2015 Fremantle Football Club season

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Fremantle Football Club
2015 season
PresidentSteve Harris
CoachRoss Lyon
Captain(s)Matthew Pavlich
Home groundDomain Stadium (Capacity: 43,500)
AFL season1st (1st McClelland Trophy)
Finals series3rd
Best and FairestAaron Sandilands
Leading goalkickerMichael Walters (44 goals)
Highest home attendanceHome and away: 41,959
Finals: 41,508
Average home attendanceHome and away: 36209
Finals: 40,789
← 2014 2016 →
Main article: 2015 AFL season

The Fremantle Football Club's 2015 season is their 21st season in the Australian Football League (AFL). The club set a number of records during the year including winning their first McClelland Trophy for finishing first on the ladder after the completion of the home-and-away season and a club record of 17 wins during the home–and–away season.[1]

Playing list[edit]

Between the conclusion of the 2014 season and the commencement of the 2015 season, Fremantle did not complete any trades nor recruit any free agents in the AFL trade period, despite being reported to have attempted to recruit key position players James Frawley[2] and Aaron Black.[3]

Key defender Luke McPharlin signed a one-year contract extension during the trade period.[4]

Recruits and departures[edit]

At the national draft, Fremantle was expected to recruit a tall player, but instead drafted four smaller midfield or forward line players. Two of the drafted players, Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon are younger brothers of current AFL players, St Kilda's Maverick Weller and Collingwood's Tom Langdon.[5] In the rookie draft, Fremantle selected Ethan Hughes, a half-back flanker originally from Bunbury, before redrafting Tanner Smith. With their final selection they selected Irishman Sean Hurley, the club's first ever international recruit.[6]

Recruits Departures
Player Previous Club League Recruited via Player Reason
Lachie Weller Southport/Broadbeach NEAFL #13, National draft Kepler Bradley[7] Retirement from AFL
Connor Blakely Swan Districts WAFL #34, National draft Scott Gumbleton[8] Retirement from AFL
Ed Langdon Sandringham Dragons WAFL #54, National draft Josh Simpson[9] Delisted
Josh Deluca Subiaco WAFL #68, National draft Sam Menegola[10] Delisted (from rookie list)
Ethan Hughes Swan Districts WAFL #13, Rookie draft Michael Wood[10] Delisted (from rookie list)
Tanner Smith Fremantle AFL #31, Rookie draft (redrafted) Tanner Smith[11] Delisted (redrafted in the rookie draft)
Sean Hurley Kildare GAA GAA #48, Rookie draft

Ryan Crowley positive drugs test[edit]

In March 2015, Crowley was not chosen to play in any of Fremantle's pre-season games. After being left out of the team that would travel to Sydney for the second game, it was announced that he was unavailable for selection due to undisclosed personal issues.[12] Three days later it was revealed that Crowley had tested position to a banned substance during the 2014 AFL season and had been serving a provisional suspension since September 2014. The sample was taken after Fremantle's Round 17 win over Greater Western Sydney and the commencement of the provisional suspension commenced after the confirmation tests (also known as B-sample) was completed in mid September. The banned substance has not been named, but was confirmed to have come from a painkiller that was not prescribed by the club doctor. He appeared before the AFL Tribunal in May 2015, and was found guilty and suspended for twelve months, backdated to the beginning of his provisional suspension. He became eligible to play again on 25 September 2015.[13]

Full squad[edit]

Fremantle Football Club
Senior list Rookie list Staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)
  • Upgraded rookie during season
  • (ret) Retired during season
  • (B) B-class rookie

Updated: 3 December 2014
Source(s): Playing list,
Coaching staff, Full coaching staff


Season summary[edit]

Pre-season matches[edit]

