History is there to be made by Freo in the next three years, and it might just come in 2024

While Carlton and Sydney have been the standouts this season and are the best two sides in it at the moment, it is Fremantle as long-time listeners to SEN Sportsday would be aware that has excited me all season.

It's been a year of some big ups and some horrible downs for the Dockers, but on average, an exciting year of progress.

Four weeks ago, I had them as a lock for the finals to which I received, a fair bit of pushback.

But their win against Sydney has them now at the forefront of people's thinking, but only as a finalist.

But Freo aren't in it just to play finals. They are in it chasing the historic first flag and if they make the top four, which I think they will, they'll be a very big chance to grab a first and a bit of history.

But it's their age profile and young talent that is so compelling.

A list masterfully put together by David Walls, son of Robert, that makes the flag very gettable in the foreseeable future.

Consider this from the start of the season. At 25, Sean Darcy and Brennan Cox. At 24, Andrew Brayshaw. At 23, Caleb Serong, Jordan Clark, Sam Sturt, Hayden Young and Michael Frederick. At 22, Heath Chapman, Luke Jackson and Jeremy Sharp along with Tom Emmett. At 21, Matt Johnson, Josh Treacy, Brandon Walker and Nathan O’Driscoll. At 20, Jye Amiss, Neil Erasmus and Patrick Voss.

That's 19 players 25 are under that are the core of the wave of talent that has been recruited to complement Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters and Bailey Banfield.

They have slowly reworked their game plan and the formula is improving week on week.

This time last year, Hayden Young was an exciting halfback. He moved into the midfield late in the season but has developed more into a forward-mid in recent times which has significantly impacted on their connection, which has been the missing link.

Darcy is getting fitter and was near B.O.G. last week against the Swans.

Treacy and Amiss are growing rapidly.

The Dockers are coming perhaps at a faster rate than most expected.

Can they win the flag in 2024? I can't see why not.

Will they win it in the next three years? You'd be surprised if they don't.

They're not easy to win, especially from the West. But boy, history is there to be made by this group of exciting Dockers.