September 2011 : A press conference, held to introduce Ross Lyon as new head coach of Fremantle footy club, on a $3.2million, 4 year contract. A journo asks the very obvious question, why move to Freo? Ross Lyon, with unexpected candor (as St Kilda coach, he's already developed a reputation for cliches and answering questions with questions) says something like "who wouldn't want to work with this playing list?"
What WAS a really good squad in 2011 has, in 2019, after a painful rebuilding/ restumping period, developed into a markedly better list in almost every position, with All-Australians, a Brownlow medalist captain and a number of high draft picks, some of whom built solid reputations at other clubs, but chose to return to WA, to play for the Dockers.
Unfortunately for the long-suffering membership, the head coach doesn't seem to have improved at all. The game plan is embarrassingly outdated. The players (mostly) seem disinterested, while precious skills and talents are going to waste. Change or improvement seems beyond the 2019 version of Ross Lyon.
Given the talent on offer, at a stable well-organised club, with a loyal fan base, which AFL coach wouldn't want to take over at Fremantle? So, roll the dice Peter Bell. Do it now, before it really is too late.