Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is feeling so invigorated by the club's youth, his house has become a feasting hot-spot for the team's first-year AFL players.
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Serious doubts were raised about Lyon's ability to rebuild a list when the Dockers bottomed out in 2016.
But the 12th-year coach has been able to silence the doomsayers so far, with the Dockers sitting nicely at 3-2 heading into Sunday's western derby against West Coast.
Five players have made their AFL debuts for Fremantle this season, adding to the glut of youngsters who were thrown into the deep end last year.
Lyon has enjoyed the influx of youth so much, he has started inviting them over for dinner.
"When you first come over and they're all mature, you don't get the kids over for dinner. You leave them alone," Lyon said.
"But (now) they're constantly cycling over for dinner, those first-year players. They bring a vibrancy to you.
"There's going to be some ups and downs but it is an exciting time.
"It's certainly helped me.
"You feel a responsibility, and our senior players feel the responsibility to train them up the right way and play football the right way.
"Because if you lose them early, it can be hard to get them back."
Lyon is widely known as a task master. It's a trait that has a tendency to burn people out.
But he feels he has gotten the balance right this year.
"As a coach, I feel I've really grown and developed," Lyon said.
"And my coaching panel, we're as harmonious and sharing the load and responsibilities as we've ever had.
"And that's reflected in the harmony in the player group."
Sunday's derby is one of the most anticipated in years.
Both teams are performing well and it will also be the first derby at the new Optus Stadium.
A crowd of about 58,000 is expected.
Fremantle will enjoy the bulk of support given it is their home game.
And extra spice was added to the derby when the clubs engaged in a war of words earlier this week over the naming of the Ross Glendinning medal.
Lyon is looking forward to the contest and he wants to see how his young team handle the pressure.
"We understand the spotlight gets stronger and you like to perform under the spotlight," Lyon said.
"That's what high performing teams and high performing individuals do."
Australian Associated Press
