1 - FREO RETURN TO THE FINALS AND UPSET REIGNING PREMIERS

IT WAS CONFIRMED after Gold Coast had upset Carlton in round 22, and a day later Freo emphatically overtook North Melbourne into seventh spot with a big win at Etihad Stadium.
The club descended onto the MCG in the Elimination Final, ambushing reigning premiers Geelong with an irresistible performance to win by 16 points.
A week later, Freo took on Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in a Semi Final. While the 10-point defeat was disappointing, no one could question Freo’s effort or the excellent season the club has had in Ross Lyon first year as senior coach.
Hopefully, the return to September action this season signifies the beginning of? a sustained period of finals actions for the team in purple and its passionate fans.

2 - THE HUMAN GLOVE

CHRIS JUDD. Nick Dal Santo. Brett Deledio. Sam Mitchell. James Kelly. Patrick Dangerfield.
The list of star midfielders to fall victim to Freo tagger Ryan Crowley just went on and on in 2012 as he enjoyed the best season of his career. In his very first week at the club, Ross Lyon earmarked him for the tagging role. But to be able to run with the AFL’s elite, Crowley had to ?get fitter.
A super pre-season saw him shed the kilos and become a crucial component that the team could rely on to get the job done week after week.
“Getting from contest to contest, playing in the midfield, if you’re eight kilos lighter, it’s going to be easier” — Crowley on dropping the weight to play as a tagger.

3 - SONNY’S REDEMPTION

THERE WAS NO greater feel-good story in 2012 than that of Michael Walters.
Banished to his WAFL club Swan Districts in January for failing to meet the physical requirements of playing AFL, ‘Son-Son’ found his career at the crossroads. To quote Ross Lyon, after having ‘acted his way out of the club’ Walters realised how badly he wanted to be an AFL footballer, not just for himself, but for his young family.
He embarked on a journey of redemption that culminated in an inspiring return to the side in round 16. ‘Son-Son’ played a match-winning second half against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, with his leaping, fist- pump celebration signifying not only the return of Michael Walters, but a new beginning.
“The only thing that really?kept me in football was knowing that I had to support something that’s coming, something? special” — Walters on the birth of his baby daughter Layla during his stint at Swans.

4 - BREAKOUT SEASONS

FOR ANY CLUB to take the next step, it needs players to stand up and take their games to the next level. At the end of the 2012 season, three players in particular stand out in this category.
Matt de Boer was always courageous and tough, but this season he added a touch of class to his game that saw him go from ?a serviceable defensive forward into a midfield star.
Chris Mayne was another to develop immensely. He transformed from a hard working forward with goal kicking issues into one of the best set-shots in the business and the perfect foil to Matthew Pavlich.
The third, and perhaps most remarkable story, is that of Clancee Pearce. Delisted at the end of 2011, he refused to give up and a second chance via the rookie list saw him grow into a valued member of?the midfield.
“If they’re?going to give you?a tiny little bit to?keep your foot in the door,?just give it all you’ve got” — ?Clancee Pearce on his fight to become an AFL player.

5 - ALL AUSTRALIAN- WORTHY SEASONS

FREMANTLE GREATS Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin added to their ever-growing legacy at the club with seasons as good as any in their careers.
Fremantle could count on the pair ?with confidence to always get the job done, whether it was kicking the goals or stopping them.
Michael Johnson enjoyed the best season of his career since his brilliant 2006, after Ross Lyon released him to play the half-back role he is so good at. All three of these Freo stalwarts could be worthy of ?an All Australian jumper for the fine seasons they’ve given their club.
“With new coaches and a new structure, all I want to do is forget about the past and show the supporters and my family and friends and teammates that I’m still a good AFL player and I’ve got plenty of years to come” — Michael Johnson before a ball had been bounced in 2012.

6 - PREMIERS KNOCKED OFF IN ROUND 1

WITH A NEW COACH and game plan, Fremantle entered the unknown for the round 1 Starlight Purple Haze Game against reigning AFL Premiers Geelong.
From the very first bounce, there was no compromise from the team in purple as it stood up to and took every blow the Cats could deliver. In the end, it was a moment of pure ingenuity from Matthew Pavlich that secured an inspiring win.
The skipper soccer-volleyed a goal through from 25m out that left the Cats stunned and the Freo fans in jubilation.
“Ross’ message at half-time was to stay disciplined, stick to your roles and your structures and we can still get the points” — Matthew Pavlich after the game.

7 - FREO REGAINS CARLTON MID DERBY PRIDE

AFTER LOSING THE first Carlton Mid Derby of 2012 by 48 points, Freo fans could have been excused for thinking they would be waiting a while to get the better of the West Coast Eagles again.
They only had to wait 10 rounds because that is all it took for Ross Lyon’s men to turn the round 9 loss into a 65-point round 19 demolition of the Eagles.
None were better than Matthew Pavlich, who booted eight goals in the victory and took home the Ross Glendinning Medal.
“After the last derby we copped a lot of criticism which was warranted, there’s been some improvement along the way but we’ve got plenty to do” — Ross Lyon after the win.

8 - ‘HOODOOS’ QUASHED

THERE ARE TWO common, externally- generated, perceptions of the Fremantle Dockers that have floated about the AFL scene for quite some time.
One is that the side cannot win without Aaron Sandilands. The other is that the club struggles at the MCG.
While there were statistics to back these claims up in the past, the 2012 Fremantle Dockers, led by Ross Lyon, could not have cared less for external perceptions. In round 11, Freo showed utter disregard for suggestions of hoodoos by winning?at the MCG against Richmond after Sandilands had been subbed off injured in the opening minutes.
“To come to the MCG and win is something that we want to be able to do and we got it done” — Ross Lyon on the win at the ‘G’.

9 - HILLY SENDS THE SAINTS MARCHING

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL sight for? any Fremantle supporter is that of Stephen Hill with a football in his? hand, clear space in front of him and ?a trail of opponents left reeling in his wake.
While the significant attention? he receives doesn’t always make this scenario possible, the eyes of the AFL world had the privilege of witnessing ?it in full flight when Freo hit Etihad Stadium for a Friday night football?clash with Ross Lyon’s old side St Kilda in round 4.
Often Hill’s nemesis, star tagger Clinton Jones was reduced to? a spectator as the exciting Freo Docker went on daring raid after raid that scythed through the Saints' defences and helped Freo to a memorable victory.
“It’s something I’ve been working on, trying to wear them down with my run” — Hill on his effort to break the tags.

10 - TRAVEL NOT A FACTOR

AFTER STRUGGLING on the road in 2011, Fremantle, under Ross Lyon, set the record straight in 2012.
The seven away wins were the most in club history and included a first-ever win outside of Perth in a final after a stunning Elimination Final win over Geelong at the MCG.
Season 2012 also saw Freo claim memorable wins over St Kilda and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, and Richmond at the MCG.
The club will enter 2013 confident in its ability to win anywhere, anytime.