2013 Dockers not unlike 2016 Bulldogs. Constant pressure on the opposition without the ball and good movement of the ball when in possession. The forward line was good enough with Pavlich, Mayne kicking straight, Ballaz, Walters and midfielders chiming in for the goals.
2016 was turnover city and, as Bizkit has mentioned on numerous occassions, we were too slow against GWS, GCS and other fast teams. Against other teams like Melbourne and the Slime we were just NFG enough. Being crucified by injuries didn't help either.
I must say I'm crazy enough to agree with Morgan about Pearce. He's got 2 years left so you need to get some value for that. He's a good enough kick if he has a target to aim for, like Johnson. The Hills need to stick to the wings, they're much better runners than Pearce or Crozier.
The other problem was the opposition's loose man in defence who kept marking the clearing kick out of the half back line. Pav was constantly double-teamed and assaulted in a vain attempt to provide a target.
I sincerely hope we get fast, clean delivery out of the backline to multiple tall forward options - CamMac, Kersten, Apeness, Taberner - who can either clunk it or bring it to ground for Ballaz, Walters and other small forwards not injured or in jail by Round 1.
I'm not brave enough to have $20k on Freo at 50/1 to win it all, but I do think we have a chance of making the top 8. As always, home wins are the key to success. We only had 3 of them this year. Hopefully our best players stay on the park too.