After round 13 of the 2006 season, Fremantle was 6-7 and looking down the barrel of a third successive season without finals football. By the time round 22 was over, the Dockers had won nine games in a row, sewn up third place on the ladder and become everyone's second-favourite team. No longer mere nuisance value, Chris Connolly's men then made some noise in September, rebounding from a qualifying final loss to Adelaide by beating Melbourne and progressing to a preliminary final against Sydney. The Dockers eventually went down to the Swans by 35 points but were in the hunt for much of the contest and established themselves as a side to watch in the future.2007 TO DATEFremantle began 2007 as a strong tip for a maiden flag but their campaign got off to a shaky start when star small forward Jeff Farmer and defender Michael Johnson were suspended for six and four matches respectively in the round 2 NAB Cup loss to the Kangaroos. The season proper didn't begin in terribly flash fashion either, with Fremantle squandering a six-goal lead early in the third quarter in a round one home loss to Port Adelaide, before being beaten by Essendon and West Coast. A solid round four win over Melbourne got the ball rolling before last week's one-point nail-biter over Adelaide, although the latter result was tempered by news of an in-house suspension that will keep Farmer out of AFL action until at least round 14.MISSING IN ACTIONThe biggest name here is unquestionably Farmer, who will sit out the next eight weeks after being charged with assault following an alleged incident involving a night-club bouncer. Simply brilliant throughout the Dockers' charge into last year's finals, Farmer has been simply missing in 2007, with a six-match ban for pre-season eye-gouging preventing him taking the field thus far. Promising midfielder Andrew Browne is out with a hamstring problem and the pacy Brett Peake is still three weeks away from resuming from a broken collarbone. The classy Byron Schammer won't be available until round 13 because of complications from summer surgery to remove his appendix.THE COACH Neale Daniher (and before him Dean Laidley) might the be punters' elect for first coach sacked in 2007, but Freo mentor Connolly is parked in a pretty hot seat as well. The former Melbourne player has taken Fremantle to the finals twice in his five years in charge, including last year's effort, when the Dockers came from a less-than-promising position to reach the preliminary final. Anything less than a repeat effort will be considered in a disappointment in the west, with high expectations fuelled by a strong list, the presence of Matthew Pavlich, a tangible home ground advantage and an increasing ability to deliver in pressure situations.THE GUNEven the best judges struggle to split Jonathan Brown, Matthew Pavlich and Barry Hall when trying to decide on the game's most influential key forward. Lions fans will undoubtedly plump for Brown but they'll get to judge for themselves this weekend when Pavlich struts his stuff at the Gabba. There aren't many boxes the Freo skipper doesn't have checked - strength, speed, a thumping kick, fine reading of the play, sticky hands and a willingness to bring his teammates into the contest. So versatile is Pavlich that he won All-Australian honours at full-back in 2002 (taking the spot many would have earmarked for ex-Lion Mal Michael) and then spent 2003 playing largely in the midfield. If he has one strike against his name, it is perhaps that he hasn't taken big games by the scruff of the neck often enough.THE BOLTER A toss-up between floating defenders Michael Johnson and David Mundy, with the latter getting the nod after a standout second half against Adelaide last week. At 192cm and 90kg Mundy is the archetype for the modern utility defender - big enough to match up on mid-sized key forwards, agile enough to cover slippery small forwards if required and skilful enough to generate play from the backline. In many ways, he's not unlike a former Fremantle defender who has gone onto bigger and better things since shifting east, Collingwood's All-Australian James Clement. Mundy was a crucial player in Fremantle's thrilling win over the Crows, using his reading of the play to curb Adelaide attacks and propel the Dockers forward.STRENGTHSThe Dockers have developed an ability to play good, physical football in tight over the past two seasons - something highlighted in their slogging one-point win over Adelaide last week. Fremantle's tackling and pressure was outstanding after quarter-time. Matthew Pavlich is one of the competition's most talented and effective forwards and his combination with Chris Tarrant, which has already shown promise, could blossom into something special. