2021 AFLW Season Review

lIFe Membership

STEPHEN O’REILLY

Stephen O’Reilly’s Fremantle career and contributions were honoured at the 2021 Doig Medal Presentation Dinner, becoming the 31st person to be inducted as a Life Member.

A Life Membership is the greatest honour that can be bestowed by the Fremantle Dockers Football Club.

An inaugural Fremantle Docker, O’Reilly played 98 games for Fremantle between 1995 and 1999 and was a board member for 10 years between 2009 and 2019.

He played every game in 1996, helping restrict some of the most legendary forwards in AFL history on the way to winning the Doig Medal.

Traditionally, a player needs 150 games at Fremantle to be eligible for Life Membership however O’Reilly was also credited for his 10 years on the board. O’Reilly was presented the award by former teammate and fellow Life Member Dale Kickett and said he was thrilled by the honour.

“It’s a huge honour and I’m really proud to be here. I’ve been involved in the Club as a player and a director for over 15 years. It’s a really fantastic moment for me,” O’Reilly said.

“I’ve always had a real passion for Fremantle. I was a part of the inaugural team and played in the first ever game. I had the opportunity 12 years ago, I was approached to join the board and I thought I could make a difference. I was happy to get on board. It’s been a really enjoyable journey, frustrating at times as the Club obviously wants the ultimate success, but to be a part of that and continue it over the years, I’ve found it really rewarding and fulfilling.” O’Reilly paid tribute to those who helped build the Club from the ground up in the midnineties.

“The early days were pretty tough, no-one really knew what they were doing, and that’s no offence to anyone,” O’Reilly said.

“It was pretty hard to establish a football Club from the start, but they did it, we had some terrific people involved early in the Club who worked hard to get the Club going in the right direction.

“Looking at the Club now, being involved in the last 10 years, it’s come a long way, it’s a really professional organisation and on the right path to success.”

PICTURED: Stephen O’Reilly (right) with last year’s Life Membership inductee Dale Kickett (left).

Hilly’s Emotional Farewell

While the media-shy Stephen Hill joked about his relief of doing his final speaking engagement at the Doig Medal, the newly retired Fremantle legend used every moment of his time on stage at Crown Perth to give an emotional farewell to the Purple Army.

The 218-game player said he feels he will struggle watching Freo play on the sidelines but was excited to see what the Club could achieve in the coming years.

As always, the humble Hill gave credit to his support network for helping him develop into a Freo great.

“There’s so many people I’d like to thank, the footy Club for giving me the opportunity 13 years ago, there’s been so many people help me become the player and person I am today,” Hill said.

“From the coaches, Mark Harvey, Ross Lyon and Justin Longmuir, thank you guys so much. All the staff that put so much work into the Club, they’ve helped me out so much and all the players coming through.

“To the playing group, I’m going to miss you guys, it was a tough year but to see you guys every day really helped me. It was really enjoyable so thank you.”

Hill was especially thankful to his mother and wife.

“I have to thank my family for all the support over the years, especially my wife Chantala, thank you so much for putting up with me throughout the ups and downs, you’ve been amazing,” Hill said. “To my Mum, I want to thank you so much for all the sacrifices you made to get me where I am now. You’re the reason why I wanted to work so hard to become a successful player, thank you so much, I love you.”

Hill saved his final words for the Purple Army, with one fan screaming ‘we love you Hilly’ to a huge applause.

“Of course to all our supporters, you’re absolutely incredible,” Hill said.

“It’s been an amazing journey playing in front of you guys, I’m going to miss running out in front of you.”

afl aWArDS More Serong Gongs!

Young star Caleb Serong added to his growing list of accolades in 2021, winning two major AFL awards. The 20-year-old was named a co-winner of the AFL Coaches Association Best Young Player Award alongside Gold Coast’s Noah Anderson. The pair received 35 votes each from the AFL coaches across the 2020 and 2021 seasons, finishing five votes ahead of Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell who finished on 30 votes.

