Take a deep dive into Fremantle and West Coast’s prospects for 2021 with our award-winning experts
Fremantle exceeded expectations under new coach Justin Longmuir last season, but are the Dockers primed to play finals? David King says yes. Here’s why.
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Fremantle was expected to drop off a cliff after beginning to slide under Ross Lyon.
But the focused approach of Justin Longmuir helped the Dockers regain respect across the competition in 2021.
Can they continue to climb this season?
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Simeon Thomas-Wilson’s six people who will define Fremantle in 2021:
■ Justin Longmuir:
Impressed in his first season as a senior coach despite the evolving nature of Fremantle’s list. A strong foundation on defence meant the Dockers were hard to score against in 2020 but found the going tough when it came to scoring goals themselves. Longmuir has said he wants five more goals a game from his side in 2021.
■ Nat Fyfe:
This is where Fyfe could come in. A dual Brownlow Medal winner in the midfield, Fyfe was notably deployed as a forward when games were on the line as Longmuir looked to give the Freo youngsters experience in the middle. Fremantle are still without the key forward they crave but could Fyfe at 192cm be the goalkicker they need?
■ Andrew Brayshaw
If Fyfe is to play more forward then a lot will be expected of Brayshaw after his breakout 2020. Emerged as one of the best young midfielders in the competition when given more responsibility by Longmuir. Laid a club-leading 84 tackles, and will be expected to put up similar numbers by the Fremantle coaching staff.
■ Caleb Serong:
The Rising Star for the 2020 season, Serong will be backed to build on his outstanding rookie year. Has shown he can deliver in roles normally played by more mature midfielders, negating some of the game’s best but still able to win his own footy and have an impact offensively.
■ Adam Cerra
Tipped to make a move to inside midfield, Cerra is one to watch early on in the season for the Dockers. And with contract extension talks with the Dockers on hold, whether Cerra stays at Fremantle past this season or goes to Victoria will have a big impact on the future of Longmuir’s side.
■ Mark McGowan:
Will the Dockers have the home ground advantage they have enjoyed so much in the past for the whole of 2021? This will depend on whether McGowan’s tendency to keep Western Australia’s borders sealed continues this year – with the Dockers having to twice go into hubs in 2020. If anything sums up the new normal COVID-19 has created it is having a premier as a person who will define a football club’s season.
BEST 22 FOR ROUND 1
B: Joel Hamling, Luke Ryan, Ethan Hughes
HB: Nathan Wilson, Alex Pearce, Hayden Young
C: Blake Acres, Andrew Brayshaw, Stephen Hill
HF: Michael Walters, Rory Lobb, Sam Switkowski
F: Nat Fyfe, Matt Taberner, Lachie Schultz
R: Sean Darcy, Adam Cerra, Caleb Serong
Inter: James Aish, Taylin Duman, Liam Henry, David Mundy
INS: Heath Chapman (West Perth), Nathan O’Driscoll (Perth), Brandon Walker (East Fremantle), Joel Western (Claremont), Josh Treacy (Bendigo Pioneers)
OUTS: Jesse Hogan (GWS), Brandon Matera (delisted), Cam McCarthy (delisted), Jason Carter (delisted), Dillon O’Reilly (delisted), Isaiah Butters (delisted), Hugh Dixon (delisted), Tom North (delisted), Jarvis Pina (delisted)
CHAMPION DATA
The good: The Dockers ranked in the top-four sides for points conceded from stoppages, opposition scores per inside 50 and points against.
The bad: Fremantle averaged just 50.9 points per game – ranked 16th. They also ranked in the bottom-four sides for points scored from both stoppages, turnovers and scores per inside 50.
After six matches: Four wins, two losses
Rd 1: v Melbourne (MCG) — L
Rd 2: v GWS (Optus) — W
Rd 3 v Carlton (Marvel) — L
Rd 4 v Hawthorn (Optus) — W
Rd 5 v Adelaide (AO) — W
Rd 6 v North Melbourne (Optus) – W
It’s a pretty kind fixture for Fremantle to start the season, especially if their game against the Giants remains in Perth. The Dockers would be backing themselves to beat the Hawks, Crows and Kangaroos, while don’t discount them against Melbourne or Carlton.
