Fremantle... good call or an utter disgrace?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Sure they could win next week, but i still don't think it is the right attitude for the shockers to use, considering their past record in the AFL. Fremantle has not been Geelong or St. kilda over the last 3-4 years.

Carlton will be salivating to rip them apart next week. Tanking for draft picks is one thing-Tanking before the finals I can never agree with.

Your implication of arrogance is so misplaced its funny.Nice flip flop. Freo are desperate to get their shot on the finals back on track. They need to have their best fit and fresh. They also need S'lands back as well.

Its hardly tanking when they were odds on to lose in Tasmania anyway on current form and with the definite outs they had.

Its hardly tanking when the aim is to maximise the limited opportunities they faced after R20 coming into the finals.

[Sir Why You Little 34,529]

Your implication of arrogance is so misplaced its funny.Nice flip flop. Freo are desperate to get their shot on the finals back on track. They need to have their best fit and fresh. They also need S'lands back as well.

Its hardly tanking when they were odds on to lose in Tasmania anyway on current form and with the definite outs they had.

Its hardly tanking when the aim is to maximise the limited opportunities they faced after R20 coming into the finals.

Of course its Tankiong, they didn't play to win. Simple.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Of course its Tankiong, they didn't play to win. Simple.

Tankiong?

They are actually doing it to better their chances in the finals (where it counts) with fit and fresh key players. Even simpler.

[Sir Why You Little 34,529]

Tankiong?

They are actually doing it to better their chances in the finals (where it counts) with fit and fresh key players. Even simpler.

Well i think it will massively backfire on them, and i actually hope it does. Teams are starting to forget its a 22 round season.

I don't think limping in ever gives any team a good chance.

Even with players to come back in, the opposition is going to be so fired up to kill them.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I don't think limping in ever gives any team a good chance.

That's what they probably would have done with Pavlich (groin), S'lands injured. B'tyne unavailable and Tarrant and Barlow out for the season anyway.

That's why they want to bring them back fresh for the R22 clash.

The game will be a cracker for both sides as a home final is at stake for both of them. They could potentially meet up again for the following week.

Its a desperate not arrogant ploy by Freo based on a side that could feel their season slipping as there key players succumbed to injury/form.

[tess 19]

Don't care about Fremantle. They can do whatever the hell they want - it has backfired and it's their problem.

Melbourne is all I care about and am glad we have never been beaten by more than 10 goals this season so far (with two rounds to go).

I am a better person for knowing this about you.

[Sir Why You Little 34,529]

That's what they probably would have done with Pavlich (groin), S'lands injured. B'tyne unavailable and Tarrant and Barlow out for the season anyway.

That's why they want to bring them back fresh for the R22 clash.

The game will be a cracker for both sides as a home final is at stake for both of them. They could potentially meet up again for the following week.

Its a desperate not arrogant ploy by Freo based on a side that could feel their season slipping as there key players succumbed to injury/form.

Its a 50/50 RR i can see there point, but its Fremantle. They have no past record to lean on, so i think it is arrogant as hell, but yes it will generate interest for next week.

and of course the AFL will say nothing about today. Admission should have been free in Tasmania at least.

[Chook 14,516]

Is it unethical to rest players today with an eye to winning tomorrow?

Is it unethical to rest players in the NAB Cup games, so that they are fresh for Home and Away games, given that they mean more?

Is it unethical to rest players in Home and Away games, so that they are fresh for Finals?

Is it unethical to train players so that they peak in the Finals, even at the expense of the present?

Is it unethical to rest players in the fourth quarter when you are a hundred points up, since the win is in the bag, even though you could still win by more?

Is it unethical keep your youngsters, rather than trading them for players who are more experienced and can win you more games now?

Is it unethical not to throw everything at a Grand Final, even if it might cost you future, sustained success?

Where is the line drawn? Do ethics even exist at all, if they are not universally applied? Surely inconsistent ethical principles are simply illogically applied social customs.

Edited August 21, 2010 by Chook

[1858 219]

Its a 50/50 RR i can see there point, but its Fremantle. They have no past record to lean on, so i think it is arrogant as hell, but yes it will generate interest for next week.

I agree with RR. There is more of a "rolling the dice" element to this than arrogance. Anyone could tell that they were slowing up and injuries were mounting. Some posters say they are flirting with their form but losing to Sydney at Subiaco is hardly form. If they aren't mentally affected from the loss and I doubt they would be, the benefit they will get is no different to a team having the week off in a finals series. Long trip, injured players, low chance of winning, 2 weeks before finals, a slog down in Tassie = a great game for a WA team to rest some core players. They'll run Carlton ragged next week on the big ground.

