- Mar 20, 2007
- 29,393
- 26,980
- AFL Club
- West Coast
http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=45206
Win-loss: 5-7 (LLLWWLWLWLWL)
The run home
Round 13 – Carlton (Subiaco Oval)
Round 14 – Sydney (SCG)
Round 15 – Kangaroos (Subiaco Oval)
Round 16 – Adelaide (AAMI Stadium)
Round 17 – Geelong (Subiaco Oval)
Round 18 – West Coast (Subiaco Oval)
Round 19 – Essendon (Subiaco Oval)
Round 20 – St Kilda (Telstra Dome)
Round 21 – Melbourne (Subiaco Oval)
Round 22 – Port Adelaide (AAMI Stadium)
Ladder position: 11th
Leading possession winner: Peter Bell (277 possessions)
Leading goalkicker: Matthew Pavlich (37 goals)
Season so far
The club’s played its first ever preliminary final last year and big things were expected in 2007 with the addition of experienced campaigners Dean Solomon and Chris Tarrant.
But the Dockers lost the opening game of the season at home to Port Adelaide, then went down to Essendon and arch rival West Coast to start the season at 0-3 and haven’t recovered since.
Having said that, they sit two games outside the four at the halfway mark, with a relatively favourable run home.
It travels to Adelaide twice and to Sydney, but six of the last 10 games are in Perth.
Fremantle should account for Carlton, Kangaroos, Essendon and Melbourne, but will need to put in big performances on the road and at home against Geelong to win enough to make the eight.
Jeff Farmer’s creativity up-forward has been missed through a club-imposed suspension, while too many players have found themselves on the sideline suspended. Overall, they’ve fallen well short of lofty expectations they set pre-season.
Best win
Three of Fremantle’s wins came over injury ravaged Melbourne and St Kilda and the winless Tigers, so its best have been over finals contenders Hawthorn and Adelaide, both at Subiaco.
The game against Adelaide in round five only saw 15 goals kicked for the day in an ugly, scrappy affair, but Fremantle’s win over Hawthorn was impressive in round seven.
The Hawks have proven themselves so far this season a genuine finals prospect, and after being down by 14 points at quarter-time, Fremantle responded to record a 16-point win on the back of a disastrous trip to Brisbane.
Best goal so far
Former Brisbane Lions premiership player Des Headland had a controversial first half of 2007, but when he’s on song, there are still few players as dangerous in the competition.
He kicked five goals against Richmond in round 11, and has provided plenty for the highlight reel with 15 goals for the season, but none was better than his effort in round six against his former side.
Headland was tucked up on the boundary, but with his non-preferred left foot managed to nail an inspirational goal.
David Mundy’s running long bomb from outside 50 in the round-three western derby also deserves an honourable mention.
Best and fairest leader
Perhaps predictably, captain Matthew Pavlich and former captain Peter Bell have led the way again for Fremantle so far this season.
After a slowish start, Bell has moved back to his customary midfield role, and as well as being the club’s top possession winner with 277, has also kicked 12 goals. He has led from the front in all areas, but needs more consistent help.
The heat has been on Pavlich of late, and his kicking has been a little shaky, but he has still kicked 37 goals in 12 games and is a potential match-winner every time he takes the field.
The pressure will be on in the second half of the season as Port Adelaide and Adelaide push for him to come home with his contract up.
Surprise packet
Roger Hayden’s AFL career looked finished when he broke his leg in 2004 and struggled for form in fitness in the WAFL with South Fremantle in 2005, despite playing in the Bulldogs’ premiership.
He fought back to play 16 games last year, and has taken his game to another level this season in defence.
Not only has he been able to stop numerous clever forwards, but his creativity and run from half-back is as good as anyone in the AFL.
Coaches’ award (one-percenter player)
He sneaks under everyone’s radar in defence, but Antoni Grover has emerged as the club’s top key defender and has had a great season.
He’s now well ahead of veteran Shane Parker and the injury-plagued Robert Haddrill, and is often given the job on the opposition’s biggest threat ahead of other defenders Steven Dodd, Michael Johnson and Scott Thornton.
Grover usually gives up size, but is strong, battles hard and is having the best of his nine seasons with Fremantle.
Second-half story lines
Will Jeff Farmer return to the side after his club-imposed suspension is up in round 13? His last WAFL game for South Fremantle saw him collect 25 possessions, kick four goals and set up another 10 in a best on ground display.
Will games record holder Shane Parker force his way back into the side in what looks to be his final season?
After making the preliminary final in 2006, can Fremantle produce an equally impressive second half of 2007 to make the finals?