The 2020 NAB AFL Rising Star winner said he took great pride in an award judged upon by the coaching fraternity.

“It’s a great honour, I try and judge my game on what our coaches think,” Serong said.

“I have really good chats with Justin Longmuir and Josh Carr and listen to what they think.

“To get recognised a little bit from the coaches of other teams is a great honour because they watch the game very closely.

“It was great to get named alongside Noah, he is someone I have played with and against since we were 12 years old.

“We have kind of come up in the system together, and he is playing great footy at the moment.”

Despite the significance of being recognised by the senior coaches, Serong’s Goal of the Year win was the one that grabbed the headlines.

The spectacular snap against West Coast in the round 22 RAC Derby helped Freo seal the win against West Coast and sent Optus Stadium into raptures. It was the third time a Fremantle player has won the award, joining Winston Abraham (1996) and Hayden Ballantyne (2011).

Serong became just the fourth player to have 30+ disposals and multiple goals in an RAC Derby and he was awarded the GlendinningAllan Medal as the best on ground.

Three Fremantle players were also named in the AFL Players 22under22 team, with Andrew Brayshaw the vice captain, Sean Darcy in the ruck and Adam Cerra on the bench.

Darcy and David Mundy were also named in the 40-man 2021 All Australian squad but did not earn final selection in the team.

Round 1 Round 2

MelBOurne

SATURDAY 20 MARCH / 1.45pm / MCG

GWS

SUNDAY 28 MARCH / 3.10pm / OPTUS STADIUM

FREMANTLE 0.4 | 3.8 | 6.9 | 8.10 (58)

MELBOURNE 4.4 | 7.6 | 9.8 | 11.14 (80)

FREMANTLE 4.6 | 5.12 | 9.16 | 11.21 (87)

GWS 1.5 | 1.9 | 3.12 | 7.14 (56)

KEY STATS

GOALS Taberner 3 DISPOSALS Brayshaw 29 MARKS Cerra 7 TACKLES Switkowski, Cerra, Fyfe, Ryan, Schultz 5 INJURIES Pearce (knee), Hamling (leg) UMPIRES Deboy, Stephens, Harris OFFICIAL CROWD 21,365

DEBUT Lloyd Meek

OVERVIEW

A slow start and injuries hampered what could have been a promising opening to the 2021 season. Freo had conceded five consecutive majors before Sam Switkowski finally got the visitors on the board midway through the second term. Alex Pearce started the game playing forward due to a lengthy injury list in attack, and then sustained a knee injury which left Freo further devoid of marking targets outside of Matt Taberner (three goals). Fremantle were able to lift to get within 16 points in the final term, however the Dees held on for their first win in their premiership winning year.

KEY STATS

GOALS Schultz 3 DISPOSALS Mundy 35 MARKS Ryan 10 TACKLES Schultz, Brayshaw 6 BROWNLOW Mundy 3, Brayshaw 2, Switkowski 1 INJURIES Fyfe (concussion) UMPIRES Power, Dalgleish, Johanson OFFICIAL CROWD 27,625

DEBUT Heath Chapman MILESTONE James Aish 100 AFL games

OVERVIEW

A dominant performance saw Fremantle put GWS to the sword in what could have been a significant winning margin had Freo converted more than 11 of their 32 scoring opportunities. Fremantle won the clearances (29-21), inside 50s (58-42) and dominated the contested ball (145-113) in the convincing win. Andrew Brayshaw (32 disposals, two goals) and David Mundy (35 disposals and six clearances) were brilliant in the midfield. Ruckman Sean Darcy provided a highlight in his return match, flicking a delightful hit-out over his shoulder to Sam Switkowski who snapped truly, while Lachie Schultz finished with three goals.

