Nathan O’Driscoll brings X-factor to Fremantle Dockers’ flagging bid to return to finals

Fremantle winger Nathan O’Driscoll’s return to the team might come as a surprise, but the timing is perfect.

If ever there was X-factor written all over a player it is O’Driscoll.

The sort of player who could kick three in a quarter to turn a grand final – on pressure intended, but O’Driscoll reeks of big-game potential with his body comfortable and his lethal left foot on song.

There are four non-negotiables that teams must carry into September if they want to go deep: Form/momentum, a complete buy-in to the game plan, a bit of luck with injuries at the top end of the list and players who can do the unexpected against the flow.

The Dockers are yet to tick all of those boxes – and a fit Josh Treacy and Sean Darcy will help – but O’Driscoll can help to lift the team in the last category if he can build into some confidence.

His goal against Geelong on the run in 2022 is evidence of what he can bring to the big stage.

The 22-year-old left-footer has taken the hard route to get back into the team after a season held back by injuries.

He had a short pre-season, played three WAFL games before being sent for knee surgery and did not play again until round 14 and has had 23 disposals twice and 28 in his past three games.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has always said they are a “two ruckman” team with Darcy and Luke Jackson.

But Jackson often struggles as the main man. His value is in the forward line and as a burst ruckman – as he proved in his 2021 grand final performance for Melbourne.

But with Darcy still injured and Jackson coming off a loss to Geelong’s Rhys Stanley, the timing is also perfect for Liam Reidy to make his AFL debut.

The 24-year-old Reidy will make his debut as the Dockers’ No .1 ruckman that will give Longmuir the luxury of playing Jackson as a starting forward. The flow-on effects might be huge for Dockers forwards Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss with Treacy still missing.