Fremantle lost quite a few players in the trade period, but enters the 2023 season with a strong best 22 on paper.
The Dockers are brimming with young talent and it is fair to say a few breakouts on the fringes of their side could take them to the next level.
Freo broke a finals drought last year and are expected to return to September action in 2023.
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Defenders
Fremantle has one of the more stable defensive groups in the AFL when everyone is healthy.
Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox make up the key defensive slots, with Brandon Walker, Hayden Young and Jordan Clark providing some dash.
They have depth and versatility, with the likes of Nathan O’Driscoll, Heath Chapman and James Aish also in the best 22 and capable of playing across half-back or through the midfield.
Midfielders
Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong combine for one of the best young on-ball tandems in the AFL and will once again carry Fremantle’s midfield in 2023.
Will Brodie was one of the breakout stars of 2022 and provides grunt on the inside, while recruit Jaeger O’Meara will also rotate on-ball and provide some depth, replacing David Mundy.
Captain Nathan Fyfe will also play through the middle once he is fully up and running.
On the outside, the likes of O’Driscoll, Chapman and Aish provide the run and spread. They will need to cover the loss of Blake Acres on the wing.
Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson will be a pairing to watch as the season develops in the ruck. How do the Dockers balance the pair and how do they utilise them around the ground?
Forwards
Of course, Fyfe will still rotate through the middle as well, but coach Justin Longmuir has said the two-time Brownlow Medallist will play predominantly forward.
The Dockers have one of the best crops of small forwards in the AFL, with players able to hit the scoreboard, set up others and apply elite forward pressure.
Sam Switkowski, Lachie Schultz, Michael Walters and Michael Frederick can all break games and do some damage and will likely be the key to Freo’s success.
They will be praying Matt Taberner can stay fit and that Jye Amiss continues to develop as a key forward, while one of the resting ruckmen will likely spend quite a bit of time forward. Can Luke Jackson hold down a key position post at times?
Super substitute Bailey Banfield remains their best option in the green vest as well.
