That's right punters anyone and everyone Fremantle Dockers are getting into or back into the dog game. The dockerland Racing Syndicate kicked off earlier this year. Thirty dockerlanders threw in their hard earned and, through the expertise of the one and only Dazzler Dan Biddle we made the purchase of two very slick and well performed chasers known as Sheriff Austin and Showground Larry.

After a few hit outs it wasn't long before we saw success. Running some minor placings in Brisbane, dockerland's star performer Sheriff Austin flew to Perth and straight into the care of not only the state's leading but the worlds greatest trainers Linda Britton and Chris "The incredible" Halse to begin his WA career. His 2nd start in the West saw the Sheriff bring up his winning debut. We thought we'd reached the pinnacle. We thought that this dog game doesn't and couldn't get any better. How wrong we were because just two starts later the Sheriff performed the unbelievable. In a race the Sheriff did what we didn't believe possible. On the first bend he got in more trouble than a West Coast Eagle in a nightclub. Betting tickets were being torn up and thrown away like Racing Radio's Peter O'Neill did to his Eagle flag at three quarter time against the Swans two weeks back. Then somehow the Sheriff picked himself up and set off after the leaders who had officially a thousand lengths on him. It was like the infamous demolition derby. Sheriff was knocked around from pillar to post yet took the hits and just get coming. When it appeared he was going to fall short, there were no umpires to miss a tripping offense or botch up a reversed free kick and hand him the win, he had to pull out a couple of giant strides. In typical Fremantle style he did just that and got up by a nose. The syndicate went nuts. It was like Justin Longmuir kicking the goal against the Saints after the siren.

dockerland's other superstar, Showground Larry, remained in Brisbane where he performed admirably keeping the finances ticking over. After several near misses he went to the Gold Coast and taught the field how this racing caper is done. He annihilated the other seven dogs and collected the checkered flag winning by about four lengths. We then thought it was time for him to follow in the pawsteps of his brother and head for Perth. He flew in and took up residence at the five star resort and training complex being the magnificent property of top line trainers Helen and Peter Sayer.

When things are going beautifully it usually means you've either overlooked something or the heat is just around the corner. Either that or the WA media had temporarily run out of ideas to tip a bucket on the Freo coach, team or individual players. Unfortunately it rang true. The heat was just around the corner. Injury struck and then set in. Sheriff Austin severely damaged a hock and Showground Larry injured a foot. As Dockers supporters, we know what perseverance is all about. A long stint on the sidelines and the tireless time consuming rehabilitation by Linda and Chris for Sheriff seemed to do the trick. Linda and Chris go that good at fixing injuries that it's actually rumoured Robbie Haddrill has employed them. Anyway he then galloped the house down and subsequently set Cannington alight in several trials. He lined up in a race and yet again devastation hit. He re-injured the same hock and although not as serious it was enough to put him back on the sidelines for more weeks and future career question marks rose above his head. While this was happening, Showground Larry was steadily recovering and heading towards his first trial.

It has been a long hard wait for all of the dockerland members and their patience was inspiring. If we were West Coast supporters then knowing their front running style we wouldn't have survived. The Subiaco wine bars would have done a roaring trade and the Perth Wildcat's membership would have rocketed. In any case the disappointments from the injuries were diminished somewhat when another Docker dog, Gun Smoke, stepped up to the plate and flew the dockerland flag to a crushing victory over Tim Gossage's Western Front. It was the inaugural Western Shootout and an event and race dockerlanders will be defending next year.

The long wait for The dockerland Syndicate is, touch wood or Adam Hunter's head, almost over. Sheriff Austin had his first gallop at Linda Britton's establishment and pulled up a treat and Showground Larry went around in a trial at Cannington on Monday night. While Sheriff is still a number of weeks away, Larry will be nominated for his debut Cannington race on Saturday the 24th September.

So that is where the dockerland Racing Syndicate is situated at for the moment. But the Fremantle Docker dogs don't stop there. Fremantle Docker's assistant coach Kelly O'Donell is head of the Dockers syndicate which goes by the name of The Wharfies. They have a "was going to be superstar but lack of ability got in the way" chaser that goes by the name of Whaler Widd. The Whaler, as he is known by his Docker owners, ran a slashing and very unlucky first up second in his debut at Cannington and if the clock displayed two seconds less then the time would have been very respectable. He then had two more runs but was struck down by a career threatening injury. Helen and Peter Sayer have done above and beyond anyone's expectations and have generously rested and revived the Whaler. They have gone to enormous lengths to get him back as a favour for the Dockers and it's been greatly appreciated on Fremantle's behalf. The Whaler trialed at Cannington on Monday night and went a treat. We employed Quentin Lynch to catch Whaler in the trial. We thought we'll give him some practice in catching things and the Whaler wouldn't be hard to catch. Guess what? It's not only footballs Quentin can't catch! Anyway after sacking Lynch we caught the Whaler. He pulled up well and looks set to continue his career in a week or two.

So for the off-season the Dockers will be fighting it out on the dog track. In a few weeks time there could be a big Fremantle presence on course out at Cannington Central. dockerland's Sheriff Austin and Showground Larry will hit the track and The Wharfies' Whaler Widd will be doing his best. Meanwhile reigning Western Shootout champion, Gun Smoke, will line up in the final of the Spring Gift on this Saturday night and once again try and bring home the chocolates for Fremantle.

For anyone who is interested we are currently looking at the possibility of creating another syndicate for the dockerland fans to get involved in. We've taken on the best West Coast have to offer and it was just yawnsville. Fremantle fans will own the Western Australian dog racing game and when we do, the Dockers theme song will be played after every race. We thought about trying to match Racing Radio's race caller Craig Evans. The thought crossed our mind that could we actually own and race as many dogs as Craig has different AFL club's jumpers? Then common sense prevailed. It can't be done.

Keep your eyes on dockerland for further news as it comes in and tune in Thursday nights to Peter O'Neil's Greyhound Gossip program on Racing Radio 1206am for all the latest on the Docker Dogs.