Dockers attack work in progress
Fremantle’s bid to increase their scoring output this season remains a work in progress, according to captain Matthew Pavlich.
The Dockers have marginally improved in attack over the opening seven rounds, ranking fifth with an average of 95 points a game compared to 91 last year.
They have broken the 100-point barrier four times and are on track to record their highest average score since 2010.
At the other end, Fremantle’s back line has been at its stingy best, conceding a league-low 66 points a game despite the absence of key defenders Zac Dawson (groin) and, over the past fortnight, Luke McPharlin (calf).
Pavlich said the forward line had been functioning well during the Dockers’ unbeaten start to the season.
But the 33-year-old veteran felt there was still room for improvement ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with North Melbourne at Domain Stadium.
“I think it’s still a work in progress, but it’s really starting to gel and that chemistry, with more time spent together, is getting there,” Pavlich said.
“If you think about it, Mayne, Ballantyne, Walters and myself have been playing for quite some time together, and probably Zac (Clarke) as well in that group.
“Taberner’s been around that group now for a couple of seasons so we are starting to gel, and we’ve only got more improvement to go.”
After playing one WAFL match at the start of the season, Taberner has strung together six straight senior matches for the first time in his career.
“It’s an opportunity for him to engage me and me to engage him, and certainly as a senior player it’s a critical role to assist the development of our younger players, in particular our key-position players,” Pavlich said.
