Finishing mid-table in 2021, the Fremantle Dockers donโt look too far off from getting back to their very best after some lacklustre performances in the previous years.
Inconsistent performances against weaker teams, as well as impressive victories over arguably stronger teams, led to mixed feelings amongst the Freo faithful over how the team performed.
Coming into the 2022 season, Justin Longmuir's side look stronger than ever on paper. It's now about putting everything into action and performing when it matters most.
With many players on the brink of returning from injury, things are looking up for the Dockers. And with a lot of players starting to find themselves, flourishing in their current roles, as well as the return of captain Nat Fyfe, Fremantle fans have a lot to be excited about going into the upcoming season.
Off-Season Moves
Ins: Jye Amiss, Neil Erasmus, Matthew Johnson, Eric Benning, Will Brodie [Gold Cost], Jordan Clark [Geelong]
Outs: Brett Bewley [delisted], Adam Cerra [Carlton], Reece Conca [delisted], Taylin Dunman [delisted], Stefan Giro [delisted], Stephen Hill [retired], Leno Thomas [delisted], Luke Valentine [retired], Tobe Watson [delisted]
Breakout Player
Heading towards his third season in the league, Serong started to show glimpses of just how important of a player he can be for the purple-clad club. Gathering some outstanding form towards the end of the season, the 21-year-old will look to build on these performances going into the new season.
Serong was slightly inconsistent in the earlier rounds but looked an incredibly dangerous player when he got up and running. Finishing the last three games with 30, 31 and 35 disposals respectively proves just how good of a player he is when heโs got some momentum.
The young midfielder also showed bursts of individual brilliance a few times throughout the year, most notably with his checkside goal from the boundary against West Coast in Round 22, which won him Goal of the Year gong.
If the last three games of the 2021 season are anything to go by, Serong looks to be developing into one of the league's best young talents, with a Fyfe/Serong/Brayshaw rotation in the midfield looking like a really exciting prospect for the aspiring Dockers.