Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon suggested his team would face “significant changes” as they look to put games into their youth following a horrid start to season 2017.
The Dockers have been thrashed by Geelong and Port Adelaide in their first two games of the year, all but erasing any hope they had of being a finals contender.
Now they look certain to lean on fresh draftees and youngsters to pull them out of the hole.
So what does that mean for affiliate club Peel Thunder?
For starters, it means Peel is likely to benefit from a wealth of AFL experience with senior players facing the chopping block at the Dockers.
Michael Johnson (211 games), Zac Dawson (166), Danyle Pearce (250) and Nick Suban (156) could all find themselves in teal jerseys, not purple, in the near future.
And while their AFL form has been sub-par to start the year, history suggests Peel will be more than thankful to host the players.
Former Dockers midfielder and now Gold Coast Sun Michael Barlow was dropped from Fremantle’s side following their winless start to season 2016, and his two weeks at Peel were nothing short of stunning for the Thunder.
His round nine WAFL game against South Fremantle saw him tally 39 touches in a losing effort, before he single-handedly won Peel a game against East Perth in round 10 with 44 touches, three goals and 13 tackles.
Those are lofty standards to live up to, but it’s fair to assume players like Dawson, Johnson, Pearce and Suban would put up standout individual performances at the WAFL level, especially if they want to reclaim their spot in the Dockers’ line-up.
The negative effect for Peel lies in the loss of some potential future AFL stars.
Harley Balic has been outstanding to start the WAFL season, leading the league in disposals and being influential in all Peel games.
But it’s likely the 2015 draft choice will exit the Peel team sheet this week for a Fremantle berth.
Sam Collins has been a force down back for the Thunder and has arguably been more valuable to the team than Balic with his lock-down defending ability.
He is another one likely to make an appearance at the top level.
Of course, Peel would be compensated for the loss of these players with AFL veterans.
Whatever happens, the release of Ross Lyon’s round three team sheet is one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
