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year book 2002 contentsSPONSORS IN 2002FREMANTLE FOOTBALL CLUB LTDCONTENTSMajor Sponsor2002 YEAR BOOKChairman’s Message . 3ABN 83 066 055 249CEO’s Message . 4www.fremantlefc.com.auPRODUCED BY:Atticus CommunicationsSuite 7, 154 Hampden Road,Nedlands WA 6009Premier SponsorsCoach’s Message . 7T: (08) 9386 8966For the Fremantle Football ClubA Product of the Fremantle Football ClubCommunications DepartmentCaptain’s Message . 9media@fremantlefc.com.auFREMANTLE FOOTBALL CLUB:Fremantle Oval, Parry Street,Fremantle WA 61602002 Awards . 102002 Recruits . 15P.O. Box 381, Fremantle WA 6959 2003 THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, ‘Coca-Cola’,the Dynamic Ribbon device and ‘Real Refreshment’are trade marks of the Coca-Cola Company.T: (08) 9433 7000F: (08) 9433 7001Dale Kickett Tribute . 16FREMANTLE FOOTBALL CLUBCOMMUNICATIONS MANAGER:Keith BlackJason Norrish Tribute . 17EDITORIAL:Keith Black, David Zampatti, Les Everitt,Rick Hart, Cameron Schwab,Chris Connolly, Peter BellCorporate SponsorsAustralia PostPeters & Brownes GroupBenny’s Bar and CafeXanadu WinesRick Hart Electrical RetailersFoxtelThe West AustralianThe Sunday Times92.9WinTVTelstraChannel 9Channel 10COPYRIGHT:Fremantle Football Club 2003.All rights reserved. Without limitingthe rights under copyright above,no part of this publication shall bereproduced, stored in or introducedinto a retrieval system, or transmittedin any form or by any means(electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording orotherwise) without the priorpermission of the FremantleFootball Club.PHOTOGRAPHY:All photography by Getty Images, OfficialAFL Photographic Agency unless creditedotherwiseYear in Review . 18Year Ahead . 192002 Season in Profile . 21DESIGN AND PRODUCTION:Scout CreativeSuite 7, 154 Hampden Road,Nedlands WA 6009T: (08) 9386 89662002 Team . 33info@scoutcreative.com.auADVERTISING ENQUIRIES:Atticus CommunicationsSuite 7, 154 Hampden Road,Nedlands WA 6009T: (08) 9386 89662002 Stats . 34Excitement . 36PRINTING:Lamb Print9 Robertson Street, Perth WA 6000T: (08) 9328 1533Farewells . 382003 AFL Season . 39Off the Field . 40F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 1
the chairmanThe 2002season was acritical year forthe FremantleFootball ClubTHE STRUCTURE, operations and businesshome did not yield success. Fremantleprocesses of the Club were subjected totravelled more than any other AFL clubsubstantial scrutiny and change over thein 2002 and faced an extremely difficultcourse of the year. All operating divisionstravel schedule playing games in Adelaide,of the Club were significantly restructuredMelbourne, Launceston, Geelong,under the stewardship of our new ChiefCanberra, Sydney and Brisbane – but noExecutive Officer Cameron Schwab.excuses, we must bridge the gap betweenWe have indeed come a long way in 2002our best and worst, home and away.but we still have an equally long way to goFinancially, 2002 saw the Club achieveto set the foundations for a great footballa significant turnaround of approximatelyClub. We have clearly identified the 1.0m from the 2001 loss of 2.5 million.challenges facing us and have earnestlyThis was achieved in a season that saw allbegun the task of addressing thoseclubs under significant financial pressureschallenges head-on.and further reflects the real inroads weThe Board of Management and the seniorhave made off the field in 2002. However,executives have developed a Strategicwe still have work to do to achieve a resultPlan for 2003 to 2005 and we have“in the black” and all our efforts over thegathered quality people to deliver thecoming 12 months will focus on ourobjectives of that plan.strategic priority of long term financialstability to allow us to make theWhile we are very much focused on thecontribution to WA football required of us.future, we can look back on season 2002with pride as the first step our Club hasWhile the past has not yielded the successmade on its quest to be a consistentthat the Club’s stakeholders may havefinals contender and earn respect inexpected, especially the Club’s loyal andthe AFL