Anything and Everything Fremantle
Archive for June, 2011
From ad pitches to the oval, Harris is on a roll
113 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
Steve Harris admits he makes an unlikely president of the perennially underachieving AFL club Fremantle.
Harris, who also runs Perth advertising powerhouse The Brand Agency, has not played a game of Australian rules football in his life — despite growing up in footy-crazed Western Australia.
Even worse, in the eyes of some rusted-on Fremantle supporters, he was a fan of bitter cross-town AFL rival West Coast before he switched allegiance to the Dockers about 10 years ago.
Family and mates knew Michael Barlow’s comeback was never in doubt
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
Those who know Michael Barlow best, knew his return would come.
The AFL’s most talked about 13-gamer will step on to the MCG for the first time in Fremantle colours, returning to the competition almost a year after the shocking injury that ended his dream debut.
Barlow built a remarkable first-season average of 27.8 disposals and kicked 15 goals before a collision with teammate Rhys Palmer last July snapped his left tibia and fibula.
Sickening images were beamed around the country as Barlow was carried down the race and questions were posed as to whether he could return with the same ability – if he returned at all.
Bucovaz grasps second chance
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
The road that has led to his AFL debut has been a long and difficult one for Ben Bucovaz.
Drafted by Freo in the 2008 AFL Draft, Bucovaz spent two years on Fremantle’s main list without making a senior appearance.
At the end of the 2010 season he was delisted, but was given another go via the club’s rookie list.
On Sunday against Melbourne at the MCG, Bucovaz will run out with the Fremantle Dockers for the first time.
“It’s been a bit up and down, the last three years,” Bucovaz said.
“I saw being rookie listed as a second chance.”
“I’ve stuck it out and now I’m looking forward to Sunday.”
Bucovaz, 20, credits having a full pre-season for the improvement in his game this season.
“I came to the club underdone and I haven’t had a full pre-season before,” he said.
WAFL Watch: Key defenders return
013 years
As hype builds around Michael Barlow’s AFL comeback after 12 months recovering from a broken leg, it is worth noting two other important players that also returned from injury in the WAFL at the weekend.
Defenders Alex Silvagni and Roger Hayden have been sidelined all season with groin and foot injuries respectively, but they impressed in round 13 of the state competition.
The versatile Silvagni played roughly a half for the Peel Thunder reserves, while Hayden got through three quarters with South Fremantle’s reserves side.
“That was the great thing about the weekend, having Alex and Roger back,” assistant coach Simon Lloyd said.
“We saw it with Alex on the track last week when he joined in our match simulation, he’s got a real presence out there. We were very happy with his first outing.
“With Roger, his attack on the contest is what stood out for me for someone that has been out for such a long period of time. His decision making was really sharp.”
Headland help for Hayden comeback
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
Former Docker Des Headland has come to his old club’s aid in a bid to get urgently-needed match practice for Roger Hayden.
Hayden and teammate Michael Walters have been released by the Dockers to play in an indigenous all-stars team coached by Headland against the State under-20s team, coached by another former Docker Paul Hasleby, at Bendigo Bank Stadium on Saturday.
Hayden, who hasn’t played AFL this season because of a foot injury, got his first match practice last week, playing three quarters with the South Fremantle reserves.
Headland said yesterday the Dockers had requested Hayden play so his return would not be affected by the WAFL bye created by the interstate clash between WA and Queensland which, volcanic ash cloud permitting, would be played before the all-stars game.
Round 13 and Barlow’s Back
013 years
It’s the confirmation every Fremantle Dockers’ supporter and football fans in general have been waiting for since July 3, 2010.
In: Michael Barlow.
He might have to take a submarine, a camel train or even hitchhike, but Barlow will be in Melbourne with his Fremantle teammates to play the Demons at the MCG on Sunday.
After almost 11 months on the sidelines with a broken leg sustained in that fateful round 14 fixture last season, the 23-year-old has been named in Freo’s squad for the crucial fixture.
