They might have damaged a six-year finals drought final 12 months, however the rising Dockers “haven’t achieved anything”, in keeping with ahead Lachie Schultz.
However, they’re determined to vary that as quickly as doable, with Schultz boldly declaring Fremantle’s younger group is filled with perception that they will win the 2023 premiership.
Freo narrowly missed the highest 4 and received a last of their first journey to September since 2015, however stay an out of doors $17 likelihood to win this 12 months’s flag after shedding a number of gamers.
It hasn’t broken Schultz’s confidence within the squad, with the person thought of their ahead line barometer praising their depth as they returned to pre-season on Thursday.
“We were pretty happy with last year, being able to make finals after six years… (but) we haven’t achieved anything still,” Schultz stated.
“We just want to keep improving. We want to get better than that. It’s sort of the benchmark and we believe we can win the flag.
“It’s obviously a tough competition this year. There’s a lot of cubs that have a chance and it’s very even.”
There will likely be a recent face alongside Schultz within the ahead line group, with skipper Nat Fyfe virtually actually a everlasting fixture in assault.
The 31-year-old labored alongside defenders Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling in some intense one-on-one contests, as he works in direction of spearheading the Dockers’ premiership pursuit.
“I love having him down there. He’s obviously an integral part of our team and we love playing with him,” Schultz stated.
“To have him in the forward line adds another strength to our bow and obviously his bow.
“To be able to move him down to the forward line now makes my life a lot easier, makes the rest of the forwards’ lives a lot easier and gives opportunity to the younger boys in the midfield as well.
“He’s definitely got that natural craft, he knows what he’s doing. I’m still asking him for pointers about how I can get better at my forward craft.
“We saw a snippet today, but what he’s got in store is going to be exciting.”
Fyfe’s place as captain has been known as into query in latest months after the twin Brownlow medallist performed simply seven video games in 2022.
Schultz wouldn’t weigh in on whether or not he ought to stay within the function however backed the depth of leaders they’ve within the squad.
“It’s up to him, it’s up the club and whatever way they go everyone fully supports,” he stated.
“The exciting and pleasing thing is we’ve got lots of leaders at our club now that gives us another option.
“The young boys coming through like Andy (Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) and Youngy (Hayden Young), those kinds of guys make our leadership group really exciting and one that can be around for the long-term as well as the short-term.”
