If they were deciding the AFL premiership for performance in the face of adversity, Fremantle would just about have the 2013 flag already in its keeping.

The Dockers sit fourth on the ladder with seven wins and a draw from 10 starts, one of the two losses by just four points, and all without their No. 1 ruckman, two of his obvious replacements, their captain and runner-up in last year's Coleman Medal, plus their second most important forward and a key midfielder.

Docker power: Fremantle's Michael Barlow (left) and Cameron Sutcliffe celebrate a goal. Credit:Getty Images

It's been a stoic effort, typified by Saturday's gutsy away win over a determined Adelaide. And when you consider that resilience, the draw ahead and the talent still to return to the Dockers' line-up, it becomes clearer that Fremantle has a very realistic chance of ending up not just with "honourable premiership" this season, but the real thing.

It seems every football year needs a team that isn't talked about much but ends up being a very real premiership chance. Now that Sydney, the traditional holder of that mantle, is back to its very best, it's Freo fitting the bill.