Dependable Dockers defender Jordan Clark was named in the initial 44-man squad for last year's All-Australian squad, but missed out when the final side was announced.
It was acknowledged by some as a 'snub'; however, his form this year has placed him in the box seat to secure a blazer this time around. Not that it matters to him.
Clark is defiant in his assertion that everything he does is for the team, going as far as to say there are other members of his high-flying side that deserve recognition in his stead.
“(Receiving a blazer is) not something I've set out to do. Whatever I do, I want to do to the best of my ability. There are other boys who are more deserving of it," said Clark.
“I don't really read into my individual performances that much. I'm just a product of the team. I have taken confidence out of my consistency, and playing in a backline group that prides itself on performing when under the pump has really helped me.
"I'm a product of the boys around me, and I've really enjoyed the way the backline has played this year; the group's one I'm privileged to be a part of."
No team in the AFL has won more games since Round 10 than Fremantle, with 10 wins from 11 games in that span.
Their most recent outing saw them register a come-from-behind victory over a flailing Blues outfit. The slow start the Dockers dished up in front of their home faithful has been addressed in the days since, Clark says.
“We reviewed it. We need to jump into games a little bit better. We lost predictability to each other out on the oval. Once we straightened up our contest and gave our forwards a chance, the game looked the way we wanted it to," said Clark.
“Winning is always a good place to be. We haven't been perfect, but we're finding ways to win, and being on the right side of the ledger is always positive. We know we've got a little bit of work left in front of us to improve our game and add some finishing touches. By no means are we the finished product.”
Favourite son, and dual Brownlow Medallist, Nat Fyfe is nearing a return to the senior side, and Clark is buoyed by the veteran's impending impact, although he's not envious of the selection committee.
“He (Fyfe) brings a great presence around the ground. He's pretty much seen it all. He brings a wealth of knowledge in every single scenario.
“That's experience that we don't have out there at the moment. Just having that cool head around the boys in the midfield. He offers a different lens: more mature, more experience. I'm pretty keen to see him back out there, but how that looks in the coming weeks? I'm not sure," said Clark.
Another seemingly imminent return is that of Clark's backline comrade and skipper, in Alex Pearce, while important midfielder Hayden Young appears set for another injury-enforced absence.
When asked if Pearce would be back this week, Clark said: "I hope so. I love playing with 'Moose'."
Concern initially surrounded the viability of Young's 2025 prospects, but Clark did his best to allay such fears.
“He seems in good spirits, and it won't be too long till he's back out there. He's normal ‘Youngy'. He'll get after it,” he said.
With players going in and out, and Fremantle in hot pursuit of a first premiership flag, spots in the side are at a premium, with Clark both excited by the selection squeeze and full of praise for the manner in which his coaches are handling it.
“Once you're in, it's harder to get out, the way the boys are playing at the moment," he said. "It's a good problem to have. It's pretty cliche, but you'd rather be in this position than not... I think that's healthy. There's still some great depth at Peel, and some lads who undeservedly miss out.”
"The coaches do a great job. They are very transparent with their feedback, what they require, and what they want to see from the lads in their roles. There's not a player on the list that doesn't know what their role requires of them, no matter what level you play, reserves or AFL. Everyone has a true understanding of where they're at.”
Fremantle face a Port Adelaide side sure to be smarting after recent heavy defeats, and Clark expects them to be a dangerous opposition given the impending departures of some club favourites.
“I think their best is still very good," he said. "There's a bit of emotion around them at the moment. Ken's finishing up, and Boaky's announced his retirement.
"We expect their best. They've got some really good players in there, and at Adelaide Oval, it's always tough. We won't be taking anything lightly or for granted, that's for sure.”
Missing finals altogether, and a top-four berth, are both within the realms of possibility for the Dockers this season, but their double chance prospects could do with a percentage boost against the eight-win Power come Saturday.