competition.passionate supporters, the foundationshave been laid with the strategy,The Club’s on-field performancesobjectives and people to successfullydemonstrated why the Club is regardedaddress every challenge facing the Club.as having one of the most exciting youngplaying lists in the AFL. Senior coachRICK HARTChris Connolly has developed strong,professional team structures together withtraining programmes and a game plan thatearned the respect of the players andopposition teams. These are the strongfoundations for the Club’s continued onfield development.While Subiaco Oval was restored asa ground to be feared by visiting clubs,with memorable victories against grandfinalists Collingwood, finalists Melbourneand Essendon, and 2001 finalistsHawthorn, our performances away fromF r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 3
the CEOI think it wasBryce Courtenaywho wrote:“If you’reskating onthin ice,you may aswell tapdance”.4YES, WE HAVE taken many risks sinceLet there be no doubt that theSeptember 2001 as the Club embarked onfundamentals are in place and we can bethe process of getting better. They wereconfident that we are on track, but thererisks taken knowing the depth of changewill be times when our patience and beliefrequired to turn this thing around, to breakwill be tested.the cycle of mediocrity, but with also anIn 2002 we won seven more games andunderstanding and respect for thisimproved our financial performance bytoughest of competitions.approximately 1 million though our poorUltimately the passage of time will be thetrading performance cannot continue.best judge of decisions taken, all of whichBut it is turning around – it is turningwill have a profound effect on the mediumaround on the back of a renewed senseto long term future of the club.of hope and positivity.In the meantime many sit in judgment Encouraged by our talented young coachkick by kick quarter by quarter gameto play positive football, our young playersby game and season by season.grew in confidence and belief, and withThis type of scrutiny can promote a type ofthat started to build an overwhelming‘short-termism’ that requires those withsense of optimism that has so often eludedwhom decision making responsibility isthe Club in its short history.vested to stay focused, to stick thick,And our supporters shared some excitingto trust each other, even when it appearsmoments with us.we are challenging the natural order andOur after-the-siren victory againstthe discomfort that will inevitably beMelbourne courtesy of a wobbly Jeffa consequence.Farmer kick, and our win againstThis will include our owners, our board, ourCollingwood in our first true Blockbustermanagement and players – and ultimatelymatch and the coach directing the teamour supporters.to hug the boundary line as they did theirWe have said many times that thewarm-up lap in the Western Derby, in frontFremantle Football Club will have its day –of the biggest ever AFL crowd at Subiacoprovided we can maintain that sense ofOval, take it all in, and running away withunity and it is supported at all levels.a convincing victory.F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k
the CEOWe also said goodbye to Jason Norrish,who was admired by supporters andgenuinely respected by his teammates andcoaches, and there was not a dry eye inthe ground when we said goodbye to DaleKickett who played every game as thoughit was his last and completed the slowestever lap at Subiaco.And the effect was contagious. Not onlydid our members and supporters getcaught up in the excitement and thepromise of the future, but so did ourplayers. Let us not underestimate thesignificance of the re-signing of JustinLongmuir, Paul Hasleby and our firstAll Australian Matthew Pavlich.And we did not lose our focus during thetrading and drafting period. Our prioritywas to land Brisbane Premiership playerand former number one draft choiceDes Headland and we did, and we did soknowing that we had the signatures of ourbest young talent locked away. We canalso have confidence in our draft choices,they are well researched and selected tocomplement our emerging team structures.But we cannot get carried away with ourimproved performances in 2002, there isstill a hell of a long way to go. The seasonwas promising – that is all – nothing more,nothing less.The great moments of 2002 are nowconsigned to history and we move forward.We understand that Fremantle still has along way to go to build real respect in thiscompetition and that will come. The signsare good and we have great reason foroptimism, but we are not getting aheadof ourselves.Rest assured – Fremantle will have its day.CAMERON SCHWABF r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 5
