What was once a light-hearted term, “Supporting Freo seems to me to represent simple and honourable values,” has now transformed into a serious reality. Among the AFL teams, the Dockers boast a remarkable and balanced roster that stands out. They have embraced every challenge thrown their way, demonstrating the ability to secure victories through various strategies and currently riding one of the most impressive streaks seen in recent years. The Dockers carry an air of historical significance.
Traveling to the Gabba is no easy task, and many thought the Dockers would struggle this past weekend. Bookmakers, in their infinite wisdom, favored Brisbane for the matchup. Fremantle faced a long journey across the country, were without several key players, and were up against a determined opponent looking to bounce back.
As expected, the Lions put forth significant effort. They attempted to control the game, resorted to chaos, employed short kicking tactics, and even tried launching long kicks, which ultimately failed. Nevertheless, Fremantle countered every strategy effectively, showcasing their superiority on the field. The final score likely underrepresented their dominance throughout the match.
Brisbane has been steadily improving for nearly ten years, making their recent struggles all the more noticeable. Many of their star players are underperforming, and they are missing essential role players and defenders. The upcoming month for Brisbane includes a Queensland derby, a clash with Sydney, and a trip to Kardinia Park. Historically, they’ve excelled under pressure, but recent losses to Geelong, GWS, and now Fremantle have made the situation dire.
The Dockers have established themselves as a disciplined and industrious team that effectively utilizes handballing to create opportunities, transitioning from defense to fast-paced attacks. Few teams extract more from their lesser-known players, a stark contrast to previous seasons where this praise was rare. They perform the fundamentals exceptionally well while still possessing the ability to score quickly.
In their prime, Fremantle’s three tall forwards become nearly uncontainable. Josh Treacy, Patrick Voss, and Jye Amiss each bring unique attributes to the game. Treacy exhibits remarkable catching skills, Voss often captivates crowds with his antics, and Amiss carries a slightly perplexed demeanor at times. Together, they form a cohesive unit, having collectively scored 78.54 this season. All three forwards are threats on the ground and apply significant pressure, working seamlessly with the agile smaller forwards.
However, being at the top of the league at this stage of the season can be precarious. Teams like Collingwood in 2025 and Sydney in 2024 played stellar football but eventually slipped down the ranks during the winter months. In the last 25 years, only five premiership teams were leading the table after round 12. Fremantle experienced a similar situation in 2015. Yet the current iteration of the Dockers possesses many favorable conditions. Their schedule lightens considerably; they won’t leave Western Australia until early July, and most of their remaining away games are against teams struggling in the lower tier of the ladder.
In closing, it’s worth noting how Fremantle has built its roster. The team has no father-son selections, academy picks, or free agents. They have excelled with their high, mid-range, and experimental draft choices, discovering some hidden talents, particularly Treacy and Karl Worner. Additionally, they have been adept at identifying and developing players discarded by other clubs.
“Humour, for a start. Loyalty. Persistence and struggle. Patience and tolerance. An antidote to the incurable virus of instant gratification.” journalist Matt Price observed years ago. “Humour, for a start. Loyalty. Persistence and struggle. Patience and tolerance. An antidote to the incurable virus of instant gratification.”
Price passed away four years later due to a brain tumor at the age of 46. The Dockers he cherished were indeed a flawed team. He never witnessed the Ross Lyon era, and it’s uncertain if he would have embraced them as he did before. However, he would undoubtedly have adored this current squad. He would have enjoyed Wharfie Time, the structural marvel of Alex Pearce’s hair, the versatility of Isaiah Dudley, and the comic essence of Voss. The 2026 Dockers brilliantly merge the grit of Lyon’s teams with the adventurous spirit of Clive Waterhouse and Tony Modra—truly a team to admire, respect, and believe in.