Round 3 Round 4

carlTOn

SUNDAY 4 APRIL / 3.20pm / MARVEL STADIUM

HaWTHOrn

SUNDAY 11 APRIL / 2.40pm / OPTUS STADIUM

FREMANTLE 3.1 | 4.4 | 6.7 | 9.10 (64)

CARLTON 3.5 | 9.9 | 13.11 | 16.13 (109)

FREMANTLE 5.6 | 6.11 | 10.12 | 13.18 (96)

HAWTHORN 0.2 | 5.4 | 8.8 | 12.9 (81)

KEY STATS

GOALS Walters, Taberner 2 DISPOSALS Ryan 24 MARKS Frederick, Giro, Taberner 8 TACKLES Mundy 11 INJURIES Nil

UMPIRES Donlon, Stevic, Glouftsis OFFICIAL CROWD 24,551

KEY STATS

GOALS Darcy 3 DISPOSALS Fyfe 30 MARKS Taberner 9 TACKLES Cerra 6 BROWNLOW Mundy 2, Darcy 1 INJURIES Nil

UMPIRES O’Gorman, Findlay, Williamson OFFICIAL CROWD 29,490

DEBUT Josh Treacy

OVERVIEW

Outside of an early flurry in the first quarter that saw Fremantle take a nine-point lead, Freo failed to threaten the Blues who dominated the uncontested ball 279 to 187 and marks 117 to 78. From halfway through the first term to late in the second, the Blues kicked seven consecutive goals with Harry McKay kicking four of his seven goals for the day during the run. Acting captain David Mundy had a career-high 11 tackles while young midfield trio Caleb Serong (22 disposals), Andrew Brayshaw (19) and Adam Cerra (19) were outmatched by Carlton mids Sam Walsh (37 disposals) and Patrick Cripps (34).

OVERVIEW

After being called out by senior coach Justin Longmuir for hanging some teammates out to dry in round three, Fremantle upped the ante against the Hawks and got physical on their way to a 13.18 (96) to 12.9 (81) win. In a fiery clash, Freo benefited from the return of champion midfielder Nat Fyfe, who led the physical charge in the midfield and was superb with 31 possessions. Mundy was also excellent in the midfield, continuing a brilliant first month with 25 disposals, seven clearances and nine inside 50s. Ruckman Sean Darcy showed plenty of forward craft with three goals, while firstyear defender Heath Chapman was composed with 18 disposals.

Round 5 Round 6

aDelAIDe

SUNDAY 18 APRIL / 12.40pm / ADELAIDE OVAL

nOrTH MelBOurne

SATURDAY 24 APRIL / 6.15pm / OPTUS STADIUM

FREMANTLE 2.1 | 3.5 | 8.7 | 12.12 (84)

ADELAIDE 2.1 | 5.5 | 8.6 | 11.6 (72)

FREMANTLE 3.4 | 7.9 | 11.13 | 14.15 (99)

NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 | 3.5 | 5.9 | 6.12 (48)

KEY STATS

GOALS Taberner 4 DISPOSALS Brayshaw 33 MARKS Ryan 10 TACKLES Fyfe 9 BROWNLOW Brayshaw 3, Ryan 2, Taberner 1 INJURIES Nil

UMPIRES Rosebury, Nicholls, Heffernan OFFICIAL CROWD 31,454

KEY STATS

GOALS Schultz, Taberner 4 DISPOSALS Serong 35 MARKS Brayshaw, Ryan 8 TACKLES Darcy 8 BROWNLOW Mundy 3, Serong 2, Fyfe 1 INJURIES Cox (ankle), Walters (eye) UMPIRES Donlon, Meredith, Johanson OFFICIAL CROWD No crowd

permitted

OVERVIEW

A stunning David Mundy snap kick-started a run of four consecutive goals in the final term to secure a rousing away win against Adelaide. Matt Taberner was a constant threat in attack with four goals and onballer Andrew Brayshaw was a standout with 33 disposals, including seven clearances. Luke Ryan (24 touches, 10 marks) was brilliant in defence while small forwards Travis Colyer and Lachie Schultz were important with two goals each.