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands is almost as skilful as he is tall - quite a feat considering he stands 211cm - and defenders like Johnson, Mundy and Roger Hayden are capable of generating considerable drive.WEAKNESSESSkills and direction! When Freo are up and running, they are comparable to a Ferrari. When a spanner gets in the works, they more resemble a clapped out Kingswood on its last legs. Too often the Dockers' skills desert them and fans are left with the unedifying spectacle of a bunch of players who'd struggle to hit a barn door from two metres away but persist with trying to play a possession game. For evidence, look no further than last year's preliminary final loss to Sydney, the derby defeat by West Coast three weekends ago and, to an extent, last week's dramatic win over Adelaide. With Robert Hadrill not yet ready to return to senior ranks, Fremantle also lacks a gorilla to match it physically with Brown - Luke McPharlin is exceptionally athletic but won't be able to out-wrestle the Lions' key forward. Footspeed through the midfield can be another issue for Freo. Heath Black and Des Headland are perhaps the only players capable of breaking the lines with speedsters Brett Peake and Byron Schammer both on the sidelines.THE QUEENSLAND FACTOR Sunshine Coast junior and one-time Suncoast Lion Chris Smith is the only Queenslander on the Dockers' list - having been taken by Fremantle in December's rookie draft. Headland was the Lions' No. 1 draft pick of 1998 (also No. 1 overall) and played 52 games in four years at the Gabba, including the 2002 premiership.The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
The low-down on Freo
All the information you need about the men in purple ahead of Sunday's big clash at the Gabba.
ALL THE information you need about the men in purple ahead of Sunday's big clash at the Gabba.THE CLUBFormed: 1994Joined AFL: 1995Premierships: nilLast finals appearance: 2006, preliminary final2006 AT A GLANCE
After round 13 of the 2006 season, Fremantle was 6-7 and looking down the barrel of a third successive season without finals football. By the time round 22 was over, the Dockers had won nine games in a row, sewn up third place on the ladder and become everyone's second-favourite team. No longer mere nuisance value, Chris Connolly's men then made some noise in September, rebounding from a qualifying final loss to Adelaide by beating Melbourne and progressing to a preliminary final against Sydney. The Dockers eventually went down to the Swans by 35 points but were in the hunt for much of the contest and established themselves as a side to watch in the future.2007 TO DATEFremantle began 2007 as a strong tip for a maiden flag but their campaign got off to a shaky start when star small forward Jeff Farmer and defender Michael Johnson were suspended for six and four matches respectively in the round 2 NAB Cup loss to the Kangaroos. The season proper didn't begin in terribly flash fashion either, with Fremantle squandering a six-goal lead early in the third quarter in a round one home loss to Port Adelaide, before being beaten by Essendon and West Coast. A solid round four win over Melbourne got the ball rolling before last week's one-point nail-biter over Adelaide, although the latter result was tempered by news of an in-house suspension that will keep Farmer out of AFL action until at least round 14.MISSING IN ACTIONThe biggest name here is unquestionably Farmer, who will sit out the next eight weeks after being charged with assault following an alleged incident involving a night-club bouncer. Simply brilliant throughout the Dockers' charge into last year's finals, Farmer has been simply missing in 2007, with a six-match ban for pre-season eye-gouging preventing him taking the field thus far. Promising midfielder Andrew Browne is out with a hamstring problem and the pacy Brett Peake is still three weeks away from resuming from a broken collarbone. The classy Byron Schammer won't be available until round 13 because of complications from summer surgery to remove his appendix.THE COACH Neale Daniher (and before him Dean Laidley) might the be punters' elect for first coach sacked in 2007, but Freo mentor Connolly is parked in a pretty hot seat as well. The former Melbourne player has taken Fremantle to the finals twice in his five years in charge, including last year's effort, when the Dockers came from a less-than-promising position to reach the preliminary final. Anything less than a repeat effort will be considered in a disappointment in the west, with high expectations fuelled by a strong list, the presence of Matthew Pavlich, a tangible home ground advantage and an increasing ability to deliver in pressure situations.THE GUNEven the best judges struggle to split Jonathan Brown, Matthew Pavlich and Barry Hall when trying to decide on the game's most influential key forward. Lions fans will undoubtedly plump for Brown but they'll get to judge for themselves this weekend when Pavlich struts his stuff at the