EXPECTED FINISH
While the Dockers should have a fast start to the season, they are still a young side that is lacking a key forward. If Longmuir can find a way to get Fremantle scoring then the Dockers might be able to have a crack at a finals spot.
Prediction: 11th
ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES
Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson tackles the Saints.
LIKES
Build the defence first and then try to nail the offence. It looked like Justin Longmuir implemented that plan in his first year. It worked pretty well. The Dockers are a tough team. They lost the first four games in 2020 and won seven and lost six after that, all the while with a high injury list. The transformation in the midfield, where Longmuir gave more time to the youth, will be an even bigger success this year. Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw, Lachie Schultz, Taylin Duman and Caleb Serong are the “now” and not only the future. The challenge is forward, and Longmuir knows that. Ross Lyon was criticised for not being more attacking and Longmuir will face the same scrutiny if goals don’t come.
DISLIKES
The stats are there for all to see. The Dockers were the third-worst scoring team in 2020, ranked 17th for scores inside 50 and 15th for points from turnovers. And that’s with Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe hanging around the F50. That has to change if the Dockers are to play finals unless, of course, Longmuir wants an eight-to-seven-goal type of contest. Jesse Hogan’s gone, which was a good decision, but it means they need more from Rory Lobb and even more from Fyfe if he is to be more a forward than midfielder. Add a layer of dare with the pill and the Dockers could be this year’s bolter.
VERDICT
In the middle ranks.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Fox Footy experts Nick Riewoldt, David King, Leigh Montagna and Jordan Lewis join Robbo to give their predictions for 2021 on Fremantle.
ROBBO: I think in 2020 the Dockers were a team that everyone thought, ‘Gee, they’re going all right’ with the elevation of their kids. I think they got a hold of their team a lot quicker than what most of us thought was going to happen. What are their expectations this year?
KINGY: They’re my bolter for the eight. I think they can win a lot of close games. They’ve trusted the kids last year and given them the experience to go and win a game for them late, which I think will hold them in good stead. It will fast track their youngsters and I love what they’ve done at the draft.
ROBBO: What does that say about the coach, that he will go with the kids in the midfield and leave Mundy and Fyfe out?
KINGY: I think he’s honest, Justin Longmuir. You hear a lot of coaches preach they want to fast track development but they don’t do anything. They don’t create any opportunities or moments for those youngsters. He trusts the group. I think the transitioning of Jesse Hogan out sends a message to the whole group and I love what Longmuir is doing.
ROOEY: It couldn’t have been a more difficult baptism for a coach either in terms of actually trying to press your game style and your plan onto a new group with all the restrictions in place last year. How do you actually instil a game plan into a group first up with those kinds of limitations? Yet we still saw it every week. And that will only get more refined with a full off-season. I think they’re on such a great track at the moment.
JORDAN: The simplicity in what they did last year was evident. What I think Fremantle would have said was, ‘OK, we’re going to be time poor this year, we’re going into a hub and we have no time to train. Where can we focus all our energy? We’re young so what’s the most important thing of the foundation we need to set? We need to do our defence so let’s put all our energy on how we defend and not be worried about offence.’ I think 2020 leant itself to that in the way they played. They never got blown out of the water. With the young talent they’ve got coming in, I’m quite bullish about them.
JOEY: I think the reason why Fyfe is playing more forward is they’re thinking in a couple of years when they’re a contender, Fyfe is going to be more of a forward. In this year’s trade period they sat idle because I think they probably realised they’re 12 to 24 months away so they’ll go and try a land a big fish when they think the window is open.
ROBBO: Verdict, Rooey?
ROOEY: I think they’ll be in the range from sixth to 10th, battling to get in the eight. I think they have the potential to get in there but they may be just on the outside. But their trajectory is up.
BIG THREAT TO EAGLES’ REBOUND PLANS AFTER ‘WASTED’ YEAR
Season 2020 did not meet lofty expectations for the Eagles — or some their star players — as the side failed to win a final.
