From a finals win in 2022 to a 14th-placed finish in 2023, it has been an underwhelming season for Fremantle.
Still a young team full of potential, there's reason to believe the Dockers can quickly recapture their best form moving forward.
Letter Grade: D
The Sporting News takes a look at Fremantle’s 2023 season.
Did Fremantle over/under achieve in 2023?
Fremantle dropped from 15 wins last year to just ten in 2023, and finished nine spots lower on the ladder.
It's a disappointing result for a club that, with the talent it possesses, was capable of so much more.
Injuries to Sean Darcy and Will Brodie hurt the Dockers, but it was a slow start to the year that did much of the damage.
An underachieving season for Fremantle.
MORE: West Coast Eagles 2023 season review: Veterans disappoint, Oscar Allen shines
What worked?
Fremantle handed the keys to young forwards Jye Amiss, Sam Sturt, and Josh Treacy, with the trio forming a tall spearhead in attack.
Amiss was particularly impressive, showing his ability to snatch contested marks while slotting 41 goals across 22 matches.
While it was an uncompetitive season for the Dockers, they'll soon reap the rewards of an important development year for their tall timber.
What went wrong?
The Dockers entered the season wanting to build and draw out plays from the back half and showed little to no dare in early-season matches.
Coach Justin Longmuir's side dropped to a two-win, five-loss record in the first seven games, before going on a brief mid-season run of form.
Fremantle put more speed on the ball and showed more run-and-carry in the latter part of the season, but still wasn't able to match the competition's best.
MORE: AFL Awards Night winners 2023
Fremantle best player
A sole All-Australian representative for the club, Caleb Serong took the next step in his fourth AFL season.
The midfielder led the league in disposals, and ranked sixth for clearances per game, overtaking Andrew Brayshaw as the Dockers' main man.
There's plenty of upside left in Serong, who was unable to steer his club to more wins in a difficult season.
Who should Fremantle target in the AFL trade period?
Fremantle is set to lose winger Liam Henry in the trade period, with the 22-year-old requesting a trade to Victoria on Wednesday.
The Dockers, who lost wingman Blake Acres in 2022, should look to restock the position either through the draft or via trade.
Hawthorn forward Tyler Brockman will also be in the club's sights, with the Western Australian seeking a trade to his home state.
MORE: AFL Trade news & rumours latest
