Nick Dal Santo has gone through his New Year’s resolutions for Fremantle, with the main hope being continued improvement from their growing stars.
Firstly, Dal Santo hopes Adam Cerra is given a more prominent role in the side’s midfield.
The 2017 top five draft pick played 17 games in 2020, averaging 17 disposals per game, to go with two clearances and two inside 50s.
“I’d like to see Adam Cerra play a lot more midfield time. He is good enough and he’s done his time across half back and in various roles, he’s a good enough kick, he sees the game really well, he’s smart enough,” Dal Santo told SEN Breakfast.
“It’s time to move him into the midfield. We’ve spoken about Nat Fyfe and David Mundy, they’ve got a number of guys there that can help and support him, but the next step is Cerra needs to play a lot more midfield time.”
Matt Taberner had a breakout 2020, making the All-Australian squad as one of the more consistent key forwards across the season.
Dal Santo hopes the 27-year-old continues to elevate his game as Fremantle improves.
“He was superb last year, kicked 29 goals. He needs to go again,” he said.
“That forward line has changed, it’s a second year coach, I think he needs to go again and be that prominent forward which he was at times last year and go to another level.”
Overall, Dal Santo believes 2021 is a simple year for the Dockers – win more games than they did last year and continue to improve under new coach Justin Longmuir.
“They won seven games last year with a percentage of 93.7, so not dreadful and they improved,” he said.
“For them to keep improving with this young group, it is simple – win more games. It doesn’t mean they’re necessarily going to play finals, but they need to show signs of improvement in the win-loss ratio.”