Fremantle Dockers round 21 report card: Luke Jackson, Hayden Young and Caleb Serong shine in loss to Brisbane

A week after beating Geelong, the Dockers put up a strong fight against Brisbane but couldn’t quite land a knockout blow despite a wealth of chances. It cost Fremantle the chance to secure consecutive wins for the first time since round 11 ahead of what is set to be a spiteful and evenly contested Western Derby.

Here is Fremantle’s Monday report card for round 21.

Distinctions

Luke Jackson: Another massive game from a massive man. He’s now played his best football this season when Sean Darcy hasn’t been in the team and he is proving he is worth every slice of capital the Dockers gave up to secure his services. Had 24 disposals, 44 hitouts, nine score involvements and a game-high 437 metres gained in a loss. Gave it his all and forged a strong connection with his midfield, something Darcy has struggled to do at stages this season.

Hayden Young: It’s a dilemma that Fremantle is happy to have but would love to solve before the end of the season. Starting in the centre for the second week in a row, Young went to Brisbane star Lachie Neale and immediately curtained his influence. Young is stronger than he looks and even opposed to one of the league’s best ball winners, his first goal was always to go for the ball instead of purely focusing on negating Neale. Young finished with 29 touches, seven clearances and 413 metres gained but when the game was on the line, Neale produced his best, winning nine touches and four clearances in the final term. Young still takes the points.

Caleb Serong: Solid all game and stunning when it mattered. A 13-disposal final term, including four clearances, very nearly got the Dockers across the line. His work rate to get out the front of stoppages was impressive all afternoon and his defensive pressure was also excellent. Worked through some attention from Josh Dunkley to comfortably win his one-on-one battle and give Fremantle some much needed ascendancy in the midfield.

Passes

Sam Sturt: Is making a strong case for a contract extension after kicking three goals for the first time since his debut in 2020. Sturt is starting to play to his strengths more and impact on both sides of the ball, something that couldn’t be said of him last year. Led strongly at the footy and his long range conversion in the final quarter was all class.

Sam Switkowski: Has been a bit of a hit and miss season for the ‘elite’ small forward but when Switkowski executes his strengths, he can make a big impact. Had a few darting runs around the ground and got himself involved in Fremantle’s transition with 19 disposals. Finished with 0.1 but had two goal assists and six score involvements. Pressure was good as always.

Fails

The key backs: Not a massive amount went wrong for Fremantle but the Dockers’ key backs, usually so reliable, weren’t at their best. After an outstanding game against Geelong, Alex Pearce got outmuscled on a few occasions by Joe Daniher. Luke Ryan also got beaten in a few one-on-ones and Brennan Cox looked a touch off the pace on return from injury. Jack Gunston and Joe Daniher combined for four goals.

Composure: A winnable game goes down as a missed opportunity at the end of the day, summing up Fremantle’s season of inconsistency. The Dockers created enough opportunities to convert up forward and win the game but accuracy and some slight panic proved costly. Fremantle had ascendancy in the third quarter especially but couldn’t finish its work off. And the Dockers took the points in the midfield battle yet still lost, a victory that’s been directly correlated to Fremantle’s performance this year. It ultimately won’t impact Fremantle’s ladder hopes given finals are out of the equation but performances like this cast further down on the Dockers’ consistency in a season that promised but has failed to deliver.

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The focus this week

The Western Derby. It’s the biggest ticket on the Western Australian football calendar and it could be even bigger this week given the relative ladder positions of both sides. Our two teams have been like ships in the night, passing each other at very different ends of the ladder spectrum in recent years. But both sides have performed below expectations this season and head into the derby with a lot to play for. The Dockers have won the past four cross-town clashes but the Eagles have managed to find some form late in the season, as have Fremantle.

In the WAFL, Tom Emmett is pushing for a debut up forward after being named Peel Thunder’s best in a 98-point thrashing of the Eagles’ reserves, kicking two goals. Ruck Liam Reidy (13 disposals and 26 hitouts) and Nathan Wilson (20 disposals, nine marks) were also impressive. Wilson could be considered for a recall if Ethan Hughes is ruled out with an ankle injury suffered in the third quarter.