There’s an old saying: Pressure can make diamonds or turn you into dust.
It’s safe to say the expectation placed on Fremantle this season has left nothing glistening down at Cockburn.
Nor is there going to be any new shiny silverware sitting in their trophy cabinet.
But the past two weeks have shown the Dockers can match it with the best.
They’ve beaten Geelong at the Cattery and fell just three-points short to third-placed Brisbane.
Unfortunately, it’s all just a little too late.
It’s hard not to wonder whether this Fremantle side, with so much promise, has wasted this season.
They’ve gone from 5th to 15th in a year. They threw away winnable games after the mid-season bye and played themselves out of finals contention. Not to mention their poor first quarters.
While Freo might not have achieved their desired outcome for 2023, there are still lessons to take away.
Recruit Luke Jackson has settled in and showed he’s worth the hefty price tag. Last weekend against the Lions, he had 44 hitouts, 24 touches, five clearances, six tackles and a goal.
Developing forward Jye Amiss has proven he’s the man to take the Dockers forward in attack.
The 20-year-old is Fremantle’s leading goalkicker, booting 34 so far this season.
That’s four more than Michael Walters, seven more than Lachie Shultz and 11 more than Michael Frederick.
Defender Hayden Young is another silver lining. The 22-year-old has taken his game to another level.
His composure and ball use is elite, and over the past couple of weeks he’s shown he can go into the midfield and match it with the best in the competition.
So, while this season might have been a flop, I believe the “dust” created from this year’s pressure bubble, has laid the foundations for the future.
Lions star Lachie Neale said the Dockers are the best 15th placed team he’s ever played against.
The signs are all pointing up and this Dockers side isn’t going away.
Hang on Freo fans. Success is just around the corner.