In the next few weeks until the start of the 2010 season on 25th March 2010 we will review in depth every 16 clubs. Starting off with Fremantle and looking at if they can improve on last year.
After Kick2Kick reviews each club, we will give their full season 2010 predictions like we did last year. If you would like to review a team or something else, please contact us.
What Happened Last Year
Fremantle did as expected last year finishing 14th with 6 wins, showing slight improvement despite bringing a large number of talented youngsters in. They won games they should have lost and lost games they should have won which has become a bit part of Fremantle’s culture.
Nick Suban was a highlight last year for Fremantle and he will only get better and will be one to watch this season.
There were some shining lights with Greg Broughton, Stephen Hill and Nick Suban showing the reasons why they were picked, with Matt Deboer also raising his head.
The New Season
Fremantle need to improve further, they need at least 9 wins or I feel Mark Harvey may get cut. There is the possibility of finals but it will require a full fit list for the whole year as the list is shallow in terms of experience.
Likely Finish: 10th
Players to Watch
Nick Suban – In my opinion this kid is going to be a leader, shows poise under pressure, aggression for the ball and respect for his team mates. He didnt dominate last year but was better than Hill IMO and this year he will break out.
Hayden Ballantyne – Love this guy, the Jack Russel, Angry quick and cheeky, the perfect replacement for Jeff Farmer he wont win the Coleman but he will be reported about 6 times. The guy you would hate if he played for anyone else.
Mathew Pavlich – The god of freo, back up forward and looking strong so far in NAB form. He may win the Coleman as he is a huge focal point for when he is down there. 50 plus goals easy and 100 plus dream team average for him this year but i think this may be his last dominant year.
Bench Warmers
Ryan Murphy – We had a massive clean out but somehow he remains. Useless that’s all I will say.
Clayton Hinkley – “As Above” but add slow poor disposal scared under pressure.
The rest were declogged at the end of last year.
Need to Improve
David Mundy – Great poise but fitness was his issue, NAB form has been good but needs to really pick up to avoid being trade bait.
Stephen Hill – Nab form has been terrible, he showed promise last year but he also played all 22 which is a lot more then most first year players, this is his second year so really needs to show why he was a Number 3 pick.
Luke Mcpharlin – Poor form last year, much to do with being thrown forward and back but really needs to revert to his 2006-2008 form which will help with freo’s push for the finals.
Your Thoughts
With a rejuvenate list, who will win Fremantle’s Beacon Award for best new talent?
What do you think of the Dockers for season 2010? Did they recruit well? Are they on the way to be a top four side like coach Harvey suggested? Or will it be another wasted year with hope, promise, then delusion and then anger which Freo supporters are sadly used to?
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March 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 am
The Fremantle Dockers had what could only be described as a predictable year in 2009. Mark Harvey signalled his intent to blood new players and that is exactly what he did. 11 young players pulled on the purple for the first time. Out of that bunch, perhaps the greatest suprise was Greg Broughton. As a mature-age recruit, Broughton impressed many a super coach devotee, regularly pulling in good numbers, from a very low base. Stephen Hill was always expected to do well, earning a Rising Star nomination in Fremantles now regular victory over West Coast.
Along with the injury free McPharlin and tough as old boots Grover, Fremantle can look forward to a more settled defence in 2010, with Roger Hayden rumoured to be slotting into a forward pocket role. With another mature age recruit, Sandover Medallist Hayden Ballyntyne, and Chris Mayne, there may be some creative avenues to goal, particular if All Australian Matthew Pavlich can be allowed to remain in the forward 50.
The ruck is where it gets interesting. While All Australian Ruckmen Aaron Sandilands is perhaps Fremantles most valuable and effective player, the Dockers have struggled with clearances. Perhaps the drafting of reborn Docker Adam McPhee may add some much needed grunt to a midfield boasting two Rising Star winners in Hasleby and Palmer.
Mark Harvey has had two years now to form the team into a young and potentially succesful side. However even the most ardent fan might think that Fremantle will need another year at least to move into Premiership Mode.
Does Fremantle have a chance to sneak into the finals this year?
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March 2nd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Pavlich in the forward line is the key to
1) be serious for a finals campaign
2) prolong his career
To be honest Mark, I doubt Grover has any plans for your future. NOS (Nephew of Silvangi) is a much better option imo.
[Reply to Comment]
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:25 am
as much as I dislike Freo, I think they will provide the most shock wins this year, especially at home and might sneak the extra 1 or 2 to make the 8.
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March 3rd, 2010 at 9:17 am
I think the biggest reason that may happen is because finally the media have given up on the hype on Fremantle…
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March 3rd, 2010 at 9:25 am
Sorry the NAB form on Hill was for his game against Melbourne, he did better against the roos but still needs to improve his finishing
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March 7th, 2010 at 8:34 am
As long as Pavlich is at Fremantle and in the forward line Freo will never win a premiership and may not even make or be an impact on the finals. Look at all the good teams in the AFL…Bulldogs, Geelong, St Kilda, Hawthorn (even though they had a bad 09)…but they have many avenues to goal. They all have a key forward (or two) who attract the ball, but they all have other players who also attract the ball and kick goals. Fremantle has one player in the forward line who attracts the ball. Freo are better off developing other forwards than focusing on Pavlich because realistically he is not that good in front of goal.
The good teams have a solid defense, good or brilliant midfield, and a effective forward line. Freo have a fairly solid defense, a very average midfield, and frankly a useless forward line in previous years. if they can get better at clearances and develop their forward line then maybe, just maybe they might be a chance for the finals…
[Reply to Comment]
March 8th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Agree Pavlich is a liability to Fremantle but they had their chance of getting rid of him and getting some good kids for him but thats the history, lets now focus on their future, or this year.
If you look at the forward line of:
Headland Pavlich Mayne
Ballantyne Bradley (someone else)
That is not a bad lineup, Pavlich can kick 50+ and I do not know if you have seen much of Mayne or Ballantyne but they are 30+ goal kickers and if those three can live up to that potential that forward line is something to build on. Then maybe move Pavlich down to Full Forward and it will extend his career.
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