OVERVIEW

In a physical clash at a locked-out Optus Stadium, Fremantle soaked up an early flurry from the Kangaroos before taking over with authority. David Mundy continued his remarkable early-season form to finish with 30 disposals, eight clearances and three goals. Caleb Serong (35 touches, six clearances and six inside 50s) and Nat Fyfe (34, seven and six) were superb in the midfield, giving the team a 37-26 clearance advantage, while Andrew Brayshaw (30 and four inside 50s) worked through early attention from Kayne Turner. Up front, Matt Taberner and Lachie Schultz booted four goals each. It was the first time the Club had won three consecutive matches since round 13, 2019, and the first time under senior coach Justin Longmuir.

Round 7 Round 8

WeST cOaST

SUNDAY 2 MAY / 2.40pm / OPTUS STADIUM

BrISBane

SUNDAY 9 MAY / 4.40pm / GABBA

FREMANTLE 4.0 | 9.3 | 11.5 | 11.7 (73)

WEST COAST 4.2 | 11.4 | 17.8 | 20.12 (132)

FREMANTLE 2.1 | 3.3 | 7.7 | 10.11 (71)

BRISBANE 5.4 | 8.7 | 12.9 | 14.11 (95)

KEY STATS

GOALS Taberner 3 DISPOSALS Brayshaw 32 MARKS Watson 8 TACKLES Mundy 5 INJURIES Hughes (shoulder), Chapman (shoulder) UMPIRES Margetts, Dalgleish, Johanson OFFICIAL CROWD No crowd

permitted

KEY STATS

GOALS Serong, Taberner 2 DISPOSALS Brayshaw 28 MARKS Lobb 8 TACKLES Fyfe 5 INJURIES Frederick (ankle) UMPIRES Foot, Whetton, Dore OFFICIAL CROWD 15,403

OVERVIEW

After a promising start, Fremantle were dismantled by West Coast in a high-scoring, locked-out ‘away’ RAC Derby at Optus Stadium. Matt Taberner shone early with three majors, which was his seventh consecutive game with multiple goals. Andrew Brayshaw toiled for Freo in the midfield with another strong performance with 32 disposals. David Mundy also had moments of brilliance with 29 disposals, five tackles, seven inside 50s and one goal.

OVERVIEW

Fremantle had no shortage of opportunities against Brisbane, winning the inside 50 count 52 to 49 despite never really threatening the Lions in a four-goal loss. The midfield worked hard with Andrew Brayshaw, Nat Fyfe and David Mundy getting plenty of ball, but they were untidy at times and struggled to challenge Brisbane's defence. Fremantle had no problem winning the ball – they just had trouble scoring with it. Travis Colyer offered some good overlap run in the second half, allowing Fremantle to be much more dangerous when going forward.

Round 9 Round 10

eSSenDOn

SUNDAY 16 MAY / 1.10pm / MARVEL STADIUM

SYDneY

SATURDAY 22 MAY / 5.40pm / OPTUS STADIUM

FREMANTLE 2.2 | 4.6 | 7.9 | 8.13 (61)

ESSENDON 3.2 | 5.2 | 7.6 | 10.8 (68)

FREMANTLE 3.2 | 6.6 | 10.11 | 12.14 (86)

SYDNEY 4.0 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 13.6 (84)

KEY STATS

GOALS Taberner 4 DISPOSALS Brayshaw 33 MARKS Cox 9 TACKLES Brayshaw, Darcy 8 BROWNLOW Mundy 2, Taberner 1 INJURIES Nil

UMPIRES Stevic, Whetton, Mollison OFFICIAL CROWD 26,357

KEY STATS

GOALS Lobb 4 DISPOSALS Mundy 29 MARKS Lobb, Ryan 9 TACKLES Fyfe, Schultz, Switkowski 5 BROWNLOW Lobb 2, Fyfe 1 INJURIES Nil