the coachThe single bestfeature of2002 was theattitude of theplayersSEASON 2002 was a positive year.We are an emerging team, on the rise ifIt allowed our newly restructured footballyou like. Opposition teams are clearlydepartment the opportunity to assess allaware of this and will try to dismantle usareas of football operations while at theat every turn. Our team will be challengedsame time our developing team playedon all fronts and I look forward to 2003 tosome exciting, winning football.see how our young players respond. AsThe single best feature of 2002 was theindividuals they may struggle at times butattitude of the players. They are desperatetogether they will be difficult to hold back.to improve their own individual games,Our football department has a hugehardworking and hungry for team success.responsibility in creating an environmentMake no mistake, Fremantle players carewhere our team continually develops andabout Fremantle; they embrace theirindividual players grow as footballers.supporters to the best of their ability andI thank each member of our staff for theirfully support all departments of the Club toefforts in 2002 and I am personallyassist our financial stability. Their effortsmotivated by the energy and excitementhave made a great contribution to the Clubthey bring every day with a view to 2003in 2002 and I thank them for that.and beyond.To those players who have moved on afterAt Fremantle the light at the end of thethe season, the Club’s appreciation istunnel is not an on-coming train but anextended with a special thank you toopening to something special. How quicklystalwarts Dale Kickett and Jason Norrishour team can get there and what it holdsfor their loyal service over the years. Leighin store I am not exactly sure. But I amBrown and Adam McPhee were a pleasuresure if we remain diligent in all areas,to coach and were traded with a heavychannel our passion in the same directionheart. They will be given betterand are aggressive in our attitudeopportunities at their new clubs and haveFremantle will have its day.assisted Fremantle in staying on track toachieve its long term on-field goals.CHRIS CONNOLLYF r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 7
the captainThe team iswithout doubtone of themost excitingin thecompetitionIT HAS BEEN a long time since I signed asWith the key players Matthew Pavlich,the first Fremantle player way back inJustin Longmuir and Paul Hasleby re-1995. Returning to the Club in 2001 wassigning at season’s end, the addition ofnot the best homecoming as our seasonpremiership player Des Headland to thewas one that I, my team mates and thesquad, and coach Chris ConnollyClub would sooner forget.committing to the Club for another threeWe took stock of ourselves as a club atyears, the team has the stability to matchthe end of 2001 and began the process ofits talent.developing a team and a record that theWe are hungry to make our own piece ofClub and our supporters could be proud of.history to take Fremantle into its first everUnder the leadership of Senior Coach Chrisfinals campaign. We are hungry forConnolly and the other members of thesuccess and we all want to be a part of itcoaching staff, the 2002 season was oneand set the foundations for a great footballthat has proved that we have the attitude,Club. The 2002 season was one step oncapabilities and ability to deliver success.that path and it will be an exciting journeyWhile the scoreboard will show us withfor the players, the Club and supporters.nine wins, though none on the