Football Manager's Review of 2013

2013 can best be described as a year of missed opportunities.

We will look back in all three grades and think about the number of games lost by less than a couple of kicks, especially when it seemed we controlled those games for long periods of the day.  But I think it’s best not to dwell too long on what might have been, and although there is a level of disappointment with the outcome of the year, there is still much to celebrate in season 2013.

• Our Foxtel Cup campaign.  Not only in making the Grand Final, but the way our Club and all those associated with the Foxtel Cup embraced the opportunity to travel and play on the national stage.  I am pretty sure I won’t see another score like 2.16 in my time again.
• Whilst we didn’t quite get the AFL players back week to week like previous years, it provided an opportunity for a number of younger players to play senior football.  To now have a number of players play around the 20 game plus will hold us in good stead for the future.
• In combination with the point above we also had a very successful year in developing players from within our District.  Thirty five of the forty five (76%) players who played senior football in 2013 (included Foxtel Cup and AFL listed players) have come from our District, which is a great result.  Along with this are the 11 players from the 2010 Colts Premiership team that played senior football this year.
• 3 WA State representatives; Steven Dodd, Andrew Stephen and Rory O’Brien who played against the VFL and were part of the first winning team v the Vics in 21 years.
• We had 8 players selected in the State 18’s and 3 in the State 16’s, further enhancing the reputation of the East Fremantle Academy program. 
• 4 players from the 2013 Colts side have made the Colts team of the year, Aliir Aliir, Patrick Cripps, Jared Jansen and Jacob Green.  To cap off a tremendous season, Colts Captain, Jacob Green was also named the Jack Clarke Medallist as the Colts Competition Fairest and Best Player for 2013.
• 5  players have been nominated for the National AFL Combine and 2 for the State Combine.
• There have been many off field successes this year as well.  Our community partnerships and club functions, for example our Club Auction, were fantastic and we look forward to building on that in 2014.
• We have an amazing group of staff, volunteers, support staff and supporters.  At the risk of missing someone I won’t mention names but your support, effort and diligence has been greatly appreciated by all.  A job well done and thank you.

So from here we undergo our reviews.  We will look at what worked well, what didn’t and how we can improve in all areas to get back to the top where we belong.

All the best for the offseason.  I look forward to the challenges that the new season will bring.

Darryn Fry
Football Manager
East Fremantle Football Club