Fremantle has shown tremendous signs that they have improved from last year, but veteran WA sports journalist Digby Beacham believes they can still go to another level.
Despite a strong start to the season, Beacham, speaking on The Outer Wing podcast, said the reintroduction of injured pair Hayden Young and Michael Frederick will only elevate the club's flag potential, with the duo tipped to return form injuries next week.
"Hayden Young, he's a Rolls Royce. He's silk," Beacham said.
"He's a very efficient midfielder. You roll Hayden Young - a fit and available Hayden Young - through (the midfield), that is the cherry on top.
"The other one who has been lost in the wash is (Michael) Frederick. Top 10 in their best and fairest last year, he kicked 30 goals, he's electrifying. When he's up and going, he can push high, he can impact the scoreboard.
"So, they're two players who are most definitely in their best 18. If you can filter them back into that line-up, Fremantle become considerably stronger."
Beacham and Zero Hanger's Mark Stevens discussed the Dockers' 2026 flag prospects, saying they should be setting their sights on a double chance.
"They do (look like the real deal)," Beacham said.
"They were good against Adelaide. They won contested possession, uncontested possession. Their first 60 minutes was really powerful, and had they taken their opportunities early in that third quarter, they may have put that game to bed.
"Did they dodge a bullet? Perhaps. But when you go interstate, and the home side gets momentum, and Adelaide did do that, they hit the front, and Fremantle were able to find a way. All in all, pretty impressive performance."
Stevens believes the narrow victory over the Crows is an indication of a new Fremantle, being able to hold onto the win under immense pressure.
"I take a real positive out of it," he said.
"Because the Freo of old, Freo being Freo, would've just rolled over and lost that one. So, that's the good sign they got up. It's not the purple of old we know."
Beacham agreed with Stevens' sentiment.
"They had Geelong on the ropes and they weren't able to deliver that knock-out blow. Their form interstate over the last six-to-nine months I thinks been pretty good. They beat Collingwood at the MCG. They beat the Bulldogs late (last year) at Marvel. They were very competitive against Geelong and they've taken down Adelaide in Adelaide. They're building.
"I'm chips in. I think they're a top-four side all day. They're going to be awfully hard to beat at home because they're a powerful side.
"This is a Fremantle side trending in the right way."
Watch this episode of The Outer Wing on the Zero Hanger Facebook page or listen on the Zero Hanger Podcast feed wherever you get your podcasts.