road, weThe attitude of the players is fantastic andneed to look beyond this as we look at theit has been a privilege and honour to beseason just gone.the Captain of the Club in these excitingThe team is without doubt one of the mosttimes. We are continually striving to buildexciting in the competition. Withrespect for the club and we know all tooexperienced players Trent Croad, Jeffwell that the future is in our own hands.Farmer, Troy Simmonds, and LukeWith the fantastic support of ourMcPharlin joining the Club at the end ofpassionate supporters we know that one2001 to complement our established groupday Fremantle will have its day.and then add to that an exciting band ofemerging young talent, I believe we have aPETER BELLteam for the future.F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 9
the awardsPAVLICH STORMS HOMEIt was a wild night in the giant marquee on Fremantle Oval, but even the gale force winds that struck the port couldn’tdampen the enthusiasm of nearly 1,000 Freo supporters who braved the elements to acclaim our new Club Champion.The awards – the first telecast by media partner Channel 9 – confirmed the dynamic mix emerging in Fremantle football,with players from the class of ’95 joining 2002 recruits among the winners.The new Club champion voting system gave each player a vote from zero to seven for each game, rewarding consistencythrough the season and ensuring a close, exciting finish.Before the announcement of the winners, the Club paid tribute to retiring club champions Dale Kickett and Jason Norrish.Earlier in the evening, the 2002 Anchor for contribution to the Club was presented to Fremantle’s Deckchair Theatre.EW PAVLICHTHE CHAMPION: MATTHson for Fremantle’s2002 was a stellar seaclass was evident in aemerging superstar. Hiseper for mances in defencnumber of dominatingrevealed in crucialwhile his potential wasseason.midfield roles during theleadershipMatthew revelled in thee-captaincy, andresponsibilities of the vicoff field dealing withshowed great maturityation about his future.the pressures of speculwhen Matthew decidedSupporters were buoyedfor three years andto re-sign with the cubstanding per for mancefollowed up with an outEssendon at Colonialagainst James Hird and14 games during theStadium. It was one ofor six votes fromyear that earned him fivethe match committee.mances were rewardedMatthew’s 2002 per for-Australian team,with selection in the Allntle to achieve thatthe first player for Fremae-breaker and best onhonour. He was the gamational Rules test forground in his one Internson.Australia after the sealligent player with“Matthew is a super-inteis going to be enormousexcellent disposal whops into a classfor this club as he develollymidfielder.” Chris Conno10 F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k
the awardsER OFRUNNER-UP AND HARBOUR MASTERS PLAYTHE YEAR: PETER BELLtop-twoThe club’s new captain produced anotherh inperformance in club championships, his fourtas many years.Peter remains the AFL’s premier endurancedrunner, and it was little surprise that he toppethe league in disposals in 2002.t wasHis extraordinary work ethic and commitmengingevident as he marshalled the team’s emermuchgroup of young players and led them to aimproved performance through the year.six,Peter played his 150th AFL game in roundwhoar-olda long way from the starr y-eyed 18-yerun onfronted for Fremantle’s first-ever trainingOctober 31, 1994.“Peter leads this team from the front.He combines great running ability withimproving creative disposal.” Chris ConnollyTHIRD PLACE: SHANE PARKERFremantle’s faith in its new leadership group wasrewardedwhen the captain and vice-captains filled the topthreepositions in club championship voting.For Shane Parker, his third placing was his sixthconsecutivetop-ten finish in the club championships, a testament to thestandards he sets for himself on and off the field.Barring a one-week break for injury in round 21 Shanewouldhave played his 150th game for the club this year,a uniqueachievement for the club’s most durable and respected player.“Shane’s excellent attitude to training and the gamemakeshim the backbone of our defence and rarely beaten.”Chris ConnollyF r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 11
