THE Dockers had a fantastic season in 2019 making them a real team to watch in 2020. While they may have lost a few players to expansion club, West Coast Eagles, Fremantle have plenty of talented names in their ranks and have the consistency to come in and create an exciting season once more. 

KEY PLAYER:

Kara Antonio (midfielder)

The Fremantle captain has been key for the side’s success over the years, with her game awareness and leadership taking the side to a new level in 2019 after slow 2017 and 2018 season saw the Dockers toward the bottom of the ladder. Always involved in the contest, Antonio (nee Donnellan) is a hard worker who leads by example and puts in the hard yards at every opportunity to win the ball and create opportunities for her team. 

RISING STAR:

Roxy Roux (key forward/ruck)

While the Dockers have plenty of exciting talent coming through the ranks, one cannot look past the skill of Roxy Roux. With strong kick and aerial ability to boot, Roux has the ability to play anywhere across the field but has a keen eye inside 50, finding the footy and marking with ease to put goals on the board. Roux has a skill for marking thanks to her impressive leap, with clean hands in the pack a real feature of her game. 

WATCH FOR: 

Ashley Sharp (forward)

With a few seasons and the 2019 Goal of the Year award under her belt, expect Ash Sharp to come out flying after an impressive season for Swan Districts in the Western Australian Women’s Football League (WAWFL) in 2019. With goal sense and speed, Sharp creates an exciting prospect both on the wing and inside 50, able to have an impact where required and can break open a game with her footy IQ.

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CONFERENCE OPPONENTS: Carlton, Collingwood, Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast, Western Bulldogs.

FIXTURE:

Round 1 – vs. Geelong
Round 2 – @ West Coast
Round 3 – vs. Collingwood
Round 4 – @ St Kilda
Round 5 – vs. Brisbane
Round 6 – @ Western Bulldogs
Round 7 – vs. Melbourne
Round 8 – @ Carlton

Fremantle have a fairly straightforward fixture this season, and with matches against overall lower ranked 2019 sides and two expansions early in the season, will look to go one better than their 2019 season. The real test will be the second half of the season, with Conference B rivals Melbourne and Carlton set to deny the Dockers finals chances. Carlton also defeated the Dockers in the finals last season making the final round of the season one to watch.

PREDICTION: 1st/2nd in Conference B

While the Dockers have plenty of tough competition in Conference B, if they can maintain they impressive form they put out in 2019 they could be right in there for finals contention once more. They will also not have to take on reigning premiers, Adelaide, making it an exciting time for Dockers fans, though the real test will be continuing where 2019 left off without some key players on the ground.