Season preview - Fremantle

Essential information:

Coach Ross Lyon (1^st season)

2011 season: 9 wins, 13 losses (11th overall)

Player changes

In: Hayden Crozier, Zac Dawson (from St Kilda), Alex Forster, Nick Lower, Lachie Neale, Tom Sheridan, Cameron Sutcliffe

Out: Justin Bollenhagen, Roger Hayden, Clayton Hinkley, Joel Houghton, Rhys Palmer, Byron Schammer

Players to watch

Tendai Mzungu: A real find last season, in his first year Mzungu added toughness and flair to the Dockers, a team not noted for the former. A hulking dreadlocked unit, and apparently that is his real name.

Kepler Bradley: Also his real name, Bradley has somewhat re-invented himself as a supporting ruckman/key forward over the past few years. Bears little resemblance to the awkward and unco-ordinated looking player he was back at Essendon.

Questions to ask Fremantle supporters:  

• How good is it to have Ross Lyon as new coach?
• Is Matthew Pavlich the most underrated player in the AFL?

Questions not to ask:

• Wouldn't you like your old jumpers back?
• How long until you win your first flag? It only took the Eagles six years. 

Prediction: To put it bluntly, the Dockers are running out of excuses. Their list has too much talent not to make the finals, despite evidence to the contrary last season. A new coach, new logo, new jumper, new song, all are being tried to create a tougher image for Fremantle.  Perhaps what they should’ve changed the nickname of their legion of supporters, the ‘Purple Haze’, a link to the drug-fuelled 70s that they could do without. It’s a risk expecting anything of Fremantle because they are, after all, Fremantle, the AFL’s enigma.  5-8th