Rd Day Date Local time Opponent Fremantle's
score 		Opponent's
score 		Margin Venue Attendance Match report
1 Thursday 5 March 2015 4:10 pm Melbourne 0.9.7 (61) 0.6.7 (43) +18 Fremantle Oval 8000 (approx) Report
2 Sunday 15 March 2015 4:10 pm Sydney 1.6.11 (56) 1.7.14 (65) -9 Drummoyne Oval, Sydney 4,343 Report
3 Sunday 22 March 2015 4:10 pm West Coast 1.13.17 (104) 1.11.10 (85) +19 Domain Stadium 16,032 Report
Source

Premiership Season[edit]

When the 2015 AFL season fixtures were released in October 2014, Fremantle were drawn to play Port Adelaide in the opening round, a repeat of the semi-final that ended their 2014 season. The opening month was considered very difficult, with an away game against Geelong, an away Western Derby and a home game on Anzac Day against the other team that beat Fremantle in last year's finals, Sydney. Fremantle's game against Hawthorn was again to be played at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania.[14]

Home and away season[edit]

Rd Day Date Local time Opponent Fremantle's
score 		Opponent's
score 		Margin Venue Attendance Ladder
position
1 Sunday 5 April 2015 5:40 pm Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) 10.8 (68) +7[15] Domain Stadium 34,099 9
2 Sunday 12 April 2015 1:10 pm Geelong 15.14 (104) 9.6 (60) +44[16] Simonds Stadium 23,723 4
3 Sunday 19 April 2015 2:40 pm West Coast 17.9 (111) 12.9 (81) +30[17] Domain Stadium (A) 39,138 3
4 Saturday 25 April 2015 6:40 pm Sydney 11.8 (74) 8.12 (60) +14[18] Domain Stadium 39,009 1
5 Sunday 3 May 2015 1:10 pm Melbourne 18.10 (118) 6.14 (50) +68[19] MCG 22,892 1
6 Saturday 9 May 2015 6:10 pm Essendon 12.8 (80) 7.10 (52) +28[20] Domain Stadium 37,535 1
7 Sunday 17 May 2015 1:10 pm Western Bulldogs 15.11 (101) 14.4 (88) +13[21] Etihad Stadium 18,710 1
8 Saturday 23 May 2015 5:40 pm North Melbourne 17.13 (115) 5.12 (42) +73[22] Domain Stadium 35,836 1
9 Saturday 30 May 2015 7:10 pm Adelaide 10.8 (68) 7.15 (57) +11[23] Adelaide Oval 45,518 1
10 Friday 5 June 2015 6:10 pm Richmond 10.10 (70) 15.7 (97) -27[24] Domain Stadium 38,019 1
11 Saturday 13 June 2015 1:40 pm Gold Coast 6.17 (53) 7.4 (46) +7[25] Metricon Stadium 8,911 1
12 Bye
13 Thursday 25 June 2015 6:10 pm Collingwood 12.8 (80) 1.7 (73) +7[26] Domain Stadium 37,145 1
14 Sunday 5 July 2015 2:40 pm Brisbane Lions 13.6 (84) 7.6 (48) +46[27] Domain Stadium 32,970 1
15 Sunday 12 July 2015 3:20 pm Hawthorn 6.7 (43) 17.13 (115) -72[28] Aurora Stadium 16,792 1
16 Saturday 18 July 2015 5:40 pm Carlton 13.17 (95) 8.5 (53) +42[29] Domain Stadium 33,581 1
17 Saturday 25 July 2015 4:35 pm Richmond 12.10 (82) 10.18 (78) +4[30] MCG 39,777 1
18 Sunday 2 August 2015 2:40 pm Greater Western Sydney 12.12 (84) 9.9 (63) +21[31] Domain Stadium 34,626 1
19 Sunday 9 August 2015 4:40 pm St Kilda 15.6 (96) 8.11 (59) +37[32] Etihad Stadium 16,419 1
20 Sunday 16 August 2015 2:40 pm West Coast 11.14 (80) 15.14 (104) -24[33] Domain Stadium 41,959 1
21 Sunday 23 August 2015 1:10 pm North Melbourne 12.11 (83) 14.10 (94) -11[34] Etihad Stadium 23,857 1
22 Sunday 30 August 2015 2:40 pm Melbourne 17.6 (108) 8.6 (54) +54[35] Domain Stadium 33,529 1
23 Saturday 5 September 2015 3:20 pm Port Adelaide 8.5 (53) 18.14 (122) -69[36] Adelaide Oval 38,633 1
All games at Domain Stadium are Fremantle home games except for the one game marked (A). That game, and all others, are away games. Source

