FD02e Year Book 2002-REV - Fremantle Football Club

the season in profileEarning respectin the AFLIN SEASON 2002, theClub’s improved on-fieldperformances were areflection of an emergingand exciting young teamthat is continuallydeveloping with each game.Under new Senior CoachChris Connolly, the teamprovided clear signs thatthe team is on track to be aconsistent finals contender.The team restored SubiacoOval as a venue to be afeared by visiting teams andattracted more people tothe home and away seasonthan at any other time inthe Club’s history.At season’s end, Fremantlehad achieved the highestgrowth in aggregate homeand away attendances ofany Club in the AFL.This achievement wascapped of with the round16 clash with West Coastin the 16th Western Derbythat attracted a recordhome and away crowd atSubiaco Oval of 41,779.And the ever increasingcrowds were treated tosome memorable momentsincluding the resoundingdefeat of 2002 grandfinalists Collingwood in theClub’s first true blockbustergame, last gasp wins overSt Kilda and Melbourne, andcomprehensive defeats ofEssendon, Hawthorn andWest Coast.The team delivered somegreat performances duringthe year. There were alsomany outstanding individualperformances during theseason, particularly CaptainPeter Bell who led the AFLin total disposals and TroyCook, the AFL’s leadingtackler.While the Club was themost travelled team in theAFL in 2002 spending moretime in the air and atairports than any otherteam, Steven Koops didsome additional flying onhis own taking the AFL’sMark of the Week on threeconsecutive weeks inrounds 14, 15 and 16,a feat never beforeachieved. The screameragainst the Kangaroos inRound 15 was a contenderfor Mark of the Year.Everyone will have theirown special memories of2002. When the season isreviewed in its entirety,complete with all its upsat home and downs on theroad, there is no doubt thatthe Fremantle Football Clubis on track to achieveits objectives.Fremantle Football Club 2002 Year Book 21