Often in the AFL landscape all it takes is one convincing performance to turn around a team's fortunes. No matter whether it's against a bottom-four team, a top-eight team, or a leading flag contender.
For the Fremantle Dockers, it hasn't been just one scalp, but four consecutive wins against Hawthorn, Sydney, Geelong and Melbourne to revive their season from a period of disappointment that has since blossomed into newfound optimism.
In the lead-up to the season, expectations within Fremantle would be to push again for a top-eight finish, even potentially top-four if the cards aligned into place. Season 2022 delivered almost everything the club had hoped for - playing finals football for the first time since 2015, notching up a September win, and seeing the continual ascent of Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong.
It all led to building upon a successful campaign in 2023, however the start wouldn't be the smoothest of sailing.
In the opening seven rounds, Fremantle looked like a shadow of a semi-final-finishing team. Slow ball movement, no clear forward target, and no flare to be expansive. A 2-5 record didn't make for optimistic reading. Only twice did the Dockers reach the 100-point mark, coming against a depleted West Coast outfit and a similar struggling Gold Coast side.
But several glaring aspects would've made Dockers supporters cynical about September dreams. Poor disposal by foot against Adelaide hurt them badly before the Bulldogs and Lions battered them at the contested ball in Rounds 6 and 7.
Something had to change immediately to buoy a slowly sinking Dockers ship.
While the absence of former skipper and two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe hurt, Fremantle weren't in a position to rely on their battling veteran. They had already shown they could win games without his superstar brilliance.
Even though the Dockers' woes were reflected in its win-loss record, the usual reliable performers in Serong, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan, James Aish, Hayden Young and Jaeger O'Meara still had consistent performances. But it was the concerns in Brayshaw's form that left many questioning the Dockers star after an All-Australian campaign in 2022.
Whilst still racking up excellent numbers, averaging 25.8 disposals in the opening six rounds, he didn't have his usual efficient production, with a knee issue coming to light midway through the opening half of the season. Since his stellar 30-disposal, two-goal effort in a comprehensive loss to Brisbane, the vice-captain hasn't missed a beat - averaging 31.4 disposals, 6.6 tackles and 5.2 clearances per game.
His turnaround in form has coincided with the side's season revival. It's a far cry from the side who couldn't generate easy goals and would be obliterated in clearances.
But where have Fremantle's fortunes considerably changed?
There is a magnitude of different areas culminating in the side's turning of the tide. From winning their fair share of the ball and clearance counts, reducing opposition marks Inside 50, and increasing the dangerous presence of their small forwards awaiting the loose crumbs. This trio of factors can be attributed to the overall success in the last month.
In the aftermath of the Lions loss, coach Justin Longmuir backed the game plan to move the ball freely, an area severely missing in the opening six rounds.
"You can't come up here and be conservative against a really mature team, so we wanted to take the game on. We probably got the balance a little wrong ... but I liked the dare we showed and the intent with ball in hand," Longmuir said.
From that game onwards it has paid dividends.
Wins against Hawthorn, Sydney, and Geelong showed the aggressive football Fremantle strung in 2022, using the kick back into the corridor to open up space before finding a target in attacking 50. In particular, in the Cats clash, the strategy of isolating Geelong's well-renowned defensive zone, then catching them out the back for the simplest of majors was a clear positive. Limiting Tom Stewart's effectiveness was key, holding the four-time All-Australian to only five marks.
Behind the staple of winning has been an emerging young key forward who is seizing the opportunity with both hands. When injury-prone Matt Taberner went down with injury once more, this time with a back injury sustained against Gold Coast in Round 5, 19-year-old Jye Amiss seamlessly filled in as the first-string key forward.
He has shown flashes, most notably in the stirring elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs, where he booted two critical goals.
However, with greater opportunities, he is relishing the moment in his second season. Only once this season he has been held goalless, and in four games he has kicked three goals, most recently against Melbourne last Saturday, leading to his Rising Star nomination for Round 11. Despite only being in his second season, the former first-round selection is proving why he is a key piece among the Dockers' next wave of talent.
Whilst Amiss basks in the moment, the Dockers' dangerous quartet of smalls in Michael Walters, Lachie Schultz, Michael Frederick, and Sam Switkowski are creating damage, not only on the scoreboard but with their pressure at ground level. Through the first half of the season, they have combined for 56 majors - well on track to surpass their combined 94 majors in 2022.
More than their scoreboard impact, it's the sheer tackling pressure and ability to play behind their defender which is making them a difficult proposition to defend. The Swans game saw numerous tackling pressure from Fremantle, denying Sydney clear access from defensive 50, evident by Switkowski's fantastic run-down tackle on Jake Lloyd - leading to him kicking the goal.
Schultz's ground-level work gave the Swans problems all game, booting an equal career-high four goals. The Dockers' handball game, which they first implemented against Brisbane a month ago, is starting to reap the rewards. They're moving the ball quickly around the ground, and in doing so are opening up easy hit-up targets in attacking 50.
Another example came during the third quarter against Geelong, when Bailey Banfield kept the ball in play on the boundary line near the wing, leading to a series of handballs from Amiss to the free-flowing Josh Treacy to Frederick, then to Walters to boot a goal from the line, typifying the Dockers' recent surge.
With the Dockers forwards firing on all cylinders, there is a marquee recruit who is showing why Fremantle were so keen to bring him back home to Western Australia in Luke Jackson. After a slow beginning, the 21-year-old is displaying all the stardom, not only in the ruck but up forward too.
In arguably his best game, Jackson destroyed Hawthorn on his way to racking up a career-high 24 disposals, booting two goals and laying seven tackles. Likewise, a week later against Sydney, Jackson kicked three majors in the side's first win at the SCG since 2011.
His role within becomes of extra importance, given number one ruckman Sean Darcy will be out for the coming weeks with a hamstring strain.
Fremantle's timing into a purple patch of form couldn't have come at a better period in their season. Fyfe is slowly integrating his way back into the 22 after starting three straight matches as the sub on his return from a foot injury. The backline is rock solid with Pearce, Brennan Cox, and Luke Ryan leading the way, and the midfield behind Brayshaw, Serong, and O'Meara is hurting the opposition.
With a minimal injury list, besides classy half-back Heath Chapman (hamstring), Darcy and Taberner, Fremantle are primed to make further inroads after the bye.
The Dockers should start favourites against Richmond, GWS, and Essendon following their Round 12 bye, with two of those three matches at Optus Stadium.
If they can prevail in all three, it sets the platform to solidify a top-eight position, considering there is a minimal margin for error.
