Three quarters strong: Fremantle Dockers 2008

2007 season: 10-12 (11th)
2008 season: 6-16 (14th)

6 wins over the course of a 22 match would give the indication that your a pretty average team. The fact is that Fremantle could have just as easily won twice as many games as they did. Fremantle were truly a three-quarter team, playing strong football for three quarters before fading (or imploding) in the final quarter. For five weeks in a row from round 6-10 the Dockers led deep into the second half and lost. Five times in a row. They also coughed up a pair of games against Sydney and Essendon (both by 4 points) that they definitely should not have. The Dockers were a remarkable 1-10 in games decided by 3 goals or less. How did this happen? Well, it's harsh, but if Matthew Pavlich could kick straight at the death the Dockers more likely than not would have beaten Geelong (definite), Sydney (definite), Carlton (probable), Port Adelaide (possible). It's a bit difficult though to peg the failed season on the club's best player. The fact is that in final terms the Dockers tightened up, over-possessed the ball, made stupid errors and couldn't get any run going. Looking at their results they should have definitely beaten Geelong, Melbourne, the Bulldogs and Sydney. They had 50/50 matches against Carlton, Essendon, Port Adelaide and Richmond that went against them. Give them the wins they definitely should have had and half of the 50/50s and that's 12 wins for the season and finals. This team is not that far off.

The Dockers got a lot younger this year. Veterans Matthew Carr, Peter Bell, Shaun McManus, Mark Johnson, Jeff Farmer and Heath Black all retired. The Dockers played the youth towards the end of the season and it looked good. The core of youth the Dockers has looks very impressive. Clayton Hinkley, Chris Mayne, Garrick Ibbotson and of course Rhys Palmer all looked great. None of those guys had played a game of AFL before 2008. The next group of young guys, Paul Duffield (23), Ryan Crowley (24), Michael Johnson (23), Robert Warnock (21), Byron Schammer (23), Brett Peake (25) and David Mundy (23) will all be at the team for a while to come.

Despite the losses they've taken, the veteran group still looks very decent. Paul Haselby (27) is still a gun and will be hoping to bounce back after missing all of this year. Next year he'll provide a touch of class and hardness the Dockers midfield might have been missing. Des Headland (27) is still a super talent, he just needs to get it all together. Roger Hayden (27) has emerged as a gun defender, capable of shutting down his opponnent and providing dash. Luke McPharlin (26) is a tremendous athlete and talent and put together a great 2008. Josh Carr (28) if he sticks around is still one of the best taggers in the league. He'll be looking to continue as a key defender that can be swung forward next year. Aaron Sandilands is the dominant tap-ruckman in the league. With the continued development of Palmer and Ibbotson, as well as the return of Haselby, the Dockers midfield could be scary in the future at the feet of Sandilands. Dean Solomon and Chris Tarrant can still both contribute, albeit in differant ways. Solomon is a low-skill player high on toughness, his presence is still welcome at Fremantle you suspect. Chris Tarrant after poor form early salvaged his season with some solid form. He's still an elite talent, and can provide a very good #2 option behind Matthew Pavlich. Any team with Matthew Pavlich (still just 26) has something to look forward to. You suspect that the Dockers have two or three years left of Pavlich in his prime, and they need to make the most of it.

The immediate future for Fremantle looks a lot brighter than it does for either of the two teams below them. The Dockers played solid respectable football all season, and in the final two weeks they showed what the future is capable of. The final match of the season against Collingwood showcased their hopes for 2009. Matthew Pavlich is an elite player, Rhys Palmer is not far behind. With the blend of youth and experience the Dockers have they will be a contender for finals next year. Even if they fall short at least their fans have years of Rhys Palmer to look forward to.

2008
Best player: I'm temped to say Rhys Palmer, because of Pavlich's late game slip-ups, but that would be an injustice. Despite playing on a 6 win team Matthew Pavlich was brilliant in what was arguably his finest season. A dominant player in the league.
Best match: Round 18, Fremantle 17. 14 116 def. West Coast 12. 11 83 (Subiaco)
Emotion charged win in Shaun McManus' final game.
Worst match: Round 4, Fremantle: 10. 13 73 def. by Richmond 20. 17 137 (Subiaco)
Losing at home by ten goals in the fourth round to the Wooden spooner is unforgivable. I'm still in shock that this actually happened.
Key players: Matthew Pavlich, Rhys Palmer, Garrick Ibbotson, Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden, Paul Haselby, Aaron Sandilands.
Needs to lift: Des Headland, Chris Tarrant. Headland was a star on the rise at Brisbane but has largely disappointed at Fremantle. Needs to lift to repay the Dockers for the price they paid for him. Chris Tarrant was once a terrific player, and considering his age he should still be in his prime. Needs to kick 40 odd goals next year next to Pavlich.
2009 forecast: Anything could happen next year for the Dockers. I don't think they'll make finals, but they won't be a pushover. A middling result of about 12th wouldn't surprise me, but it will leave fans feeling better about the club than they are right now. The future is bright.
2008 grade: D+