UMPIRES Power, Dalgleish, Hosking OFFICIAL CROWD 29,134

OVERVIEW

Fremantle were again left to rue their inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking 8.13 in a seven-point loss at Marvel Stadium. Andrew Brayshaw (33 disposals), Nat Fyfe (29) and Adam Cerra (28) all won plenty of the ball, while talls Sean Darcy (22 touches and 38 hitouts) and Matt Taberner (four goals) also excelled. A Michael Walters snap put Fremantle ahead in the third term but Freo’s 1.4 final term compared to Essendon’s 3.2 saw the Bombers take a vital four points that would eventually be the difference between the teams at the end of the season.

OVERVIEW

Freo faced a Sydney outfit featuring Lance Franklin at his dangerous best, with Griffin Logue having impressive moments in an enthralling battle that still saw Franklin kick six goals. The ferocious and high-quality contest swung repeatedly in the second half, with the lead changing four times in the thrilling final term. Rory Lobb was outstanding booting 4.0 and taking nine marks (four contested). As well as kicking the match-winner, Nat Fyfe was dominant in the midfield, finishing with 27 disposals and a gamehigh 13 clearances – one shy of his career-best of 14. First-year forward Josh Treacy provided the highlight of the night, kicking his first AFL career goal on the run outside 50 to put Fremantle in front in the final term.

Round 11 Round 12

POrT aDelAIDe

SUNDAY 30 MAY / 4.50pm / ADELAIDE OVAL

WeSTern BullDOGS

SUNDAY 6 JUNE / 4.40pm / OPTUS STADIUM

FREMANTLE 0.7 | 6.10 | 8.13 | 9.15 (69)

PORT ADELAIDE 7.5 | 12.5 | 14.5 | 18.7 (115)

FREMANTLE 2.2 | 4.4 | 7.8 | 9.11 (65)

WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.3 | 6.8 | 8.10 | 13.15 (93)

KEY STATS

GOALS Fyfe 2 DISPOSALS Brayshaw 28 MARKS Cerra, Aish 6 TACKLES Fyfe 6 BROWNLOW Fyfe 1 INJURIES Switkowski (hamstring) UMPIRES Dalgleish, Johanson, Bryce, Lewis OFFICIAL CROWD 26,759

OVERVIEW

A sub-par opening term left Fremantle with too much work to do in a 46-point loss to Port Adelaide. Freo had only one less scoring shot than their opponent to continue a worrying trend of inaccuracy in the 2021 season. Power’s 12-4 advantage at the clearances in the first quarter set the tone for the clash. The lead stretched out to 50 points during the second term before Fremantle switched on with a sixgoal quarter, their first under senior coach Justin Longmuir. A brilliant captain’s goal in the final term, Nat Fyfe’s second of the night, gave Fremantle hope as the margin was cut to 21 points but that was as close as Freo would get as Port Adelaide kicked the final three goals.

KEY STATS

GOALS Treacy 3 DISPOSALS Mundy 30 MARKS Ryan 10 TACKLES Serong 9 BROWNLOW Mundy 2 INJURIES Logue (concussion), Fyfe (shoulder), Cox (hamstring), Crowden (AC joint), Taberner (ankle) replaced in the selected side by Blakely UMPIRES Chamberlain, Meredith, Williamson OFFICIAL CROWD 32,875

OVERVIEW

The Western Bulldogs soaked up the best of Fremantle and then pounced when Fremantle were hit by injuries to captain Nat Fyfe (shoulder), ruckman Sean Darcy (hamstring) and defender Brennan Cox (hamstring) in the space of two minutes. Midfield pair David Mundy (30 and eight clearances) and Andrew Brayshaw (27 and six) were excellent, with Brayshaw's checkside goal on the run in the first quarter a highlight of the match. Josh Treacy continued his emergence, booting three goals in an impressive display where he led strongly and kicked with confidence.