Fremantle Dockers off to strong start in 2022, even without injured skipper Nat Fyfe

The AFL season thus far has been a mix of the obvious - yes, Melbourne are a VERY good team again — and the surprising.

The early form from the likes of St Kilda, Carlton and Hawthorn has raised some eyebrows across the league — but perhaps nothing more so than the Fremantle Dockers, who lie second on the table after five rounds.

So far the Dockers' schedule has not been ultra-tough, with the Crows, Saints, Eagles, Giants and Bombers on the menu.

The team's thumping of Essendon at Docklands on Easter Sunday carries a warning, since the Bombers' defence was leaky, to say the least.

But as a signpost of where the Dockers could get to, it was an extremely positive outing for Justin Longmuir's men.

The hunting of the ball, the numbers around the contest, and the turnover-driven brand of football that some have compared at stages to the all-conquering Demons was all highly encouraging.

And the intriguing thing for Freo fans is that this is all taking place following the off-season departure of Adam Cerra to Carlton, and without the presence of the Purple Haze's famous number seven.

Nat Fyfe is struggling with a back injury, and the suggestion is that it will be close to the mid-season break before the dual Brownlow medallist is back on the park.

For the moment, that doesn't seem to be the barrier to week-to-week success it would have appeared like before this season.

There are a number of reasons for this, but the main one is the rise and rise of Andrew Brayshaw. At 22, the midfielder is absolutely starring for the Dockers.

No doubt the absence of Fyfe is giving him more opportunities to shine, but his confidence, his accuracy of disposal, his ability to go in and get the ball and his vision to set up attacks is vital for his side.

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