But can coach Adam Simpson return West Coast to a third Grand Final in seven years this season?
Or will state border wars again take their toll?
Chris Cavanagh’s six people who will define the club in 2021:
■ Mark McGowan
The iron-fisted Western Australia premier didn’t do the Eagles or Dockers many favours last season with his draconian border controls which forced the state’s two clubs to spend most of the season in Queensland. While McGowan has since watered down his restrictions a little, his strict attitude to borders could again cause major problems for the Perth-based teams if there are minor COVID-19 outbreaks in other states throughout the season. West Coast held an impressive 7-1 record at home last season, but only 5-5 away in the sunshine state.
■ Nic Naitanui
As Gerard Healy puts it, Naitanui has every weapon in a ruckman’s artillery – the flipper, the flopper, the dropper, the over-the-topper and the whopper. He is central to how the Eagles play and the club and its fitness staff need to keep him fit and on the field if they are to challenge for another premiership this year. Naitanui played 17 games last season – his most since 2015 – which is hopefully a good sign that injury issues of recent years are in the rear-view mirror for now.
■ Adam Simpson
He took the Eagles to a premiership in 2018, but coach Simpson has had one win from three finals since with a similar-looking team. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, but Simpson will be looking to squeeze more out of his playing group after what he labelled a “bit of a waste” of a season last year after a home elimination final loss to Collingwood. The Eagles looked a little lost and lacked confidence at stages last year. It’s up to Simpson to rewrite the ship this season.
■ Tim Kelly
He wasn’t alone in having a little bit of a down year at West Coast, but Kelly’s output in 2020 wasn’t close to what he produced at Geelong in 2019. The 26-year-old was supposed to make the Eagles’ midfield the AFL’s most formidable. While he didn’t have a bad year, he averaged only 20 disposals (down from 25.4 in 2019) and only 0.28 goals a game (down from 0.96 in 2019). West Coast gave up two first-round picks in the trade for Kelly and will be hoping he can step things up this year.
■ Glenn Stewart
The Eagles’ high-performance manager, along with his medical team, have some work to do as gun midfielder Elliot Yeo continues an ongoing battle with osteitis pubis which has him in doubt for the start of the season. The runner-up in West Coast’s 2019 best-and-fairest count, Yeo did not play after Round 11 last year due to the injury and soreness has forced the Eagles to pull back his pre-season program at different stages over summer. West Coast can little afford for the issue to persist and Yeo to miss half a season or more again this year.
■ Oscar Allen
He’s still only 38 games into his AFL career but there’s a lot to like about Allen and you sense a big 2021 could be on the cards. The key forward lacked consistency at times last year but dazzled when he was up and about and booted multiple goals in each of his last three games, including the elimination final against Collingwood. With fellow key forward Josh Kennedy likely to hang up the boots at season’s end, Allen shapes as the future alongside Jack Darling. But he will also have a big role to play in the Eagles’ fortunes this year.
BEST 22 FOR ROUND 1
B: Tom Barrass, Brad Sheppard, Tom Cole
HB: Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern, Liam Duggan
C: Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, Dom Sheed
HF: Zac Langdon, Jack Darling, Jamie Cripps
F: Oscar Allen, Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan
R: Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo
Int: Jackson Nelson, Jack Redden, Jake Waterman, Alex Witherden
INS & OUTS:
In: Alex Witherden (Brisbane), Zac Langdon (Greater Western Sydney), Luke Edwards (national draft), Isiah Winder (national draft), Zane Trew (rookie draft)
Out: Hamish Brayshaw (del), Tom Hickey (trd), Lewis Jetta (del), Mitch O’Neill (del), Nic Reid (del), Will Schofield (ret), Anthony Treacy (del), Francis Watson (del)
Prediction after first six rounds: 5 wins, 1 loss
R1 v Gold Coast (Optus) – W
R2: Western Bulldogs (Marvel) – W
R3: Port Adelaide (Optus) – W
R4: St Kilda (Marvel) – W
R5: Collingwood (Optus) – W
R6: Geelong (GMHBA) – L
There’s not many easy games in the AFL anymore, but it’s not a terrible start for an Eagles side that should be flying high this year. The clash with the Cats in Geelong is the main question mark, but the home game against the Power helps in the other particularly hard clash.
