The last six weeks have been fairly tough going for the Dockers. There is no doubt the team is in good shape for the future, but by the same token it is disappointing that Chris Connolly and his team haven't risen to the several challenges thrown up at them in recent times to take the next step as a football team. Both in 2002 and 2003, the team met the challenges they were given and succeeded much to the delight of the long suffering fans.

Now, when expectations are a little higher, but by no means for a premiership, the tough games against the tough teams have left us scratching our heads as in each game the Dockers were made to look like pretenders rather than up and coming contenders:

Round 10: v Essendon

A very disappointing result. For the entire game the players looked like bunnies in the headlights and Essendon creamed us for the quarters that mattered. The second half fight back was piece meal because Essendon, fired up for a tough match took the foot off the pedal when realising that type of effort needn't be wasted on us.

Round 11: v Melbourne

Another tough challenge against a team in form lead to disappointment for Dockers fans. In front for most of the day but having not put enough scoreboard pressure on Melbourne to save face against the torrential wind in rain which the Demons kicked with in the last quarter to snatch a precious four points from the Dockers on their home turf.

Round 12: v Richmond

Instead of looking a cut above in class to the hapless Richmond, the Dockers played at their level and were down by 7 goals at one stage in the second quarter. If Richmond knew how to win it would have been all over, but the choke factor and the tenacity of Schammer and Browne got us over the line barely in time.

Round 13: v Port Adelaide

In a fantastic game, the Dockers put in their best effort this year against a top team. To lose was no disgrace because Port have an average age of 28 and are in premiership mode. However, it was still a failed challenge and the loss of more precious home ground points. The "House of Pain" tag was beginning to fray at the edges.

Round 14: v The Western Bulldogs

The Dockers put in a reasonable effort against a seriously undersized Bulldogs to win comfortably. The forward line functioned for one of the few times this year with everyone contributing. However, it is a lot easier when playing against skinny kids rather than players in their prime.

Round 15: v The Kangaroos

Another home loss, after a burst in the first quarter most thought this could get real ugly, but the stingy Roos defense batted down the hatches, and Archer pantsed Medhurst, Makepiece outplayed Farmer and their talls held sway in the air for much of the night. In what was a must win game, Connolly took a huge gamble by playing Thornton on Rocca for much of the evening, resulting in a six goal haul for the big fella, keeping them in it until the last quarter burst by Wells and Motlop stole yet more points away from Subiaco.

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