the awardsFOURTH PLACE: PAUL HASLEBY2000,After Paul Hasleby’s stellar debut year inandwhen he won the AFL’s Rising Star Awardwas runner-up to Troy Cook in the clubstruggledchampionship, it was no surprise that he.to maintain confidence and fitness in 2001backBut the good news was that “Hazey” camehwith a vengeance in 2002, earning his fourtieldplace with a series of gritty and skillful mid-fpart ofperformances, especially through the midthe season.is“Paul has excellent ball winning ability andmevery difficult to beat one-on-one. He’ll becoeven more valuable as his disposal continuesto improve.” Chris ConnollyFIFTH PLACE: TROY SIMMONDSThe least-heralded of Fremantle’s 2001 tradesdelivered the biggest bonus, as Troy Simmondsproduced 12 five and six point games in aseason shortened by a serious throat injury.Troy perfor med admirably in the ruck, but itwas his mobility around the ground andpower ful defensive marking which caught theeye of supporters and, obviously, the matchcommittee.A popular and committed clubman, “Snake”has much more to offer in the years to come.“Troy is a fierce competitor with exceptionalathletic ability, and don’t be surprised if hisgame develops further as we push him forwardmore.” Chris Connolly12 F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k
the awardsBEACON AWARD AND AUSTRALIA POST MOSTPOPULAR PLAYER: PAUL MEDHURSTAn extraordinary debut year saw Paul Medhurstgraduate from the WAFL to goal with his first kickin the AFL and add 35 more before the seasonwas out.Paul’s fan appeal won him the popularity poll, butit was his solid skills that impressed footballafficionados and marked him as potentially oneof the premier small forwards in the AFL and adeserving winner of the Beacon Award.“Paul is a smart player who is usually one stepahead of opponents. He’s got the ability to learnto contribute in a midfield role as well as upforward.” Chris ConnollyBEST CLUBMAN: SHAUN MCMANUSisShaun McManus showed that leadershipmore than a title in 2002 by relinquishingthe captaincy but not his role as an inspiring,tenacious player and an enthusiastic andsupportive teammate.onThe most pleasing part of the equation washisfield, where he produced the best form sinceserious knee injuries in 1997 and ’98 toonconvert many of his detractors as the seasprogressed.that“Shaun is a fierce competitor with a spiritis infectious for our younger players.”Chris ConnollyF r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 13
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recruitsDES HEADLAND“The whole Club and the boys in particularThe Club entered the 2002 four day Playerhave made me feel very welcome and I haveTrade period in October with one objective insettled in easily,” said Des. “I feel like amind and successfully secured the signaturerookie again and just can’t wait for theof Brisbane premiership player and 1998season to start.”number 1 National Draft selection,With Brisbane, Des’ improvement wasDes Headland.dramatic emerging from being a fringe seniorFor Des it was a much awaited return homeplayer at the start of 2002 to playing 16to WA with partner Chantelle and childrensenior games plus 3 finals, including theMadisan aged 2 and Mason 3 months.2002 grand final. Des’ emergence saw aHaving bought a house in Perth during 2002,storming finish in the 2002 Brownlow MedalDes and his family are delighted to be backcount to finish equal sixth with 16 votes.home and especially to be with Fremantle.Des will wear the number 11 jumper for“This is such an exciting Club with such anFremantle, worn with distinction by Daleexciting group of players,” Des said. “I amKickett since 1995 until his retirementreally looking forward to being a part ofat the end of the 2002 season.history at Freo and be a part of our firstfinals appearance.”Date of Birth: 21/1/81,Perth WAHeight: 187cmWeight: 87kgAFL Debut: 1999, Round 13v Sydney at SCG aged 18AFL Games: 48 (plus 5AFL Finals), AFL Goals: 52No 1 selection 1998 AFLNational Draft; TouredIreland in 1998 with