There are plenty of talking points after Round 23 of the AFL season, one of the biggest being that Fremantle wrapped up the minor premiership and went undefeated at Optus Stadium throughout the home and away season. With that in mind, they should win both of their home finals this year, right?
Let's get to this week's overreactions column, where we judge the biggest takeaways as legitimate or irrational.
Freo's season is a fail if they don't reach the Grand Final
Fremantle officially locked away the minor premiership after topping the Crows on Friday night, meaning no matter what happens in Round 24, top spot is theirs and so to is a qualifying final. With an unbeaten home record, two home finals ahead of them, a healthy list, and arguably the most complete team in the league, the Dockers enter September with the clearest of premiership paths -- and expectations.
Verdict: Not an overreaction
This feels fair. Not because anything less than a Grand Final appearance would somehow erase what has been an outstanding season, but because of just how dominant Fremantle have been, and the opportunity now sitting in front of them.
The Dockers have weapons everywhere. Joash Treacy, Jye Amiss, and Patrick Voss form a three-headed monster up forward, combining for 148 goals, with Shai Bolton and Isaiah Dudley providing the ground-level class, and Michael Frederick and Sam Switkowski the pressure.
Their midfield is elite, led by Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, and Hayden Young, while Luke Jackson is arguably the most influential ruckman in the game.
Then there's Alex Pearce, anchoring a defence that has been as reliable as any in the competition. It all adds up to a pretty bulletproof profile. And crucially, Fremantle have won every single game at home this season. Finish first, win a home qualifying final, host a prelim. For a non-Victorian team, that is an enormous advantage.
Of course, this isn't a foregone conclusion. Under Justin Longmuir, Fremantle have gone 1-2 in September, the sole win in an elimination final over the Bulldogs four years ago, and last year's loss to the Suns proving how difficult it can be to handle pressure as a young group. Finals are just a different beast, and ultimately they will have to win a Grand Final on the MCG, where they lost to the Demons just two weeks ago.
Finishing first doesn't guarantee anything. In fact, most minor premiers don't go on to win the flag. Adelaide showed us last year that even the team on top can bow out in straight sets. And there are still plenty of legitimate contenders. Sydney could be just as formidable with home finals from second, Brisbane are the reigning back-to-back premiers, and Hawthorn or Geelong could pose a serious threat if the Dockers have to face either of them at the home of footy.
But that's exactly why Freo need to make this season count.
This is a young group that should contend for years to come, and missing a Grand Final wouldn't make 2026 a wasted season at all. But when you've been this good, finished first, been unbeaten at home, and earned the best possible finals pathway, anything less than at least making the Grand Final has to be considered a disappointment because of what could've been.
Good on them, they've earned these expectations.
-- Jarryd Barca
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