Please welcome Kick2Kick’s newest writer in Mark E.
The other season reports are in ladder position they finished: Melbourne Demons and Richmond Tigers. If you would like to do up a report on any other team, please contact us.
Chris Tarrant turned his year & career around with a move to defence.
Year It Was
- Finished: 14th with 6 wins, 16 losses and 77.34%
- Kick2Kick Season Prediction: 8th – 11th
What Went Right
For the first season in a few years the Dockers where not expected to feature in the finals. So in that sense, they performed to expectations. It was a year when Mark Harvey fielded 11 first year players. Greg Broughton was the key suprise. He ended up playing all 22 games, and was everyone’s friend in SuperCoach.
Stephen Hill had an impressive first year, and showed glimpses of a long career that may justify his selection before Daniel Rich.
Chris Tarrant was transformed from a erratic forward into one of the best defenders in the AFL. Aaron Sandilands cemented his position as the games premier ruckman, and has become one of the most influential players on the ground. The emergence of Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballyntine and Nic Suban places the club in contention within the next few years.
What Went Wrong
Injuries derailed what was only ever going to be a rebuilding season for the Dockers. Palmer, Crowley, Hayden, Headland, McPharlin, Johnson and Mayne would all feature in the Dockers best 22, but all missed considerable game time this season.
Away wins eluded the Dockers, who were unable to replicate some exciting home ground wins against the Eagles, Port Adelaide, Sydney and Essendon away from home.
Player(s) that Stepped Up
Tarrant has been described as the ‘feel good’ story of the AFL by Gary Lyon. He has found his place in the back half, and Mark Harvey is to be commended for seeing what others have not. The much maligned Keppler Bradley has also shown a willingness to compete and desire to remain at the top level, despite a lack of natural talent other players are blessed with.
Trade Bait/ Goodbye’s
It may be sad for loyal supporters, but the potential of Brett Peake may be realised at another club next year. Marcus Drum has been given a few games at the end of the year, and performed well. The cynic might suggest this is to improve his currency for trade week.
Paul Hasleby should stay at the club, but until he signs the one year deal put to him by the club, rumours about his trade or retirement will continue. Campbell, Foster, Hinkley, Obrien, Thornton, Gilmore, Browne and Ryan Murphy will likely be delisted.
Improvement Needed by
Mundy has shown great form this year, at times being Fremantles best player. At other times his body language suggests he would rather be somewhere else. If Peake does stay, he needs to replicate the form of 2006 which saw him being touted as a career player at Fremantle.
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September 4th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Thanks for your article Mark E, look forward to more…
Adam Campbell, Daniel Gilmore, Andrew Browne and Josh Head were delisted, so I expect they are softer on these decisions that what you were.
If I was Fremantle I would allow Drum to go, at least you could do would get a late 2nd or 3rd round pick for him. Doubt you would be able to get a 1st round like you originally got him for. Hawks would be the most likely choice.
What do you guys think you should try and trade him for?
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September 7th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Interested in what you think about trading Tarrant Mark E! Do you think trading him now could be a better long term option? You could get a late first round for Tarrant (ie to Carlton or the Hawks) and also with Peake & Mundy traded, Fremantle could have an extra 2 or 3 picks inside the top 30.
Tarrant looks likely of going back to Melbourne next year and you could run the risk of his value dropping or loosing him to the Pre Season Draft for nothing.
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September 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
mmmm dont know what to think about that one. I just find it hard to believe anything the WA media says, so unless I hear it from Tarrants mouth, who knows? Best case scenario is that he stays, and then resigns for 2011. That may happen, people change their minds.
But, at the very least, after Harvey has reinvented Tarrants career, we should get something good for him, and so that is a good thing.
Mark E´s last blog ..What does a Wombat a Koala and a Chris Judd have in common?
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September 8th, 2009 at 10:15 am
All media drums up talk. So you think hang onto him and run the risk of loosing him at the end of next year or not getting the most out of him this year in the trade?
Personally I would not want anyone to be out of contract next year, the Gold Coast is in and you would hate to loose someone for nothing.
The talk on Sandilands also seems to have died.
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September 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Drum and peake to Brisbane for Dalziel and a Pick??
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September 11th, 2009 at 10:37 am
A 4th or 5th round pick maybe but nothing more. I however doubt Drum or Peake would get in Brisbane’s starting 22 to be honest.
Jermayn´s last blog ..2009 AFL Semi-Finals Tips
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