theAIS/AFL Academy sideBYRON SCHAMMERHeight: 175cmWeight: 73 kgDate of Birth: 21/6/85National Draft Selection: 13Regarded as a dynamicinside midfielder withexcellent skills on bothsides, Byron won the LarkeMedal in the AFL U18’s andachieved All-Australianhonours in 2002.Career Highlights:WA and All-AustralianU16 1997; Winner U16B&F Medal AustralianU16 Championships1997; WA U18 1998Winner WAFL Rising StarGREG EDGCUMBEHeight: 186cmWeight: 78 kgDate of Bir th: 1/5/84National Draft Selection: 48Greg is a hard workingmidfielder/defender withgood pace and excellentoverall athletic ability. Hecan play tall or small anduses the ball well.Award 1998; SubiacoBest and Fairest PlayerAward 1998; Ansett CupGrand Final Side 2001;Brisbane Lions ReservesPremiership Side 2001;Brisbane Lions AFLRYAN CROWLEYHeight: 188cmWeight: 83 kgDate of Bir th: 5/3/84National Draft Selection: 55A hard working insideplayer,Ryan was a memberof theVictorian Metro team in the2002 AFL U18 NationalChampionships. Hecarriesthe ball well, is strongoverhead and athletic.2002 Rookie DraftRICKY MOTTHeight: 200cmWeight: 108 kgDate of Birth: 21/04/81From: South Fremantle(WA)/Sydney SwansSTEVEN DODDHeight: 189cmWeight: 78 kgDate of Birth: 20/06/83From: East Fremantle (WA)BEN COLREAVYHeight: 181cmWeight: 80 kgDate of Birth: 29/01/82From: Claremont (WA)Premiership Side 2002;Brisbane Lions MostImproved Player 2002;Equal sixth, 2002Brownlow Medal; WAState of Origin 2002BRETT DOSWELLHeight: 184cmWeight: 74 kgDate of Birth: 14/1/84National Draft Selection: 63An agile and skillful playerfrom the Wagga Tigers (clubof origin of 1995 BrownlowMedallist Paul Kelly), Brettrepresented NSW/ACT inAFL U18s this year and wasa member of the AIS/AFLAcademy in 2000/2001.DANIEL GILMOREHeight: 188cmWeight: 80 kgDate of Birth: 02/03/83From: South Fremantle (WA)F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 15
Dale KickettThe UniqueDale KickettST KILDA fans might remember a skinnyAfter returning to the West from Essendonyoung Aboriginal kid who kicked five goalsin 1995, Dale was a key member of thein the first of his fifteen games for theirfirst Fremantle squad under his long-timeclub before homesickness got the bettermentor Gerard Neesham. His achievementsof him and he returned home to his belovedwith the club are notable in themselves:Western Australia.runner up in the club champion award inThat kid had already played for Fitzroy andboth 1995 and 1996, he was a universallyWest Coast, and was to also representpopular winner in 1997. He was for someEssendon, before he found a home at theyears the holder of the record number ofAFL’s newest club, Fremantle.games played for the club, passed onlyrecently by another Fremantle stalwart,His amazing football odyssey finally cameShane Parker.to an end on an emotional night at SubiacoOval on July 6 when Fremantle supportersBut it is for more intangible attributes thatbade farewell to its favourite son, DaleDale will be remembered at Fremantle.Kickett, who announced his retirementHis dash and courage off the half-back lineafter twelve years and exactly 200 gameswere a constant inspiration to the youngin the AFL.players around him. His quiet authority attraining and around the club mirrored hisNot surprisingly, Dale played his last gamesuccess on field.– against Port Adelaide – like he hadplayed the 199 before it, starring in theIf the wider football community remembersfirst quarter (during which he kicked hisDale principally for his part in the second63rd AFL goal) before gritting his teeth forderby of 2000 which landed him a nine-a valiant rear-guard action as the eventualweek suspension (an interview with Daleminor premiers ran riot in the second half.a year later cast a very different light onthe events of that day than appeared onDale had a unique career in the AFL,being the only living player to representfive clubs, but his contribution to football,and Fremantle in particular, goes muchdeeper than that statistic.16 F r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o kscreen), for his team-mates and Fremantlesupporters he was always “Kicketty”,Fremantle’s first true legend.
