What's in their favour? The Dockers have the capacity to rebound successfully from a hugely disappointing 2007, coach Mark Harvey having now had a full pre-season to set a course for his players, key men Aaron Sandilands and Jeff Farmer ready to deliver full seasons again, Dean Solomon and Chris Tarrant with a year in Perth under their belts, and Essendon pair Mark Johnson and Kepler Bradley having boosted senior depth further. Skipper Matthew Pavlich, Tarrant and Farmer form potentially one of the AFL's most explosive forward set-ups.

What's not? Fremantle has lost a huge amount of experience in its defensive end with the retirement of games record-holder Shane Parker and Robert Haddrill, plus the delisting of James Walker. The Dockers' midfield remains stodgy and solid rather than spectacular, and the loss for the season of Paul Hasleby with a knee reconstruction is a potentially crushing blow given his ball-winning capacity. A notoriously erratic playing group, which couldn't string together more than two straight wins last year, still appears to lack mental resilience.

Stepping into the spotlight? Robert Warnock, the young ruckman who shouldered a big burden last year after Sandilands was injured, is agile and a strong mark, and with a good pre-season under his belt, looks set to go on with it now. Draftee Rhys Palmer played plenty of senior WAFL football last year, has pace to burn and, with Hasleby's injury, will get plenty of midfield opportunity. Highly talented Michael Johnson is being groomed for a role as a tall and athletic midfielder, and Des Headland has burned in pre-season work and will also spend more time in the engine room.

In their wildest dreams? A side that was a game away from a grand final just two seasons ago is entitled to believe it can still aspire to the top four. The Dockers need key men such as Sandilands and Farmer to stand up and Pavlich to pull out yet another magnificent season, but can challenge most opponents should that happen.

The reality? Unless it has finally developed a more stubborn streak over the past summer, Freo will continue to exhilarate at times and exasperate at others. The Subiaco factor still looms as a big advantage, but eight losses from 10 road games doesn't inspire much confidence there will be finals football in 2008.

ROBERT WALLS 3rd It's time for Fremantle to deliver or wither. The list is old and experienced, with a sprinkling of premiership players. New coach Mark Harvey needs to crack the whip to get the AFL's best underperformers to play consistently well. I think he will achieve his aim.

ROHAN CONNOLLY 13th Too inconsistent and unpredictable to pencil into the eight no matter the quality of the names at the top end of the list such as Pavlich, Sandilands, Farmer, Tarrant and co. Will win plenty at home but probably drop as many away.