Gabba. There aren't many boxes the Freo skipper doesn't have checked - strength, speed, a thumping kick, fine reading of the play, sticky hands and a willingness to bring his teammates into the contest. So versatile is Pavlich that he won All-Australian honours at full-back in 2002 (taking the spot many would have earmarked for ex-Lion Mal Michael) and then spent 2003 playing largely in the midfield. If he has one strike against his name, it is perhaps that he hasn't taken big games by the scruff of the neck often enough.THE BOLTER A toss-up between floating defenders Michael Johnson and David Mundy, with the latter getting the nod after a standout second half against Adelaide last week. At 192cm and 90kg Mundy is the archetype for the modern utility defender - big enough to match up on mid-sized key forwards, agile enough to cover slippery small forwards if required and skilful enough to generate play from the backline. In many ways, he's not unlike a former Fremantle defender who has gone onto bigger and better things since shifting east, Collingwood's All-Australian James Clement. Mundy was a crucial player in Fremantle's thrilling win over the Crows, using his reading of the play to curb Adelaide attacks and propel the Dockers forward.STRENGTHSThe Dockers have developed an ability to play good, physical football in tight over the past two seasons - something highlighted in their slogging one-point win over Adelaide last week. Fremantle's tackling and pressure was outstanding after quarter-time. Matthew Pavlich is one of the competition's most talented and effective forwards and his combination with Chris Tarrant, which has already shown promise, could blossom into something special. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands is almost as skilful as he is tall - quite a feat considering he stands 211cm - and defenders like Johnson, Mundy and Roger Hayden are capable of generating considerable drive.WEAKNESSESSkills and direction! When Freo are up and running, they are comparable to a Ferrari. When a spanner gets in the works, they more resemble a clapped out Kingswood on its last legs. Too often the Dockers' skills desert them and fans are left with the unedifying spectacle of a bunch of players who'd struggle to hit a barn door from two metres away but persist with trying to play a possession game. For evidence, look no further than last year's preliminary final loss to Sydney, the derby defeat by West Coast three weekends ago and, to an extent, last week's dramatic win over Adelaide. With Robert Hadrill not yet ready to return to senior ranks, Fremantle also lacks a gorilla to match it physically with Brown - Luke McPharlin is exceptionally athletic but won't be able to out-wrestle the Lions' key forward. Footspeed through the midfield can be another issue for Freo. Heath Black and Des Headland are perhaps the only players capable of breaking the lines with speedsters Brett Peake and Byron Schammer both on the sidelines.THE QUEENSLAND FACTOR Sunshine Coast junior and one-time Suncoast Lion Chris Smith is the only Queenslander on the Dockers' list - having been taken by Fremantle in December's rookie draft. Headland was the Lions' No. 1 draft pick of 1998 (also No. 1 overall) and played 52 games in four years at the Gabba, including the 2002 premiership.The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
After round 13 of the 2006 season, Fremantle was 6-7 and looking down the barrel of a third successive season without finals football. By the time round 22 was over, the Dockers had won nine games in a row, sewn up third place on the ladder and become everyone's second-favourite team. No longer mere nuisance value, Chris Connolly's men then made some noise in September, rebounding from a qualifying final loss to Adelaide by beating Melbourne and progressing to a preliminary final against Sydney. The Dockers eventually went down to the Swans by 35 points but were in the hunt for much of the contest and established themselves as a side to watch in the future.2007 TO DATEFremantle began 2007 as a strong tip for a maiden flag but their campaign got off to a shaky start when star small forward Jeff Farmer and defender Michael Johnson were suspended for six and four matches respectively in the round 2 NAB Cup loss to the Kangaroos. The season proper didn't begin in terribly flash fashion either, with Fremantle squandering a six-goal lead early in the third quarter in a round one home loss to Port Adelaide, before being beaten by Essendon and West Coast. A solid round four win over Melbourne got the ball rolling before last week's one-point nail-biter over Adelaide, although the latter result was tempered by news of an in-house suspension that will keep Farmer out of AFL action until at least round 14.MISSING IN ACTIONThe biggest name here is unquestionably Farmer, who will sit out the next eight weeks after