Jason NorrishFarewell JasonNorrishJASON NORRISH played for Fremantle withproperly” – a fitting postscript to hisdistinction for eight years and 128 games,entire career.winning the 1998 club championship andJason maintained good form throughoutserving as a vice-captain from 1999-2001.the rest of his career, although hisHe ends his career as one of only sixdetermination and discipline was oftenoriginal Dockers still at the club and withmissed in the dark days of 2001, when hethe third-highest number of games playedmanaged only 12 games because of injury.for Fremantle behind Shane Parker andHappily, Jason’s last year was among hisfellow-retiree Dale Kickett.best, missing only two games – one soAfter early football days at Marist Collegethat he could be present at the birth of hisBunbury – from where he achieved Statetwin daughters – and playing an importantSchoolboys’ representation – and Halesupporting role for the team’s emergingSchool, Jason made his WAFL debut instars and the life of the club off-field.1990 and played in Gerard Neesham’sThe Fremantle Football Club congratulates1991 premiership side for the Tigers.Jason on a wonderful career, and wishesWhile Jason came to typify the no-him, Kate, and the twins Molly and Grace,nonsense, unglamorous AFL midfielderevery success in the future.during his ten years at the top level, it isworth remembering that he was taken atnumber 5 in the 1991 National Draft aheadof luminaries like Crawford, Dunkley andthe Scholls and played in all three ofMelbourne’s 1994 finals during his twoyears for the Dees.It’s little wonder that Jason was a priorityselection as an uncontracted player for thenewly-formed Dockers in 1995 and, whilehe was occasionally hampered by injury,he rewarded his new club with 34 gamesin his first two seasons at Fremantle.Sadly, in 1997, the year that promised somuch for Jason and his team, his seasonwas effectively ended in round 7. Hisabsence from the midfield was a significantfactor in the club’s disappointing finish tothe year, which saw them fall only onegame short of a first finals appearance.Jason made up for it in an injury-free 1998,playing all games and pipping AdrianFletcher by one vote for a popular clubchampionship. He accepted the award withhis usual modesty, claiming that it wasmainly recognition for “doing your jobF r e m a n t l e F o o t b a l l C l u b 2 0 0 2 Ye a r B o o k 17
the year in reviewINTRODUCTIONThe implementation ofsynergy between all areasloss, it is pleasing that thisThe 2002 season was oneadvanced trainingto maximise revenuefigure was reduced byof improved performancesprogrammes was theopportunities in the futureapproximately 1 million innot only on the field butprimary focus at the startand improve efficiencythe 2002 financial year.also through the entireof 2002 to develop theof resources.However, the 2002 financialclub. Much has beenphysical capabilities of theThe year was highlighted byyear reflected theachieved during the yearplayers to withstand thean increase in homecontinuing challenge facingto set the foundations forrigours of the season. Theattendances at Subiaco Ovalthe Club as it strives toa great football Club.results could be seen duringwith Fremantle achievingbalance its financialFOOTBALL OPERATIONSthe season with the teamthe highest percentagecommitments with itsThe structure and operationfinishing matches strongly.increase in the AFL in 2002operational objectives.of the football departmentWhile on-field performancesof 23 percent, achieved inwas overhauled at the endat Subiaco restored thean environment where homeof the 2001 season. TheClub’s home groundand away attendancesClub appointed a new Senioradvantage, performancesacross the AFL were at theirCoach, Football Manager,away from home continuedlowest level since 1996.Strength and Conditioningto be a key issue.The Fremantle home gameCoach, and Player ContractsThe team travelled to moreagainst West Coast EaglesManager to bring about theparts of Australia than anyin the 16th Western Derbyrequired improvements inother club in the AFL inset the record for theContinuing losses do notthe operations of the2002 and the travellargest AFL crowd at theprovide sustainability forfootball department, teamregimes continued to benew Subiaco Oval, madethe Club. Improvementsmanagement and playeri
2002 YEAR BOOK ABN 83 066 055 249 www.fremantlefc.com.au PRODUCED BY: Atticus Communications Suite 7, 154 Hampden Road, Nedlands WA 6009 T: (08) 9386 8966 For the Fremantle Football Club A Product of the Fremantle Football Club Communications Department media@fremantlefc.com.au FREMANTLE FOOTBALL CLUB: Fremantle Oval, Parry Street, Fremantle WA .
