Moving right along...

22 - Scott Thornton - Oh dear.  This season has only served to magnify Scott's weaknesses and minimise his strengths.  Has been utterly hopeless in holding down a key position in the backline, which has cost the team dear by putting us behind in matches.  His trademark run was still there against the Bombers, and indeed his marking turned back the clock somewhat - but he isn't really the answer for an ageing defence.

23 - Chris Mayne - Just as one frizzy-haired Freo hero prepares to shuffle off the scene, a new incumbent has emerged.  Jeff Farmer needed another teammate prepared to bust a gut to lock the ball in our forward line, and Chopper fits that bill nicely.  Once he puts on some muscle mass, his contested marking should improve which is the obvious problem with his first year game.  Very exciting future.

24 - Adam Campbell - Where is he?!?  It seems the big Kiwi has never really been given an even shot at establishing himself in our forward line, so I'm glad he's still under contract for a little while.  In games where Pav is quadruple teamed, his physical presence up there could be very handy at the fall of the ball and he has the ability to inspire the purple army where others cannot.  Needs game time.

25 - Steven Dodd - like a dutiful student, the pulsing purple heart of Fremantle continues to incrementally improve his game.  He'll never have brilliant skills, but Doddy always just keeps getting slightly better and can now hold down a defensive half back flank with considerable aplomb.  Easily one of my first picked each week.

26 - Kepler Bradley - having seen his last few games at Essendon, I was shuddering.  But to his credit, Kepler impressed me with his appearances this year.  He is a big unit who can take a strong mark and knows how to find the ball.  Unfortunately I don't think he's up to being a regular at the moment, but as a backup ruckman and sometime half forward I think he'll be valuable to have.  Which brings me to...

27 - Daniel Gilmore - another at the crossroads.  Kepler Bradley has come in and assumed his backup ruckman duties with more skill, which leaves our startled rooster with not much of a look in anymore.  A bit of a shame, because I still think his instinctive style of play can help our clearances because he's tall, and just kicks forward if the ball falls in his hands.  I wouldn't get rid of him yet, but he will be on the fringe for a while.

28 - Ryan Murphy - out.  Has no impact at all on the game at AFL level, his famous straight kicking has deserted him totally when he has marked it, and has little defensive aspect to his game.  He has had an ample chance to prove himself, and for a while in 2006 looked the goods...but whatever was there just seems to have now vanished.

29 - Matthew Pavlich - captain, soul, spark, inspiration, deity.  Does everything but perhaps that last 10% of a defensive effort when his marks are spoiled and the opposition tear away.  Sadly, on many occasions this year it seems that Pav is valiantly trying to carry the entire team on those broad strapped shoulders, a feat not even he is capable of.  Brilliant player at the height of his powers.

30 - Marcus Drum - an enigma.  His best games have been as a forward, but the coaching panel seem intent on trying to nurture him as a defender.  I can't fault the logic behind this, but it hasn't really worked.  Still only 21 and could be a solid contributor for us in the years ahead.  Problem is, he's likely only to get games at the wrong end of the ground!

31 - Aaron Sandilands - thankfully no longer immobile as for large stretches of 2007.  Ruckmen are like vintage wine, and Sandi has matured wonderfully this year (no surprise given we were born in the same week).  Newfound confidence in his marking and ball handling have worked wonders - although set shot kicking is still an Achilles heel.  At his best, the finest ruckman in the league.  And the good news is that his best is now appearing more regularly.

32 - Peter Bell - and so the curtain has come down on a glittering career for the little master, typically with scant fanfare.  Lured to play on with what has now been shown as a false promise, and enduring a commute from hell for much of it, Belly's game was as professional and effective as ever despite all that.  May have been shown up as a tad too slow at times, but he won't simply fade away.  Hats off.

33  - Jeff Farmer - at certain times this year, The Wizard has seemed refreshed and as enterprising as ever.  At other times, his age seems to have caught up with him.  I think he has one more year of top class footy left in him, and he needs to groom successors while he can still have a big influence.  But one thing's for sure - I'll miss him when he's gone.

34 - Robert Warnock - I must confess I was a little iffy on his form early on.  But more recent weeks have demonstrated why it is important that the club re-signs him quick.  He and Sandi make for a devastating ruck combination on song, and both can play well while resting in the forward 50.  Is very lithe for such a big man and another guaranteed ruck is always handy.

35 - Garrick Ibbotson - From an inauspicious start last year, Garrick has suddenly become a valued regular.  I haven't been quite as awestruck with him as some other purple hearts, but at his best he's a valuable long kick who can score when required as well as help out in defence.  For this reason I look forward to seeing where he can take his career next.

36 - Andrew Browne - those notorious hamstrings have one last shot at standing up consistently, or it's all over for The Dealer.  Given that he has never had a real opportunity to cement his AFL career, now is the time for him to show what we've already seen - he has star ability and a quality game.  Ryley Dunn has almost done it, and I really hope Andrew does it too.

37 - Michael Johnson - another listless opening had me worried for Johnno.  For someone who could have been a colossus of the game come the end of 2006, it now seems that he's "only" a very talented player with freakish ability.  Has shown flashes of his best recently, but seems to lack confidence a lot of the time as well.  We do need him to grow into our CHB as the trio wind up.

40 - Andrew Foster - shame about his back trouble, because his one appearance for the year didn't really set the world on fire.  But we know what he's capable of, so I hope to see him out there in our revamped midfield all guns blazing in 2009.

41 - Paul Duffield - he never does anything badly, does the Duffman, but he never really stands out either.  Playing him as a forward raised my eyebrows a couple of times.  I'm not sure that there's anything he gives to the team that somebody can't do better now, or will do better in the future.

42 - Josh Head - David Mundy, please take note.  This man is older than you and playing for a possible career, and so far has done a lot of things better than you do these days.  One game does not a great career make, of course, but I was heartened to see this mature age recruit do well the second time around.  Would be glad to see some more of him.

43 - Roger Hayden - Only a genius would play out a game with a punctured lung.  'Tis true that Roger's unhappy knack for injuries has shortened his career, but like Grover and McPharlin he is the third strut holding out entire defence together and like them, his games this year have been great after some terrible moments early on.  Gives it everything, and for that we love him.

Apologies to Mssrs Smith, Mourish and Connelly - maybe one day, maybe not.

Overall, I think we have a solid team that is nowhere near the 14th best in the AFL.  I would caution against swinging the axe around madly come the end of the year - after all, M. Carr, Bell and McManus are obvious vacancies.  Thornton, Murphy and Duffield are also in my danger zone, as of course are Luke Webster and Andrew Browne if their bodies fail them again and Daniel Gilmore if we decide we have one utility too many. 

Farmer, Black and Josh Carr all have one more good year left.  Ryley Dunn has earnt a re-elevation to the senior squad.  As for draft talent, I personally think the defence is the area we need to concentrate on - one more good midfielder is needed, but the holy trio of Grover/McPharlin/Hayden aren't getting any younger and apart from MJ there aren't any replacements pending...

Anyway, that's what I reckon.  I'll be at Skilled Stadium on Saturday hoping for a replication of the game that saw us all over Geelong for 80% of our previous match.  One thing is for certain...it will not be a procession.

Freo forever!