Will coach Chris Connolly see out the season?
Win-loss: 5-7 (LLLWWLWLWLWL)
The run home
Round 13 – Carlton (Subiaco Oval)
Round 14 – Sydney (SCG)
Round 15 – Kangaroos (Subiaco Oval)
Round 16 – Adelaide (AAMI Stadium)
Round 17 – Geelong (Subiaco Oval)
Round 18 – West Coast (Subiaco Oval)
Round 19 – Essendon (Subiaco Oval)
Round 20 – St Kilda (Telstra Dome)
Round 21 – Melbourne (Subiaco Oval)
Round 22 – Port Adelaide (AAMI Stadium)
Ladder position: 11th
Leading possession winner: Peter Bell (277 possessions)
Leading goalkicker: Matthew Pavlich (37 goals)
Season so far
The club’s played its first ever preliminary final last year and big things were expected in 2007 with the addition of experienced campaigners Dean Solomon and Chris Tarrant.
But the Dockers lost the opening game of the season at home to Port Adelaide, then went down to Essendon and arch rival West Coast to start the season at 0-3 and haven’t recovered since.
Having said that, they sit two games outside the four at the halfway mark, with a relatively favourable run home.
It travels to Adelaide twice and to Sydney, but six of the last 10 games are in Perth.
Fremantle should account for Carlton, Kangaroos, Essendon and Melbourne, but will need to put in big performances on the road and at home against Geelong to win enough to make the eight.
Jeff Farmer’s creativity up-forward has been missed through a club-imposed suspension, while too many players have found themselves on the sideline suspended. Overall, they’ve fallen well short of lofty expectations they set pre-season.
Best win
Three of Fremantle’s wins came over injury ravaged Melbourne and St Kilda and the winless Tigers, so its best have been over finals contenders Hawthorn and Adelaide, both at Subiaco.
The game against Adelaide in round five only saw 15 goals kicked for the day in an ugly, scrappy affair, but Fremantle’s win over Hawthorn was impressive in round seven.
The Hawks have proven themselves so far this season a genuine finals prospect, and after being down by 14 points at quarter-time, Fremantle responded to record a 16-point win on the back of a disastrous trip to Brisbane.
Best goal so far
Former Brisbane Lions premiership player Des Headland had a controversial first half of 2007, but when he’s on song, there are still few players as dangerous in the competition.
He kicked five goals against Richmond in round 11, and has provided plenty for the highlight reel with 15 goals for the season, but none was better than his effort in round six against his former side.
Headland was tucked up on the boundary, but with his non-preferred left foot managed to nail an inspirational goal.
David Mundy’s running long bomb from outside 50 in the round-three western derby also deserves an honourable mention.
Best and fairest leader
Perhaps predictably, captain Matthew Pavlich and former captain Peter Bell have led the way again for Fremantle so far this season.
After a slowish start, Bell has moved back to his customary midfield role, and as well as being the club’s top possession winner with 277, has also kicked 12 goals. He has led from the front in all areas, but needs more consistent help.
The heat has been on Pavlich of late, and his kicking has been a little shaky, but he has still kicked 37 goals in 12 games and is a potential match-winner every time he takes the field.
The pressure will be on in the second half of the season as Port Adelaide and Adelaide push for him to come home with his contract up.
Surprise packet
Roger Hayden’s AFL career looked finished when he broke his leg in 2004 and struggled for form in fitness in the WAFL with South Fremantle in 2005, despite playing in the Bulldogs’ premiership.
He fought back to play 16 games last year, and has taken his game to another level this season in defence.
Not only has he been able to stop numerous clever forwards, but his creativity and run from half-back is as good as anyone in the AFL.
Coaches’ award (one-percenter player)
He sneaks under everyone’s radar in defence, but Antoni Grover has emerged as the club’s top key defender and has had a great season.
He’s now well ahead of veteran Shane Parker and the injury-plagued Robert Haddrill, and is often given the job on the opposition’s biggest threat ahead of other defenders Steven Dodd, Michael Johnson and Scott Thornton.
Grover usually gives up size, but is strong, battles hard and is having the best of his nine seasons with Fremantle.
Second-half story lines
Will Jeff Farmer return to the side after his club-imposed suspension is up in round 13? His last WAFL game for South Fremantle saw him collect 25 possessions, kick four goals and set up another 10 in a best on ground display.
Will games record holder Shane Parker force his way back into the side in what looks to be his final season?
After making the preliminary final in 2006, can Fremantle produce an equally impressive second half of 2007 to make the finals?
Will coach Chris Connolly see out the season?
