In round 17 last year, an underdog Fremantle side pushed Patrick Dangerfield’s Geelong to the limit at Domain Stadium - eventually falling by 17 points after leading a half-time.
Geelong return to Domain this Sunday, but the Cats will face a considerably different Fremantle side.
Included in Fremantle’s 22 for Sunday are nine players who did not appear in round 17 last year.
Chief of those is Fremantle’s new captain, Nat Fyfe.
So highly does Champion Data rate Fyfe that the 2017 AFL Prospectus, the league’s official stats provider, noted that Fremantle were on average two goals worse off without the 2015 Brownlow Medallist in the side.
Over the course of the 17 games he missed, Champion Data said Fyfe’s injury cost Fremantle just under 200 points for the 2016 season – the most costliest injury in the AFL that year.
Another player returning since Fremantle last faced Geelong is Aaron Sandilands, worth eight points per game over an equivalent replacement, according to Champion Data.
While football is obviously played on grass and not on a spreadsheet, Champion Data’s numbers suggest that Fremantle could have pulled back that 17-point deficit with Fyfe and Sandilands back in the side.
But the list of returning players and new faces doesn’t stop there.
Another major boost comes in defence, with the vital return of Michael Johnson, after the veteran defender missed 17 games in 2016.
Freo youngster Ed Langdon also missed the Geelong game with a hamstring injury, while emerging winger Darcy Tucker has broken back into the squad after showing impressive form late last season.
Then, there’s the matter of Freo’s new faces from the 2016 NAB AFL Trade Period.
Forward Shane Kersten switches teams after coming to Fremantle from Geelong.
Former Giant Cam McCarthy, who kicked six goals against Carlton in Fremantle’s final JLT Community Series game, is another threat in the forward line.
Fremantle also bring in premiership experience, via Hawk Bradley Hill and Bulldogs premiership player Joel Hamling.
While Fremantle start round one with a stronger 22 on paper than from 2016, the AFL Prospectus has noted Fremo’s recruiting strategy of targeting youth in the off-season.
According to Champion Data, Fremantle had 11 players between 21-24 years of age on their list in 2016, the third fewest in the AFL.
In 2017, Fremantle has 18 players in that age bracket, the equal most in the AFL.
It might be a season of change for the club, as there is a lot that is different – and also a lot to like - about what Fremantle is bringing to the table in 2017.
Tickets are still available for Sunday's match through ticketmaster.com.au or by calling 1300 135 915.
