You would have got long odds at the start of the season if you thought a resurgent Freo would be higher on the ladder than the Lions, prior to their round seven clash.
But that’s where we find ourselves after the boys from the west thrust themselves into top-four contention with a 5-1 start to 2010.
While Fremantle is the talk of the league with its pace, work-rate and all-round excitement, the Lions have some questions to answer.
The midfield has been under the hammer the past couple of weeks and now the Lions’ back six is in need of some patching together.
Daniel Merrett has a hamstring problem and Lions fans will be sweating on Matt Maguire’s tribunal hearing on Wednesday night.
Justin Sherman’s likely return from injury is a godsend for the Lions, who have been exposed for pace once or twice this season.
Forward scout: Fremantle
2010 to date
While Melbourne and the Sydney Swans have turned some heads this season, there is no doubt the major surprise packet to date is Fremantle. After sitting in the doldrums for three years, the club has vaulted to 5-1 and appears a genuine finals hope.
A first-up thumping of Adelaide gave a slight indication of what was to come, as did a subsequent hammering of Essendon in Melbourne. But Fremantle earned itself real credibility with a win over reigning premier Geelong and a narrow loss to grand finalist St Kilda in successive weeks.
The coach
Since taking over from Chris Connolly during the 2007 season, Mark Harvey has been a man with a target on his back. The former Essendon legend inherited a team that was falling apart after its 2006 preliminary final appearance.
The past two seasons of struggle have resulted in constant speculation about his job, but through it all, Harvey has remained composed and stuck to his plan of developing youth. His single-minded focus is now paying dividends as Freo produces a brand of football indicative of the way its coach played.
The gun
He is often the first man people point the finger at when Fremantle struggle, but Matthew Pavlich has a playing record the envy of many.
The 28-year-old has been an All-Australian six times and it’s not hard to see why. He can literally play anywhere on the field, having won All-Australian selection as both a full back and a full forward. Pavlich has a big frame but has deft enough skills to play midfield.
However, with the youngsters developing in the middle, Pavlich has returned to the forward line this year and would be an ideal assignment for Daniel Merrett if fit. If not, Joel Patfull could get the nod but would be a tough match-up strength wise. The availability of Maguire will dictate who gets the assignment.
The sleeper
It’s hard to ignore the seven-foot, 120kg-plus frame of Aaron Sandilands. He is the reigning Fremantle club champion, a two-time All Australian and a dominant force in the League. He dominates the hit-outs (almost 40 per contest) but is also a presence around the ground. Arguably Matthew Leuenberger’s biggest test of the season.
The bolter
Michael Barlow has been one of the revelations of the entire competition this season. Picked up as a mature age rookie, the 22-year-old has been a sensation through the first six weeks. He’s a strong bodied midfielder who is a tricky match-up with his 189cm frame. Barlow finds the ball at will, racking up 33 touches in round one against Adelaide, 34 the next week against Essendon and is averaging 30 overall. Not likely to be tagged, but Barlow is a man to keep an eye on.
Strengths
Fremantle has shown plenty this season, but perhaps its greatest strength is its work rate. Every line in the Freo outfit is committed to relentless running and keeping the ball in its area. They also move the ball quickly by hand and foot, and as the Demons showed two weeks ago, this is an area that has troubled the Lions.
Weaknesses
With five wins and a narrow loss to St Kilda to start their season, Fremantle has not shown too many weaknesses yet. The club's poor skills from previous seasons appear to have been left behind.
While Fremantle's midfielders have shown an ability to kick goals, keeping Pavlich quiet will take the Lions a long way towards winning. After his 24 goals this season, Hayden Ballantyne is next best with 10, followed by the injured Des Headland with seven.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