Rookie-listed Ben Bucovaz has also been selected and will make his AFL debut.
Bucovaz, 20, was taken in the 2008 AFL Draft as the No. 56 pick overall. He is a strongly built type with a long, penetrating kick.
Reigning Doig Medallist David Mundy is out for up to eight weeks, while Hayden Ballantyne also misses with a minor hamstring problem that will keep him out for a fortnight.
Fremantle flying low
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
By SportsNewsFirst
Fremantle has been assured by AFL authorities that they will not have their travel plans interrupted ahead of an important clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
It is understood the Dockers have been guaranteed a flight to Melbourne on Friday as usual, two days before a bid to end an MCG hoodoo of nine straight losses.
The AFL also moved to safeguard travel for Hawthorn’s “home” game in Launceston against Gold Coast on Saturday.
The league announced that both clubs will head to Tasmania on Thursday.
AFL Mid-Season Report Card
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
FREMANTLE
Win/Loss: 6-5 Ladder: 7th
Next four: Melb, Bris, GC, Bye
Flag odds: $34
Mike’s mark: B+
SuperCoach hero: Matthew Pavlich (112)
In a nutshell: Got to tip our hats to Mark Harvey, as Freo remains in the top-four race despite a horror injury run. Could win next three games.
Pressure point: The Dockers will have to find another clearance specialist without David Mundy for the next two months. Michael Barlow, welcome back.
Upside: It’s a total no-risk policy with Aaron Sandilands’ injured foot. He may not return until Round 17, after the Dockers’ bye.
Defining moment: The win against Essendon without Sandilands on Sunday could be a watershed moment for the Dockers. They can’t be a one-man band.
Borrowed time: Rhys Palmer can start boxing up his things. Kevin Sheedy says Greater Western Sydney has already signed one midfielder and we suspect it’s him.
AFL 2011 Half-Time Report
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
Fremantle (7th, 6th)
WHAT’S GONE RIGHT: Nat Fyfe is a tremendous find. In just his second year the utility player appears to have reached an elite level, while David Mundy was already there. The Dockers have done a reasonable job of damage control among arguably the worst injury spate in the AFL.
WHAT’S GONE WRONG: Fremantle began with long-term absentees such as Michael Barlow, then lost another couple of players in the pre-season including Alex Silvagni and Anthony Morabito. Then Aaron Sandilands went down after such a fine start.
THE COACH: Mark Harvey is safe in the job for now, and needs to get his best team on the park more often to be properly judged.
SURPRISE: Kepler Bradley is a massive beneficiary of the new interchange rule, which killed off the idea of the lumbering second ruckman. He backed up Sandilands (when he was fit) and also has kicked 20 goals. It is arguably the best season from a maligned player.
DISAPPOINTMENT: When he won the Rising Star, Rhys Palmer looked to have it all before him. But a full knee reconstruction then a slower-than-expected return put him off the radar. There is talk of him defecting to Greater Western Sydney.
THE STAT: Fremantle has scored from 53 per cent of its inside-50s — ranked 1 in the league.
THE DRAW: Four more trips to Melbourne are a test, and the Dockers still have to play Collingwood, Carlton and Hawthorn.
Harvey confirms Barlow return
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has confirmed that midfielder Michael Barlow will make his highly-anticipated return from a broken leg against Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.
The 23-year-old booked his senior comeback after a best-on-ground, 33-possession performance for Peel Thunder in the WAFL last Saturday.
Harvey said after 11 months on the sidelines and two competitive matches on the comeback trail, Barlow was ready to rejoin his teammates at AFL level.
“I told him yesterday to brace himself and get ready for playing at the MCG,” Harvey said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday. “All the hard work’s paid off.
“He’s just excited to be back in the team, (so) hopefully he can take off from where he left it.
“I announced it to the players this morning and the applause was deafening.”
Barlow will in effect replace clearance specialist David Mundy, who will be sidelined for six to eight weeks with an ankle injury. Harvey said he wouldn’t ease Barlow back on Sunday.