being charged with assault following an alleged incident involving a night-club bouncer. Simply brilliant throughout the Dockers' charge into last year's finals, Farmer has been simply missing in 2007, with a six-match ban for pre-season eye-gouging preventing him taking the field thus far. Promising midfielder Andrew Browne is out with a hamstring problem and the pacy Brett Peake is still three weeks away from resuming from a broken collarbone. The classy Byron Schammer won't be available until round 13 because of complications from summer surgery to remove his appendix.THE COACH Neale Daniher (and before him Dean Laidley) might the be punters' elect for first coach sacked in 2007, but Freo mentor Connolly is parked in a pretty hot seat as well. The former Melbourne player has taken Fremantle to the finals twice in his five years in charge, including last year's effort, when the Dockers came from a less-than-promising position to reach the preliminary final. Anything less than a repeat effort will be considered in a disappointment in the west, with high expectations fuelled by a strong list, the presence of Matthew Pavlich, a tangible home ground advantage and an increasing ability to deliver in pressure situations.THE GUNEven the best judges struggle to split Jonathan Brown, Matthew Pavlich and Barry Hall when trying to decide on the game's most influential key forward. Lions fans will undoubtedly plump for Brown but they'll get to judge for themselves this weekend when Pavlich struts his stuff at the Gabba. There aren't many boxes the Freo skipper doesn't have checked - strength, speed, a thumping kick, fine reading of the play, sticky hands and a willingness to bring his teammates into the contest. So versatile is Pavlich that he won All-Australian honours at full-back in 2002 (taking the spot many would have earmarked for ex-Lion Mal Michael) and then spent 2003 playing largely in the midfield. If he has one strike against his name, it is perhaps that he hasn't taken big games by the scruff of the neck often enough.THE BOLTER A toss-up between floating defenders Michael Johnson and David Mundy, with the latter getting the nod after a standout second half against Adelaide last week. At 192cm and 90kg Mundy is the archetype for the modern utility defender - big enough to match up on mid-sized key forwards, agile enough to cover slippery small forwards if required and skilful enough to generate play from the backline. In many ways, he's not unlike a former Fremantle defender who has gone onto bigger and better things since shifting east, Collingwood's All-Australian James Clement. Mundy was a crucial player in Fremantle's thrilling win over the Crows, using his reading of the play to curb Adelaide attacks and propel the Dockers forward.STRENGTHSThe Dockers have developed an ability to play good, physical football in tight over the past two seasons - something highlighted in their slogging one-point win over Adelaide last week. Fremantle's tackling and pressure was outstanding after quarter-time. Matthew Pavlich is one of the competition's most talented and effective forwards and his combination with Chris Tarrant, which has already shown promise, could blossom into something special. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands is almost as skilful as he is tall - quite a feat considering he stands 211cm - and defenders like Johnson, Mundy and Roger Hayden are capable of generating considerable drive.WEAKNESSESSkills and direction! When Freo are up and running, they are comparable to a Ferrari. When a spanner gets in the works, they more resemble a clapped out Kingswood on its last legs. Too often the Dockers' skills desert them and fans are left with the unedifying spectacle of a bunch of players who'd struggle to hit a barn door from two metres away but persist with trying to play a possession game. For evidence, look no further than last year's preliminary final loss to Sydney, the derby defeat by West Coast three weekends ago and, to an extent, last week's dramatic win over Adelaide. With Robert Hadrill not yet ready to return to senior ranks, Fremantle also lacks a gorilla to match it physically with Brown - Luke McPharlin is exceptionally athletic but won't be able to out-wrestle the Lions' key forward. Footspeed through the midfield can be another issue for Freo. Heath Black and Des Headland are perhaps the only players capable of breaking the lines with speedsters Brett Peake and Byron Schammer both on the sidelines.THE QUEENSLAND FACTOR Sunshine Coast junior and one-time Suncoast Lion Chris Smith is the only Queenslander on the Dockers' list - having been taken by Fremantle in December's rookie draft. Headland was the Lions' No. 1 draft pick of 1998 (also No. 1 overall) and played 52 games in four years at the Gabba, including the 2002 premiership.The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
