WA footy preview 2025: Dockers, Eagles look to climb the ladder in new AFL season

There are two very different propositions facing Western Australia's AFL sides as they enter season 2025.

For Fremantle, it's time to deliver on undeniable potential.

For West Coast and new coach Andrew McQualter, this year is about showing a clear direction as the Eagles try to claw back some respectability.

Let's start with the Dockers, which put its cards on the table in last year's AFL trade period, parting with three first-round picks to secure the services of Shai Bolton.

It was a move made to add some cream to a crop of talented players, which fell well short of expectation in 2024.

Haunted by the past

The Dockers looked on track for a top four finish last season, before several ill-timed injuries and a collapse in form saw them fall from third to ninth to miss finals.

Fremantle ended the 2024 season without Sean Darcy or Alex Pearce (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Sean Darcy and Josh Treacy suffered knee injuries, while Alex Pearce had a broken arm, as the trio missed the end of the season.

It robbed the Dockers of their captain, first choice ruck, and leading goal-kicker.

Darcy remains an injury concern, and will miss the start of this season.

Former Fremantle captain and football boss Peter Bell believes the club has to accept he won't play every game in a season.

"Fremantle should be looking at 12 to 15 games, because that's what history tells you Sean's good for," Bell said on ABC Perth's Sports Talk.

"He catches injuries. You'd be a brave person to suggest that that's going to change into the future as he gets older."

Justin Longmuir is entering his sixth year as Fremantle coach

But despite the injuries late in the year, it's hard to fathom how a side that had been in the top eight for 11 consecutive weeks could lose its final four games and crash out of contention.

That late season fade out, combined with a list considered one of top-four potential, puts coach Justin Longmuir under pressure.

Add the Bolton acquisition, and it's hard to see anything short of playing in two finals as being a success.

"We think we've got the footy programme, the coaching staff and structure, Justin [Longmuir's] coaching team... and most importantly, the playing list, Dockers CEO Simon Garlick told ABC Perth's Sports Talk.

" We think we've got that as a package that has the capability to contend and starting from this year. "

Fremantle fans, rightfully, have a sense of optimism, but it will be tempered by 30 years of disappointment.

The Bolton impact

Shai Bolton's move to Fremantle from Richmond, where he won two Premierships, could be read as a vote of confidence in the Dockers playing group.

The club identified him as the player needed to help a very talented squad take the next step towards a maiden flag.

Shai Bolton led the Tigers goal-kicking in 2024 before his blockbuster trade to the Dockers. (AAP Image/James Ross)

There's no question around what Bolton brings to Fremantle in terms of goal-kicking ability and class — in a team which only won two games in 2024, the 26-year old booted 34 goals.

Only one other player kicked more than 20.

How he's used at the Dockers is the question. As well as being the Tigers leading goal-kicker, he was also among the side's best midfielders.

Bolton arrived at the Dockers in the off-season, after winning two Premierships with Richmond (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

He was third in clearances and contested possessions, and led the inside 50 count.

"I think they [the Dockers] need to allow Shai, and the team by extension, a little bit of latitude to introduce some chaos, some unpredictability," Bell said.

Managing the veterans

The question at the selection table comes down to whether to trust the emerging stars to take the next step, or to hedge their bets and keep playing the likes of Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe for their experience.

Nat Fyfe played 22 games for the Dockers last season (AAP Image/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT)

The contribution the pair has made to the club is undeniable, but now the question is whether they are in the Dockers best 23 week in, week out.

Fyfe is likely battling the likes of Neil Erasmus, Murphy Reid, Matt Johnson and Will Brodie as the next player up in the event of a spot in midfield opening up.

Walters showed in the pre-season he's still got the class that made him one of the games best small forwards, but again, the squeeze is on the small forwards, especially with Bolton's arrival.

Michael Walters is second on the Dockers all-time goal-kicking list (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

There is a lot on the line for Fremantle in 2025. The club has gone in on long contracts for a core group of players, and this is the season they have to begin challenging.

But as Bell said: "I feel like they are a top-four list ... I've got them fifth or sixth.

"That's the disconnect between what I think they are capable of, and needing to see a bit more evidence of their ability to handle those big occasions."

New chapter at Lathlain

At the other end of the ladder is the Eagles, who are trying to put three abysmal years behind them.

Andrew McQaulter takes the reigns from Adam Simpson, and the club has moved to fill a glaring hole in its list by recruiting players in their mid-20s.

Can Andrew McQualter turn the misfiring Eagles around? (ABC News: Kenith Png)

Liam Baker and Jack Graham bring premiership experience from Richmond, while Matt Owies booted 33 goals in 23 games for Carlton last season.

Tom Barrass and Jack Darling departed in the off-season, but several young players will be looking to step up in their absence.

Elijah Hewett didn't play a game in 2024 due to a foot injury and Harley Reid has struggled for fitness over the pre-season.

New draftee Bo Allen showed signs in pre-season he will be able to hold his own, but he was in doubt for round one after illness.

"They're going to play some exciting footy. You want to see that for long periods of the game and through the majority of the season," Bell said.

There is speculation about the future of Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen. (AAP Image: Richard Wainwright)

"Yes, they're going to muck it up [at times], that happens when you're building a new style, particularly if you're playing a really attacking style, they will be scored against."

Off the field, the future of co-captain Oscar Allen will be under the microscope, yet to commit beyond this season and with reported interest interstate.

If he stays, and the Eagles can demonstrate consistent effort, the foundation is there for the club to improve in coming seasons.

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