICT

Bottom three