Are you booking your flights or holding back? Is it time for Wharfie Time, or is it more about anxiety? Was last week’s match one of the standout victories of the season, or merely another win in the ongoing winter struggle? Fans of the Fremantle Dockers find themselves in a quandary about how to feel in this moment. Should they embrace the optimism of local media, or align with coach Justin Longmuir’s more measured approach? Are they still haunted by the past three decades, waiting for a moment reminiscent of Geelong’s 2007 triumph when they might believe only when they’re leading by 15 goals in a grand final?
Recent analyses of AFL history are influenced by the entry of new teams and additional rounds. However, a look back over the last 25 years reveals how clubs in similar situations to Fremantle have typically fared. Since 2000, only seven teams found themselves in as advantageous a position as the Dockers at this stage of the season. Out of those, three secured the premiership, while another three were runners-up. Notable near misses include the unbeaten Saints of 2009 and the 2005 Eagles, who were three games ahead of their closest rivals.
The one team that did not reach the grand final was the 2015 Dockers, who had only suffered two losses after round 18. Unfortunately, they failed to recognize that this was their last opportunity to claim a championship. The defining moment unfolded in the last quarter of the preliminary final, when they were riding high against a formidable Hawthorn team. Midway through the final term, Tendai Mzungu attempted to change the play with a 20-meter kick. His intended receiver was Tommy Sheridan, who was under pressure from Cyril Rioli, a player you certainly wouldn’t want near you in such a crucial moment. Sheridan fumbled the simplest of marks, allowing Rioli to capitalize, turning swiftly to score a 50-meter goal while delivering a reminder of the stakes to the distraught Sheridan.
Dockers coach Ross Lyon was visibly distraught, his head in his hands. The game, the season, and an entire era had come to an end. The Hawks went on to secure their third consecutive premiership. In subsequent years, Lyon wore down his players and ultimately lost favor in Perth. His departure was as ruthless as his hiring; he simply shrugged, held a farewell press conference in a local park, and enrolled in a behavioral economics course at Harvard.
Matthew Pavlich, the captain during that fateful 2015 preliminary final, is now with the Sydney Swans after a media career that even included commentary at the Paris Olympics. Watching last week’s top-of-the-table clash from what appeared to be a plush recliner, he likely reflected on how many more goals he could have scored with the current Dockers midfield supporting him. He would have appreciated the Swans’ performance, as they effectively utilized space while Chad Warner showcased his skills during stoppages. However, the Dockers struggled with accuracy, leading to frustrations for the typically composed Longmuir, who was notably upset over his team’s missed opportunities.
Yet, it took the Dockers just 30 seconds against the Swans to remind everyone of their capabilities and why they are considered premiership favorites. Fans eagerly anticipated the moment dubbed Wharfie Time. The identity of the individual poised to activate that moment remains unknown; it could be the Fremantle CEO, the marketing manager, or even Clive Waterhouse. Regardless of who it is, their timing is impeccable, exhibiting that rare quality of restraint often missing in promotional efforts.
The Dockers’ explosive offense rendered any calls for intervention unnecessary, showcasing yet again how this squad differs from those under Lyon’s tenure. While they are not without shortcomings, such as starting slowly and vulnerabilities on defense, they have proven they can ramp up their scoring significantly in short bursts. At some point—perhaps during a home final or even a grand final—they will need to regroup, withstand pressure, and launch an offensive, drawing on their growing experiences from several performances this season.
With the weight of the quest for a first premiership and a local press that tends to amplify expectations, having a head coach as grounded as Longmuir is a benefit. He isn’t flashy, cryptic, or eager for confrontation like some of his peers. He maintains a straightforward approach, reminiscent of the steady hand of Chris Tavaré. When asked about a match where his team failed to score in the first half but then erupted for 100 points in the second, he said, “It’s about process, right?” While “It’s about maintaining faith in the process.” isn’t the first term that comes to mind regarding Fremantle’s season, Longmuir’s response provides a calm counterbalance to the chaos that often accompanies a night at Optus Stadium, along with the excitement surrounding this extraordinary team.
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