Overall mark: A
Win-loss: 9-4 (WWWLWWWLWWLLW)
Ladder position: 3rd
Leading possession winner: Michael Barlow (337)
Leading goalkicker: Matthew Pavlich (40)
Season so far
Fremantle has been the big mover of 2010, climbing from 14th place last season into the top four, where it is every chance to stay. After meeting Adelaide and Geelong at opportune times, Freo made its own luck on the road and notched drought-breaking wins at Etihad Stadium, the Gabba and the SCG. They were involved in a top-of-the-table clash against Collingwood on Friday night. Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy and Chris Tarrant are playing career-best footy, while a host of disciplined youngsters are making valuable contributions.
Medical room
In round eight, important defenders Luke McPharlin (knee) and Greg Broughton (foot) went down with injuries that will sideline them until after the mid-season break, while Antoni Grover, Garrick Ibbotson, Nick Suban and Chris Mayne have also missed multiple games. Des Headland has been sidelined for most of the season with a knee injury.
Best performance
In a season that has seen Freo notch its maiden win at the Gabba and its first triumph at the SCG in 14 years, the thrilling round-three defeat of Geelong at Subiaco Oval still stands out. Geelong skipped out to a 21-point lead in the last quarter, but Fremantle, led superbly by Pavlich, clawed its way back and recorded a famous seven-point win.
B&F leader
Aaron Sandilands ended Pavlich’s four-year run of best-and-fairest wins last year and the star pair is again locked in battle for this year’s Doig Medal. Pavlich has spent more time forward and led the Coleman Medal race for five weeks, while Sandilands continues to be the game’s dominant ruckman. Mundy and Michael Barlow are also sure to be polling well.
Surprise packet
Michael Barlow’s incredible debut season has seen him jump from Fremantle’s rookie list onto the second line of Brownlow Medal betting, sparking a nation-wide hunt for mature-age talent. The hard-running 22-year-old has averaged 28 possessions and a goal a game and formed an instant rapport with his ruckman to become a crucial stoppage player for Fremantle.
Coach's award
It’s hard earning recognition as a defensive forward and tough youngster Matt de Boer has made it his sole objective this season to negate the opposition’s best rebounding defender. While only earning a handful of possessions himself, de Boer has shut down important opposition playmakers like Heath Shaw, Brett Deledio and Shannon Hurn.
Needs to step up
Headland showed in the first three games of the season that he could make a dynamic contribution across half-forward, but he has been sidelined since round four with a knee injury. Headland's big game experience could prove valuable in the run-home. Michael Johnson needs to earn back his teammates’ respect after copping a six-week club suspension following drugs charges.
Second-half story lines
Considering where they’ve come from, it seems Freo will spend the rest of the season proving they are a genuine top-four side. But if they can hold that spot, who knows what their noted match-winners are capable of achieving in September.
Can the youngsters keep going? Harvey has played five more debutants this season and they have been important.
There is little doubt the captain and coach will remain at Fremantle to finish what they’ve started, but will they sign on before the side embarks on its first final campaign since 2006?
The run home
Round 14 Port Adelaide at Subiaco (H)
Round 15 Richmond at Etihad Stadium (A)
Round 16 Melbourne at Subiaco (H)
Round 17 Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium (A)
Round 18 West Coast at Subiaco (H)
Round 19 North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium (A)
Round 20 Sydney Swans at Subiaco (H)
Round 21 Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium (A)
Round 22 Carlton at Subiaco (H)
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
