Three weeks ago, Fremantle’s season looked nearly dead and buried as they owned a 2-5 record and faced a daunting month of football where they had to face Sydney (away), Geelong (home) and Melbourne (away).
And so it seemed as if the Dockers, despite lofty expectations at the start of the year, would likely fall to three wins and eight losses and be resigned to the bottom half of the ladder for 2023.
But after three strong wins on the trot against the Hawks, Swans and Cats, Justin Longmuir’s side only sits outside of the top eight due to percentage, and former Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge believes one young star has been the catalyst for the Dockers’ turnaround.
Caleb Serong, 22, is putting together some sort of season in which he averages career-bests for disposals (30.7), clearances (7.4) and tackles (5.4), and has been one of his club’s very best in 2023.
Hodge says Serong’s year-on-year improvement puts him right in All-Australian calculations.
“I reckon Serong is putting his hand up,” Hodge told SEN’s Sportsday.
“What you need to get All-Australian is not one season out, it’s consistent seasons where they (selectors) take notice of you and see if you’re able to do it.
“How he has improved over the last three years - he averaged 20-odd touches three years ago, 26 last year, he is up to 30 touches this year. It’s his career best year in clearances and inside 50s.
“He has got a really good balance in contested possession and uncontested possession. I think he averages 13 contested a game and 17 uncontested.
“After Round 10 he has already got his record for goal assists that he has had for a season. So, I am sitting back going, ‘well, how have they jumped back up and are playing good football?’
“Well it’s on the back of (Andrew) Brayshaw playing good footy, but it’s also Serong who is just so consistent this year.”
The Dockers face their toughest challenge yet when they come up against fourth-placed Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.