Eight reasons why Fremantle should be excited about season 2019
This is a new era for Fremantle under Ross Lyon. A younger squad, a fitter Nat Fyfe and finally landing a key forward are some of reasons Dockers fans can be excited about 2019.
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This is a new era for Fremantle under Ross Lyon.
A younger squad, a fitter Nat Fyfe and finally landing a key forward are some of reasons Dockers fans can be excited about this season.
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EIGHT REASONS WHY FREMANTLE CAN GET EXCITED
1. JESSE HOGAN
The Dockers have been screaming out for quality a key forward for years, particularly since Matthew Pavlich retired in 2016. Now they have finally got one in former Melbourne star Jesse Hogan. The 23-year-old was one of the biggest talents to change colours during the trade period on the back of a 47-goal season for Melbourne. In four years at the Demons, Hogan kicked 152 goals from 71 games, a more than respectable average of 2.1 a game. The Dockers ranked 15th for total goals last season at an average of just 10.2 a game and scored from only 41.2 per cent of inside-50 entries, also ranked 15th. Hogan adds structure and goalkicking ability which will make a huge difference in 2019.
2. EASIER FIXTURE
Despite finishing 14th on the ladder in 2017, Fremantle ended up with what Champion Data deemed to be the hardest fixture in 2018, with double-up matches against West Coast, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Collingwood and Carlton. The Dockers finished 14th again, but their 2019 fixture is much more kind. Fremantle faces double-up matches against West Coast, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda next season. Only the Eagles made finals in 2018.
3. HIDDEN GAINS
In both 2017 and 2018, Fremantle finished 14th on the ladder and won eight games. But there were a few inroads made last season if you dig a little deeper. There was only one 100-plus-point loss in 2018 after three in 2017 and defensively the Dockers only had 100 or more points scored on them nine times, two less than the previous season.
4. YOUNG STARS
After three years of bottom-five finishes, Fremantle has picked up some seriously talented young players through the draft. Andrew Brayshaw (pick No.2, 2017), Adam Cerra (pick No.5, 2017) and Griffin Logue (pick No.8, 2016), as well as lower 2016 selections Brennan Cox and Sean Darcy, have all shown signs they can be stars of the future. Logue missed 2018 with a foot problem but Cox and Cerra were both Rising Star nominees, while Brayshaw averaged 15.9 disposals a game in his debut season and Darcy averaged 33.3 hitouts. With those five alone, coach Ross Lyon has plenty to work with.
5. MORE FYFE
Nat Fyfe hasn’t had much luck on the injury front over the past three years. In 2016, he was restricted to five games due to a broken leg, while a high-grade hamstring meant he played just 15 games in 2018. However, during those 15 games, Fyfe was back to his 2015 Brownlow Medal form, averaging 28.7 disposals and 6.7 clearances. The Dockers will be hoping their skipper can stay on the park for longer next season and continue to produce such numbers.
6. OTHER ADDITIONS
Besides Hogan, the Dockers picked up a few handy players at the end of last season. Rory Lobb returns home to Perth from Greater Western Sydney, where the 207cm giant showed he could be anything but struggled to find consistency in games and from week to week. At 25 though, Lobb still has time to find that. Reece Conca joins from Richmond and adds a hardened body and some depth to the midfield. Travis Colyer crosses from Essendon and, while he didn’t have the year he would have liked because of a foot injury, he is a capable pressure forward who can push into the midfield when fit.
7. MORE HILL(S)
There is not exactly a plethora of speed in the Fremantle playing list. Much of it comes from two players — Stephen and Bradley Hill. However, between them the pair played just 23 of a possible 44 games last season due to and quad and knee issues respectively. Both players averaged more than 20 disposals a game in 2017 and kicked 17 goals between them from a combined 40 games that season. If they can stay fit, they will give the Dockers midfield a big boost in 2019.
8. SETTLING DOWN
The Dockers seemingly couldn’t get settled last season, with wholesale changes made to the side between games on a number of occasions. Twice during the year, coach Ross Lyon made six changes, only two of which were forced through injury each time. On a further three occasions, four changes were made, none of which were forced on one of those occasions. The Dockers ended up using 37 players for the season, less than some clubs but a lot more than North Melbourne (31) and West Coast (33). Expect a more settled line-up next season, which can make a big difference.
TAB ODDS
Premiership: $61
Top-8: $4
Most losses: $15
TRAJECTORY
2014: 4th (16-6, semi-final)
2015: 1st (17-5, preliminary final)
2016: 16th (4-18)
2017: 14th (8-14)
2018: 14th (8-14)
THE NUMBER: 16
This is the youngest side Ross Lyon has coached in his 12 years. The Dockers have the 16th rated list in the competition. Losing the fourth best midfielder, Lachie Neale, has really hurt them.
Source: CHAMPION DATA
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