Throughout Fremantle’s 2012 season, there have been a number of x-factor performances, whether over the course of an entire match or a single moment that turned the tide of a game.
It began all the way back in round 1 against Geelong in the Starlight Purple Haze Game at Patersons Stadium with Nat Fyfe’s incredible goal from the boundary line on his wrong foot.
Later in that game, there was no act more important than that of unheralded backman Zac Dawson’s decision to leave his man and contest a loose ball with Cat Matthew Stokes.
The bone-jarring hit Dawson put on Stokes not only left the Geelong player in a world of pain, but it prevented a near-certain Cats goal that probably would have resulted a very different outcome to the four-point win Freo enjoyed on the night.
Who could forget Stephen Hill’s surgical incision performed against St Kilda on the Friday night football stage at Etihad Stadium in round 4?
‘Hilly’ grabbed his scalpel and sliced his way through numerous opponents time and time again in the second half to help Freo record a huge away win over Ross Lyon’s old side.
Then there were the efforts of Matt de Boer and Jon Griffin in round 11’s win over Richmond on a rain-sodden MCG.
Playing as a permanent midfielder, de Boer laid tackle after tackle to pressure the Tigers into a number of turnovers.
Griffin defied the conditions and his 201cm frame to kick a goal Peter Daicos might have given a pass mark to.
And what about the inspirational return to action from Michael Walters in round 16 against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Banished to his WAFL side for not being fit enough for AFL football in January, ‘Son Son’ showed the football world he fit right in with a sublime display of skill and smarts.
David Mundy’s return to form was an x-factor in itself.
The 2010 Doig Medallist struggled in the first half of the season, but come the end of it, there was no midfielder playing better than him at Freo, or possibly even in the AFL.
His performance against North Mebourne in round 22 at Etihad Stadium was a master-class.
There were also the comeback kids - Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands.
Missing since round 5 because of shoulder surgery, Fyfe stepped right up to the plate in round 18 against Port at AAMI Stadium and proceeded to gather 26 disposals and three Brownlow Medal votes.
Sandilands’ return came unexpectedly in round 21 against Richmond at Patersons Stadium after Jon Griffin had hurt himself in the warm-up.
On the comeback trail since round 11 because of a toe injury, Sandilands pulled on the jumper at the last minute and had 18 disposals and 33 hitouts in a typically Herculean performance from the champion ruckman.
Adam McPhee was another member of Freo’s uncompromising defence who did his job every week without much fanfare.
But in the Elimination Final win against the reigning premiers at the MCG, no one missed the 11 marks he took in the heart of defence, often from the boot of a Geelong player.
It’s performances like the ones mentioned above that make a club’s season. They are the x-factors that Fremantle will call upon again in 2013 to catapult the club back into the finals.
For now, enjoy watching some of the best highlights from the boys in purple in 2012.
