Lyon’s share of woes but coach positive

FREMANTLE has limped to the line in another forgettable season, but coach Ross Lyon can see growth in his side.

The Dockers were 15-point losers against Essendon yesterday at Etihad Stadium to round out their season.

It was their 10th loss in their final 13 matches, confirming 14th place in 2017 for the West Australians.

It’s an improvement on last year’s 16th-place finish but still a long way from where they want to be.

And that means change is coming to the Dockers.

“We need to get men of character in the door with talent and work hard and improve the system,” Lyon said.

“It can be done. We’ll do the work and we’ll come again.

“From where we’re are, we’ll cut our list hard. The only constant thing in AFL football, as someone told me, is change.

“We need to leave no stone unturned. Continue to improve and grow and learn from this hard period.”

Zac Dawson and Garrick Ibbotson have already announced their retirements. Others will be shipped out as Lyon seeks improvement in 2018.

And he wants to see more of some other players, including returning forward Harley Bennell.

Bennell helped the Dockers surge to within eight points of the Bombers in the final term.

“Gee whiz, he was exciting at the end. I thought he had them on toast but we had to tap him out because of his physical parameters,” Lyon said.

“If he can do the work (in the offseason) we know we’ve got a topflight player there.”

Given the past two losses before the Round 23 match were both by 104 points, Lyon hailed the improved display.

“Our fight and our willpower was really strong. We were right in the game,” he said.

“Our backs ran, our forwards presented. Some of our young players grew and our leaders stood up.

“I thought they displayed great character. Today counted. You can’t just say today didn’t count. It was pleasing.”

Heath Hocking was never supposed to play against Fremantle, but Bombers coach John Worsfold was delighted he did. Hocking got a late tap on the shoulder just two minutes before the bounce after Cale Hooker felt a tightness in his calf.

The club veteran was crucial to their 15-point win. Hocking kicked two goals, including a fourth-quarter effort to snap a run of five straight majors by the fast-finishing Dockers.

More than his effort on the day, Worsfold said the 29-year-old represented the winding journey travelled by the Bombers.

He has played just seven matches in three years — partially owing to his doping ban last year — and might not have played another one, given the rise of junior players at the club.

But he took his moment and ensured the Bombers returned to the finals.