Finally Freo?

As the Dockers set sail for September action, Justine McCullagh-Beasy ponders over their premiership chances.

Fremantle resounding 58-point thumping of fellow top four aspirant St Kilda on Saturday night sent warning signals throughout the competition.

The Dockers are no longer the whipping boys, but a genuine chance to cause havoc come September – at last.

After two painstaking seasons in which the club found its self stranded one game adrift of the eight, the Dockers have begun to deliver on their undoubted talent. A disgraceful mid-season slump saw Chris Connolly’s troops trudge off Subiaco with a humiliating defeat at the hands of Geelong in tow and Fremantle looked set to disappoint once again.

Two weeks and a few home truths later and Western Australia’s poorer brother regained its winning form – albeit over the languishing Bombers. The victory triggered a desire and toughness witnessed before but not sustained, yet six emphatic wins later and the Dockers are still playing with the same tenacity and vigour that saw them breakthrough against Essendon and commence their club record seven game winning streak.

Despite being hurled with abuse Connolly stood firm and slight changes to team structure have seen his status rise and future brighten. Those calling for his head have put aside the wielding axe as Byron Schammer kicks goals, Luke McPharlin patrols the defensive half and the accurate Ryan Murphy provides another tall option forward.

Schammer’s talent is undisputed, but the passionate youngster was being left to flounder in defence, which ultimately tarnished his confidence. Since Freo’s resurgence the pint sized dynamo has drifted forward adding crumbing goals to his reportage to full effect. In addition, the transferal back to the defensive half for McPharlin has enabled the high flyer to reel in timely grabs as well as providing a mature head in a young, yet competent defence.

Murphy has been an unlikely hero for the purple army with his strong, central leads and amazing accuracy ensuring the best possible chance of scoring. The Victorian was sidelined with a ‘hot spot’ in his foot during the win over the Saints, but is expected to return in the final home and away round.

Fremantle’s buoyancy has not eventuated with the aid of luck, but courtesy of a newly formed game plan and belief in the ability of one another. They’re playing as a team and are prepared to run for each other – something the first half of the year was deprived off. The immense pressure they’re applying on the opposition has been a major factor in their ability to secure successes over fellow top eight occupants. Four of the Dockers past seven wins have been against those vying for September action – all but assuring that Fremantle are capable of playing a significant role in their second ever final series.

With Peter Bell discovering his possessions in the midfield, rather than the picking up fruitless disposals in the back half, Matthew Carr returning to his preferred role as a tagger and youngsters Murphy, Michael Johnson, David Mundy, Steven Dodd and the beanpole Aaron Sandilands excelling Fremantle have continued their rise as a possible grand finalist without succumbing to expectations as they once did.

The Dockers of old would falter under the pressure of playing tough, creative and consistent football, but after the pitiful performance against Geelong they’ve responded in a fashion no one expected and continue to flourish on the big stage. This weekend’s colossal clash with bitter rival West Coast will determine whether Freo finish in the top four and will go along way in proving whether they are in fact a premiership contender.

For long starved Docker supporters like myself let’s hope they continue their rich vein of form as a nation looks on in anticipation.

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