The Fremantle Dockers were one of the last teams (excluding the two franchises added in the last four years) never to appear in the Grand Final before last year, when their defensive prowess under coach Ross Lyon knocked elite teams from their pedestals until they reached the 2013 final, where they were overwhelmed by the Hawthorn Hawks, losing 77-62 after coming back from five goals down in the first half. In 2014, they fought their way back into another top four position entering finals, but were knocked off by Port Adelaide in the second round.
While known for their stifling defense, the Dockers are loaded with star players as well - Hayden Ballentine, Matthew Pavlich, and AFLPA player of the year Nat Fyfe lead a potent offense that should have the Dockers in the playoffs for several more years to come.
Their American counterpart: The New Jersey Devils
Martin Brodeur has been the linchpin for the Devils in goal for so many years, it's hard to remember a time when the Devils weren't in contention. But with stars like Jaromir Jagr and Patrick Elias in front of him, New Jersey has the potential to win the Stanley Cup each and every year - as far as their defense can take them, and a hot goaltender is the most valuable possession in sports.
Like Fremantle, the New Jersey Devils are sometimes an after thought in their own market, sitting in the shadow of the two storied New York clubs, the Rangers and the Islanders. Fremantle shares Patterson Stadium with the West Coast Eagles, former AFL champions and the definitive "pretty boy" in the WA (western Australia) market of Perth and Fremantle and beyond. But like the Devils, the Dockers have enjoyed more consistent success on and off the playing surface over the last couple of years, and Fremantle should be considered one of the favorites again coming into 2015.
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