In 2024, the Fremantle Dockers blew their lines down the stretch, and missed the finals.
It is the lament of a young team, losing composure when it’s needed most. It was also due largely to another loss, as their burgeoning star forward, Josh Treacy, went down with injury in their Round 21 loss to the Bombers.
It was the straw that broke the Dockers’ back, as they failed to win another game for the season, and bombed out of contention.
After witnessing what they were capable of, however, there were many who believed that Fremantle had the tools to go all the way in 2025, even taking their collective youth into consideration.
Now, as we head into Round 18, Freo faces their toughest two weeks of the season. This fortnight will make or break them, as they welcome the Hawks to Optus Stadium on Saturday night, and head to the MCG to face the Magpies the following week.
There are moments in a season, or even an era, when a team stands up and leaves no donut they’re going to be there when the whips are cracking. The next two weeks comprise two of those moments for the Dockers. After losing to the Swans, they find themselves in the worst spot in the game – ninth position.
They have to make their 2025 stand right now.
Part of the issue for the Dockers is that they’re still learning on the job. As mentioned above, their list is one of the youngest in the game, but the expectations are high. I have long held a theory that when you catch lightning in a bottle, you have to make the most of it. I felt that way about Hawthorn last season – they needed to embrace that momentum to propel them forward and pinch a flag, just like they did in 2008. They fell over in the Semi-Final against Port… the lightning escaped, and whilst they’re still a good side, that aura is not glowing as brightly this season, is it?
They’re not the same team. The lightning has escaped.
Fremantle have an aura of their own. Not as bright as the Hawks last season, but it is definitely there. With players like Luke Jackson doing what a ruck should not be able to do, Caleb Serong, Josh Treacy, and one of the best back sixes in the competition, there is no reason they should not be right in the mix this season.
But the top of their bottle is loose, and the next two weeks could see it pried off.
Against the Hawks this week, Freo have their opportunity to stake their claim on a top eight position.
The other contenders on 40 premiership points have their own issues to face.
Gold Coast sit in seventh, and they have a date with Collingwood in Round 18.
GWS are clinging to eighth, and they get a visit from the Cats.
A loss to either of them, and a win to Freo will see the Dockers propelled into the top eight, and suddenly, the pressure is slightly relieved, and moves to one of the other teams, even with Collingwood on the Dockers’ own horizon.
However, if the Dockers manage to lose both games, making it three on the trot, I am not sure they can come back from it. They’ve already opened the door, if only slightly, for the Swans to make a charge. And for the second-straight season, they’re on the brink of going out with all guns blazing, but most of the shots hitting them in the foot.
Part of the issue at the moment sits with their forward structure. The Dockers lean heavily on Josh Treacy, and Luke Jackson looks like the next-most-likely to have an impact.
That means that between Pat Voss and Jye Amiss, they need something special each week.
But only Voss has provided that in 2025, with Amiss still the favoured son on the basis of his potential.
This was evident in the loss to Fremantle, with Voss sent to the bench as the substitution was made, whilst Amiss went on to miss his (admittedly difficult) chances in the last quarter.
In truth, and I don’t think anyone who is not wearing purple goggles will dispute, the Dockers have been carrying Amiss this season. He’s managed three goals in his last six games and has offered very little in terms of additional value to the team. This is unsustainable.
As soon as this week, the Dockers need to make a tough decision.
Do they upset their young forward by sending him back to the WAFL to find form? Or do they persist with him and run the risk of playing what could be construed as a man down inside 50?
Many have criticised the work of Justin Longmuir over the last couple of years. I have not really been one of them, as I understand he is coaching a team of kids in many ways. However, should he decide to persist with Amiss, and the young man fails to deliver, what then?
Do we nod and state that it is all part of growing in the AFL, for both the player and the team? Or do we look at what Freo could have done this season, and what they failed to do for the second season on the trot?
Youth aside, this is a finals-worthy list. And in finals, you simply cannot carry passengers.
These upcoming two weeks will be played with a finals-like atmosphere. These are do-or-die games for the Dockers as they push for September action.
If Longmuir backs Amiss and he fails, the failure is not on the player, but the coach and his selection committee.
If he decides to play him again, and Amiss steps up, the credit goes to the player.
However, if he drops his young forward and the Dockers fall over, once again, blame shifts to Longmuir.
It’s why coaches are paid well, right?
The next two weeks define the Fremantle Dockers, their young forward, and their coach.
Can they keep that lightning in a bottle for a little longer?
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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