Finals[edit]

Rd Day Date Local time Opponent Fremantle's
score 		Opponent's
score 		Margin Venue Attendance
Qualifying final Saturday 12 September 2015 1:20 pm Sydney 10.9 (69) 7.18 (60) +9[37] Domain Stadium 40,071
Preliminary final Friday 25 September 2015 6:20pm Hawthorn 10.7 (67) 15.4 (94) -27[38] Domain Stadium 41,508

Ladder[edit]

2015 AFL ladder
Pos Team
 Pld W L D PF PA PP Pts
1 Fremantle 22 17 5 0 1857 1564 118.7 68 Finals series
2 West Coast 22 16 5 1 2330 1572 148.2 66
3 Hawthorn (P) 22 16 6 0 2452 1548 158.4 64
4 Sydney 22 16 6 0 2006 1578 127.1 64
5 Richmond 22 15 7 0 1930 1568 123.1 60
6 Western Bulldogs 22 14 8 0 2101 1825 115.1 56
7 Adelaide 21 13 8 0 2107 1821 115.7 54[a]
8 North Melbourne 22 13 9 0 2062 1937 106.5 52
9 Port Adelaide 22 12 10 0 2002 1874 106.8 48
10 Geelong 21 11 9 1 1853 1833 101.1 48[a]
11 Greater Western Sydney 22 11 11 0 1872 1891 99.0 44
12 Collingwood 22 10 12 0 1972 1856 106.3 40
13 Melbourne 22 7 15 0 1573 2044 77.0 28
14 St Kilda 22 6 15 1 1695 2162 78.4 26
15 Essendon 22 6 16 0 1580 2134 74.0 24
16 Gold Coast 22 4 17 1 1633 2240 72.9 18
17 Brisbane Lions 22 4 18 0 1557 2306 67.5 16
18 Carlton 22 4 18 0 1525 2354 64.8 16
Source: [39]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.
(P) Premiers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b The round 14 match between Adelaide and Geelong was cancelled due to the death of Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, and both teams were awarded two premiership points each.

Awards, Records & Milestones[edit]

Awards[edit]

Milestones[edit]

Player Round Milestone
Cameron Sutcliffe 3 50th game[40]
Michael Walters 3 100th goal[40]
Lachie Neale 4 50th game[41]
Nat Fyfe 8 100th game[42]
Matthew Pavlich 9 650th goal[43]
Michael Johnson 10 200th game[44]
Michael Barlow 11 100th game[45]
Luke McPharlin 17 250th AFL game[46]
Stephen Hill QF 150th game[47]
Garrick Ibbotson QF 150th game[47]

Debuts[edit]

Player Round Opponent Ground Result
Alex Pearce 6 Essendon Domain Stadium +28
Lachie Weller 18 Greater Western Sydney Domain Stadium +21
Ed Langdon 22 Melbourne Domain Stadium +54
Connor Blakely 23 Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval -69
Brady Grey 23 Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval -69
Ethan Hughes 23 Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval -69
Jacob Ballard 23 Port Adelaide Adelaide Oval -69

Match Review Panel charges[edit]

