FREMANTLE fell agonisingly short of its maiden Grand Final appearance but put the footy world on notice with some record-breaking performances this season.

New captain Hayley Miller led her side from the front, earning her first All-Australian selection and named as the side's vice-captain, while match winner Ebony Antonio took home the prize for Goal of the Year.

Over the next few weeks, womens.afl will look at each of the seasons of the 14 AFLW teams in reverse ladder order.

Coach: Trent Cooper

Leadership group: Hayley Miller (captain), Ange Stannett, Kiara Bowers (vice-captains), Gabby O'Sullivan, Steph Cain

2022 home and away finishing position: Fifth, seven wins and three losses, 134.9 per cent. Lost to Adelaide in a preliminary final.

Best team performance: In the side's third week in a Melbourne hub, the Dockers had the unenviable task of taking on Collingwood at Victoria Park, where the home side was on an eight-game winning streak. That, however, didn't faze the Dockers as they constricted the ground, keeping the Pies to the club's lowest score (1.1.7) and fewest inside 50s (10) while on their way to a dominant 31-point victory.

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Best individual performance: In a dominant season that saw her earn her first All-Australian honours, captain Hayley Miller's game against Carlton in round six was as impressive a performance we will see. Winning 24 disposals and eight clearances, Miller also laid six tackles and delivered the ball inside 50 five times, only slipping up in her accuracy at goal, kicking three behinds for the day.

NAB AFLW Rising Star nominations: Sarah Verrier, Mikayla Morrison, Dana East

Fremantle's Dana East (left) and Roxy Roux celebrate a goal during round three, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Debutants: Dana East, Amy Franklin, Jess Low, Maggie MacLachlan, Ann McMahon, Mikayla Morrison, Airlie Runnalls, Aine Tighe, Makaela Tuhakaraina, Sarah Wielstra, Mikayla Western

Retirees: Yet to be announced

Delistings: Yet to be announced

Most improved: Gabby O'Sullivan's move to the midfield was a masterstroke from the Dockers. Her speed through the contest adds a point of difference through the middle of the ground and generated plenty of attack. This year O'Sullivan averaged 15.6 disposals - well up on her 9.1 average from last season - and 3.2 inside 50s, with her best performance coming in Fremantle's qualifying final win over North Melbourne.

Fremantle's Gabby O'Sullivan celebrates a goal during the qualifying final against North Melbourne. Picture: AFL Photos

Star recruit: Aine Tighe's must awaited debut in round one proved to the footy world why the Dockers - and Tighe - have persisted through a tough couple of years. Tighe signed on ahead of the 2020 season but has battled knee injuries keeping her on the sidelines until this year. Starting in attack, Tighe's presence inside 50 helped Fremantle structurally, providing a tall target that is willing to apply ground-level pressure and set up teammates, but then a move to defence when the side's tall defensive stocks were tested showed the true versatility of the Irishwoman.

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Unsung hero: Playing a vital role out on the wing, Steph Cain's consistency throughout the season was vital for Fremantle's fortunes. Her role as a linking player between the midfield and attack saw her average 2.8 inside 50s from her 12.1 disposals per game, while also registering 1.7 score involvements and 234.3 metres gained each week.

What worked:

  • Fremantle debuted 11 players this season - albeit some out of pure necessity due to health and safety protocols - with many of those debutants proving to be crucial members of the side as the season progressed. This was most evident around the ball, with Dana East's consistent, contested work in the midfield important to the sides' successes. Moving forward, the Dockers will be better for the experience they were able to get into new players this season.
  • Late in the season the Dockers showed their proficiency in adapting to situations they were presented with, able to adjust their own strengths to take away what their opponents aimed to do. This was most evident in their qualifying final win over North Melbourne, shifting away from their highly contested game style to use more composure on the outside.
  • That being said, their ability to build their game off high pressure, then transition that into really attacking football was a cornerstone of their success this season. Averaging a competition high 71.2 tackles per game, the Dockers did well to suffocate their opponents, then use the power of Miller and speed of O'Sullivan to break away from the congestion and send the ball into attack.
Fremantle's Stephanie Cain and Adelaide's Erin Phillips get tangled up during round three, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

What needs improvement:

  • The Dockers were exposed at times in terms of tall, key position players. With Janelle Cuthbertson injured for much of the season, Tighe was needed in defence - and excelled - but that did rob their forward line of some structure in the back half of the season. Another big utility would be a valuable addition to the side as Amy Franklin and Emma O'Driscoll continue to grow in those key positions at either end of the ground.

Early call for next season: Relatively protected from expansion, the Dockers will be one of the teams to beat in season seven thanks to experienced youngsters and a strong senior cohort.

Season rating: 8/10