Fremantle Dockers: Are They Primed for a Maiden AFL Premiership?

We had a phrase in our house when I was growing up, a throwaway line that could be delivered whenever dreams inflated to the point they could lead to potential heartbreak.

Whether it was a new Star Wars figure, a computer game, or for my sister, maybe getting Simple Minds tickets in 1986, the caution was simple:

"Don't get your hopes up."

Of course, as a child, you always did.

Even now, deep into middle age, getting my hopes up is a strange balm for the spirit.

But every sports fan knows what a tightrope it can be, getting those hopes up.

Speaking to any of the battle-worn Freo fans around the ABC office, bitten more often than Evander Holyfield when hopes are elevated, you sense hope is slowly shifting into something else — expectation a first premiership is within reach.

Certainly the club is encouraging the fans to let their imaginations run wild.

“Our fans should be excited about the path we’re on, but our challenge is to just stay in the moment and give every team our best. That’s been our mantra all year and it won’t change," coach Justin Longmuir said last month.

Both he and captain Alex Pearce are adamant no one is putting the cart before the horse.

List envy

Fremantle has quietly put together what, at this stage of the season, looks to be the best squad in the competition by some way.

It says something when the likes of Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, for so long the backbone of a side chipping around the margins of finals, are no longer required to play starring roles, their selflessness testament to a team-first ethos.

When Richmond was winning premierships there was always another gear they could find when challenged, usually reached via Dustin Martin, who seemed to activate his inner Michael Jordan whenever needed.

But Fremantle has three genuine game changers who can ignite the side when the chips are down.

Luke Jackson has become the best ruckman in the competition, and his athleticism around stoppages, in the air or on the ground, can take the breath away.

Need a big moment, look no further than Action Jackson.

Shai Bolton is another who can turn a game with a moment of brilliance.

Whether it be a hanger, or a goal of the year contender (he produced both in three minutes against St Kilda about a month back) or even just a clearance when the team is under the pump, Bolton is capable of delivering.

And Hayden Young is all class: physically imposing yet silky midfielder with surgeon-like precision when it comes to distributing the football.

That's not even mentioning Josh Treacy, a key forward who works his guts out every week and is the best contested mark in the competition.

Shut down Treacy, and then you'll have the man who plays more like a wounded bull than a prancing pony, Pat Voss.

Treacy and Voss are enough of a threat, but throw Jye Amiss into the mix and you have a forward line capable not just of giving headaches to opposition defences, but knocking them out cold.

Between them that trio has kicked 88 goals this season.

And down back, the Dockers have the most miserly defence in the league.

The tall timber like Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan help turn it over for the runners like Jordan Clark and Judd McVee to distribute.

Rude health

Fremantle has won 12 games on the trot, and have rarely looked like losing.

They are also in remarkable physical condition.

Heading into their round 15 clash with Geelong, the Dockers had only one player from their 44-strong squad unavailable through injury.

The club has never been so well placed to launch a campaign for a maiden premiership.

And if we're talking about breaking sporting droughts, there's a fair precedent already set so far this year.

In the NBA, the New York Knicks claimed their first title since 1973 with a win over the San Antonio Spurs, triggering jubilant (see also 'maniacal') scenes throughout the city.

Surely in laid back WA, and especially in uber-laid back Fremantle, such scenes would not be repeated.

But as the Dockers continue to flex their muscle, one would be surprised if businesses along the cafe strip were not, at the very least, getting some quotes on roller shutters.

Because if that flag does come, there would be one almighty party in the port.

And 23 men and their coach would become immortal.