Updated as of Round 21, 2015 season
Match Review Panel (MRP) and AFL Tribunal cases involving Fremantle players during the 2015 AFL season
Round Player Charge category Victim (club) Verdict Fine (A$) Suspension Source
Sanction
NC3
 Michael Walters rough conduct Craig Bird (Sydney) Dismissed — — [48]
1
 Zac Clarke tripping Jared Polec (Port Adelaide) Guilty (early plea) $1,000 — [49]
2
 Hayden Ballantyne rough conduct Harry Taylor (Geelong) Guilty (early plea) — 2 matches [50]
4
 Matt de Boer striking Harry Cunningham (Sydney) Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [51]
7
 Nat Fyfe tripping Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs) Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [52]
10
 Michael Walters engaging in a melee Richmond Guilty (early plea) $1500 — [53]
10
 Danyle Pearce engaging in a melee Richmond Guilty (early plea) $1500 — [53]
10
 Nick Suban engaging in a melee Richmond Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [53]
11
 Matthew Pavlich striking Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast) Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [54]
14
 Hayden Ballantyne wrestling Darcy Gardiner (Brisbane Lions) Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [55]
15
 Nat Fyfe rough conduct Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn) Guilty (early plea) $1500 — [56]
16
 Hayden Ballantyne wrestling Dylan Buckley (Carlton) Guilty (early plea) $1500 — [57]
18
 Zac Dawson striking Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney) Guilty (early plea) — 2 weeks [58]
18
 David Mundy engaging in a melee Greater Western Sydney Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [58]
18
 Zac Dawson engaging in a melee Greater Western Sydney Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [58]
20
 Alex Silvagni striking Jamie Cripps (West Coast) Guilty (early plea) — 4 weeks [59]
21
 David Mundy striking Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [60]
21
 Nat Fyfe forceful contact from front-on Ben Jacobs (North Melbourne) Dismissed — — [60]
22
 Nick Suban wrestling Jack Viney (Melbourne) Guilty (early plea) $1000 — [61]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fremantle - Season Summary".
  2. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (17 October 2014). "Dockers back list to push for flag". The West Australian.
  3. ^ Hagdorn, Kim (4 October 2014). "Fremantle Dockers keep North Melbourne forward Aaron Black in trading sights". Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Luke McPharlin signs one-year contract to continue career at Fremantle in 2015". AAP. 14 October 2014.
  5. ^ Quartermaine, Braden (27 November 2014). "Fremantle Dockers spring draft surprise by taking Lachie Weller, while West Coast Eagles snare Liam Duggan". PerthNow. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  6. ^ "AFL Rookie Draft summary". 3 December 2014.
  7. ^ Kastanis, Costa. "Kepler to bow out". Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  8. ^ Kastanis, Costa. "Gumbleton gives the game away". Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  9. ^ Robinson, Chris (21 October 2014). "Fremantle Dockers axe troubled youngster Josh Simpson after two seasons at the club". Perth Now. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  10. ^ a b Conway, Mark. "Fremantle cuts two rookies from its list". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  11. ^ Lewis, Ross (13 November 2014). "Tanner gets Freo lifeline".
  12. ^ Elborough, Brad (13 March 2015). "Fremantle Dockers star Ryan Crowley not playing due to 'issues'".
  13. ^ Samantha Lane (11 June 2015). "Ryan Crowley gets 12-month suspension from AFL anti-doping tribunal". The Age. Melbourne, VIC. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  14. ^ Hagdorn, Kim; Robinson, Chris (30 October 2014). "What the 2015 AFL fixture means for Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles". Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  15. ^ Malcolm, Alex (5 April 2015). "Dockers prevail over Power in epic battle".[dead link]
  16. ^ Ryan, Peter (12 April 2015). "Cats creamed as Dockers dominate". Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  17. ^ Chadwick, Justin (19 April 2015). "First-quarter blitz powers Dockers to comfortable Derby win". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  18. ^ Malcolm, Alex (25 April 2015). "Dockers cling on for historic win as surging Swans fall just short". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  19. ^ Ryan, Peter (3 May 2015). "Dockers hurt, but still dump Demons". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  20. ^ Malcolm, Alex (9 May 2015). "Dockers stay perfect with comfortable win over Dons". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  21. ^ Phelan, Jennifer (17 May 2015). "Freo's seventh heaven, but after Dogs deliver huge scare". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  22. ^ Malcolm, Alex (23 May 2015). "Fremantle makes it eight straight with big win over Kangaroos". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  23. ^ Wilson, Tom (30 May 2015). "Dockers edge Crows in tough slog to stay perfect".