Expected finish: 3rd-6th
West Coast spent much of last year based in Australia’s rollercoaster capital – the Gold Coast – and it was similarly a rollercoaster ride for the side in 2020. After a slow start, the Eagles peaked mid-season only to dive back down later in the year and bomb out of finals in the first week. But on paper they are a strong side that big things should be expected of this year.
ROBBO’S LIKES AND DISLIKES
Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson tackles the Eagles.
LIKES
After a restless year in the hub and with injuries, I think the band is back together for 2021 and the Eagles will be strong contenders. List changes were minimal, so the Eagles are confident with their squad. Elliot Yeo back for a full season (hopefully) is a huge plus because he is a warrior and (hopefully again) Liam Ryan gets even better as a forward‑mid. Keep ’em out of a hub and the Eagles will be tough to beat.
DISLIKES
They would love another small forward because they didn’t find a consistent replacement for Willie Rioli. The Eagles get enough of the ball inside 50, but are there enough scroungers underneath Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling and Oscar Allen? Is three talls still the right mix? Probably, because the Eagles like to go long. Age is on them and with that can come injuries, so that could be an issue. But that’s the case for most clubs. Expect the Eagles to be rocking at home.
VERDICT
A contender for top four.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Fox Footy experts Nick Riewoldt, David King, Leigh Montagna and Jordan Lewis join Robbo to give their predictions for 2021 on West Coast.
ROBBO: They’ve been up for a while, the Eagles. Do they have another contending year left in them?
JORDAN: I expect them to be up there again. I think they’re a top four side. They play enough home games to register 12 or 13 wins. They get Elliot Yeo back, who was missing for a large portion of the year. They’re a great clearance side but what he provides is the outer layer in what we were talking about with Melbourne earlier. He provides that X-factor of being able to break through. They’re window is small – this year and next year. Whether they can challenge the good sides like Richmond and Geelong, it’s right now because their players and their genuine stars are getting older.
JOEY: I’m about the same. They’ll win enough games to be around the top four, somewhere between third and sixth. Nic Naitanui is still crucial and Josh Kennedy is coming towards the end, but they like Oscar Allen. Young Bailey Williams might get more games. Shannon Hurn isn’t getting any younger. But they’ll still be a chance and they’ll probably need home finals if they’re a chance to win a flag. They need to evolve their game plan a little bit and I think Adam Simpson is aware of that. They play a lot of back-half football and I think they need to play more front half. They need to lock it in a bit more.
ROOEY: They didn’t have a lot go right last year. I think what they were able to achieve was pretty special given all the obstacles, but they couldn’t get going to start the year. Put that down to attitude, being in the hub and all the obstacles they faced. Some teams handled it, they didn’t. Their midfield was decimated at a really important time of the year and McGovern went out late in the year. So I think give them a full squad and they’ll be right there with the very best teams.
KINGY: It’s too simplistic to say they’re too old because their older players are still performing at a pretty high level. Kennedy is still a dominant force in the forward 50.
ROBBO: They’ve got the three targets in the forward line in Kennedy, Jack Darling and Liam Ryan. But do they need more speed or do they need speed on the game?
KINGY: It’s all part of how they play though, isn’t it? They play a methodical, workmanlike, take territory slowly type game.
JORDAN: The good sides, if they’re not having a good day, they find a way to put on four, five goals in quick succession. It feels like for me, they don’t necessarily have a gear to go to if they really need to add some pace around the midfield. Yeo was a huge loss last year in that area, but overall they need to travel well. If they’re going to be a serious contender and play in a grand final, they have to travel well.
ROBBO: Verdicts?
JOEY: Between fourth and sixth.
KINGY: Wouldn’t be surprised if they slid this year, but they’ll be in the top six.
ROOEY: Top five for me.
JORDAN: Top five as well.
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