Xavier Ellis: The one Docker that opposition clubs must tag - and it’s not Caleb Serong or Andrew Brayshaw

FREMANTLE The finals race is down to nine and nine only. Clubs often break their season into small blocks within a season. A successful four-week block will not only see the Dockers secure themselves a finals berth, but open the door to a home final, or better still, a top-four finish. In the next four weeks, Fremantle play St Kilda, Sydney, Hawthorn and Collingwood. They need to tick three of those boxes, at a minimum. What I liked If was preparing to play against the Dockers, the first player I would try and eliminate from the game is Jordan Clark. Tagging is in vogue at the moment and Clark offers something the other Docker defenders cannot: Speed! 33 disposals off half-back will cause grief to any opposition. Granted, he butchered the footy a few times by foot, but Jordan Clark is integral and offers something his teammates don’t particularly have. What I didn’t like Hard to be critical of Thursday’s night’s performance, but I would say I am always wary when the defenders have a high number of marks. Luke Ryan took 12, Brennan Cox nine and Clark eight. The game was bruise-free footy for the most part, which can naturally lean towards a slow uncontested style. Which can also be the Dockers’ downfall. What I’d like to see Selection integrity is a must when chasing the ultimate success. Last week we saw Sean Darcy sit out, and Luke Jackson shone. The phrase ‘horses for courses’ couldn’t ring truer for the Dockers. Some good players aren’t walk-up starts, nor should be. WEST COAST The Eagles, on the other hand, don’t have a great deal to play for. The wooden spoon is theirs and theirs only. I am a believer with the way the AFL draft and free agency is structured that if you’re going to be bad, you might as well be really bad. What I liked This week common sense has prevailed with Oscar Allen headed for surgery. I felt as though the club was playing with fire by allowing Allen to play, risking their future free agency compensation (Pick 2). Oscar has every right to leave the struggling club via free agency but playing him was far too risky. What I didn’t like The unfortunate conclusion to future Hall of Famer Jeremy McGovern’s career. Footy is a job for Gov, and risking his future health isn’t worth it. I am glad to see he is walking away from the game with his future health somewhat protected. Being medically retired is a tough pill to swallow, but we need to protect the players from themselves at times. What I would like to see Keep Tyrell Dewar in defence and continue to find a way to get him involved. He might be the find of the season for the Eagles.