  24. ^ Malcolm, Alex (5 June 2015). "Brilliant Tigers ruin Freo's perfect start". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  25. ^ Rugari, Vince (13 June 2015). "Dockers hang on to down spirited Suns in a thriller". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  26. ^ Malcolm, Alex (25 June 2015). "Fremantle holds off persistent Pies in Perth". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  27. ^ Malcolm, Alex (5 July 2015). "Dockers prevail in tough slog over brave Lions". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  28. ^ Phelan, Jason (12 July 2015). "Freo slumps to biggest loss under Lyon as Hawks stamp flag credentials". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  29. ^ Malcolm, Alex (5 July 2015). "Shaky Dockers get the points against plucky Blues". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  30. ^ King, Travis (25 July 2015). "Dockers snatch thrilling win from wayward Tigers". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  31. ^ Chadwick, Justin (3 August 2015). "Dockers firm for top spot after win over dogged Giants". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  32. ^ McKay, Ben (9 August 2015). "Dockers a step closer to sealing top spot after belting Saints". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  33. ^ Chadwick, Justin (16 August 2015). "Top-two Eagles run over Dockers for Derby joy". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  34. ^ Phelan, Jason (23 August 2015). "Kangaroos bounce the Dockers to tighten grip on finals berth". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  35. ^ Malcolm, Alex (30 August 2015). "Dockers seal top spot with easy win over Dees". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
  36. ^ Thring, Harry (5 September 2015). "Port's season ends on a high as Freo takes it easy before finals".[dead link]
  37. ^ Malcolm, Alex (12 September 2015). "Dockers down brave Swans to book home prelim". Archived from the original on 7 September 2015.
  38. ^ Phelan, Jennifer (25 September 2015). "Hot Hawks eye off three-peat as error-prone Dockers rue mistakes". Archived from the original on 21 September 2015.
  39. ^ "2015 AFL Ladder". Zero Hanger. 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  40. ^ a b "West Coast vs Fremantle, Round 3, 2015". 19 April 2015.
  41. ^ Dobson, John (24 April 2015). "Fifty games for Freo dynamo".
  42. ^ Thomas, Clint (21 May 2015). "Nathan Fyfe to play 100th game for Fremantle Dockers, on the path to greatness".
  43. ^ "Adelaide vs Fremantle, Round 9, 2015". 30 May 2015.
  44. ^ Cowan, Sean (5 June 2015). "Johnson out in game 200 after suffering hamstring injury".
  45. ^ O'Donoghue, Craig (10 June 2015). "Barlow sure Dockers have hunger to burn".
  46. ^ Duffield, Mark (9 July 2015). "McPharlin's long road to success".
  47. ^ a b Duffield, Mark (8 September 2015). "Swans still a threat: All-Aus Ibbotson".
  48. ^ "MRP full statement: NAB Challenge, week three". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  49. ^ "MRP full statement: round one, part one". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  50. ^ "MRP full statement: round two". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  51. ^ "MRP full statement: round four". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 27 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  52. ^ "MRP full statement: round seven". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  53. ^ a b c "MRP full statement: round 10". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  54. ^ "MRP full statement: round 11". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  55. ^ "Full Match Review Panel statement: round 14". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  56. ^ "Match Review Panel full statement: round 15". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  57. ^ "Match Review Panel full statement: round 16". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  58. ^ a b c "Match Review Panel full statement: round 18". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  59. ^ "Match Review Panel full statement: round 20". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  60. ^ a b "Match Review Panel full statement: round 21". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  61. ^ "Full Match Review Panel statement: round 22". afl.com.au. Australian Football League. 31 August 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
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