[DeezMan 4]

I am a better person for knowing this about you.

Can't help it - red and blue blood only I'm afraid.

Hope you like what you hear anyway, Tess!!

[gOLLy 401]

This could bite them on the bum or...take them deep into the finals....Time will tell.

[Freddy Fuschia 665]

If it all turns pear shaped for the Dockers and they find themselves bundled out after Week 1 of the finals then Mark Harvey might well find himself under the pump next year if they have a slow start to the season.

In any event, I think they'll struggle to turn the season around and they risk going out of 2010 with the odium of this performance hanging over their heads instead of the many good games of footy they played earlier on in the season.

[titan_uranus 22,391]

Agree but jury is out on whether the decision was justified.

True, the proof will be in the pudding of Friday night. My money's on a Docker win, but we'll see.

As has been mentioned, Freo had no form to flirt with. They were on their way to exiting the finals in the first week after what had been a very good season. Several players were clearly below their best. Their choices were to keep flogging a dead horse and see if it comes back to life or try something else. I would rest any player whose performance was likely to benefit from a week off. I'd be happy for the Dees to one day do the same if need be.

Exactly how I view it.

Who thinks Fremantle could have beaten Hawthorn with their best available side? I don't, and I doubt many do.

What is really interesting is to consider how we'd feel if we'd have beaten the hawks last week and were locked in a battle with them for (a realistic chance at) a finals spot.

I think the majority of posters on here would be ready to burn Mark Harvey at the stake.

I know North Melbourne supporters are less than amused. But again, they were never going to win that game anyway.

[WonnaJurah 5]

if hawks beat pies next week, then it could be hawks vs freo again in Melbourne

on second thogh i won on the fact of Lance Franklin 1st goal/Hawks 60+ odds were 25 dollars!

[GRUN DEE 69]

We were just as bad today!

I actually belive Freo probably would have beaten us today with there 2nd 22!

Worst performance of the round. Melbourne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[H_T 2,941]

Good call. (to the OP / topic).

[P-man 13,199]

Too bad for the people in Tassie who were treated to a Hawks training session.

Other fans would be quick to accuse us of hypcorisy for being critical of such a move, but regardless it definitely didn't sit right with me. No-one wants to see something like that from a top 8 side at the pointy end of the season, and I'm sure the younger players won't have gained too much from the experience other than a good dent to their confidence.

They sure as hell better win next week, for Harvey's sake.

Edited August 22, 2010 by P_Man

[John Crow Batty 8,255]

Amusing pontificating from many since our club is guilty of serial tanking for the past two seasons. Sure Freo's tactics were a disgrace and high risk but we'll see if they have worked after next week and what happens in the finals.

[beelzebub 22,225]

So much morality and high ground stuff. How dare a team attempt a tacticv to their advantage. They dont owe anyone anything. They need to do the best thing for thier own rewards. Its not outside of the laws of the game though some may suggest the spirit. But is it ? Its horses for courses. Freo dont owe the Kangas anything. If they ( Nth ) were relying on Freo then maybe Nth ought to have won a few more along the journey. Over the years the game has changed. Its methods morphed towards something almost unrecognisable.

In so many other sports the very best team is often kep for the really big games; weve simply been accustomed to this not ever being a trump card played in our beloved code. But given the ridiculous hoops Freo had to jump through just to get to that game Im not surprised a hard call was made . Its not everyones cup of tea but Im very curious to see if their gamble comes off. It might just change the game forever .

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

I think freo have run out of legs this season and I respect what they did with their list on the weekend. I think it gives them the best possible chance to win a final although it still may not happen.

I'm Waz by the way. I've been stalking the Demonology forums for about 2 years without being able to register.

Go Dees,

[H_T 2,941]

I think freo have run out of legs this season and I respect what they did with their list on the weekend. I think it gives them the best possible chance to win a final although it still may not happen.

I'm Waz by the way. I've been stalking the Demonology forums for about 2 years without being able to register.

Go Dees,

Welcome Waz. We'll find out Friday night I guess. They should have about 11-12 INS.

[titan_uranus 22,391]

Geelong had three late withdrawals today, Enright, Byrnes and Selwood.

Milne was a late withdrawal from St Kilda, and Johnson was a late withdrawal from Collingwood.

All those of you who complained about Fremantle want to have a go at those teams too? It might be of a lesser degree but they're doing the exact same thing: resting players with a view to the finals.

[45HG 1,539]

And Hawthorn rested Hodge.

[Hobbits's 17]

Geelong had three late withdrawals today, Enright, Byrnes and Selwood.

Milne was a late withdrawal from St Kilda, and Johnson was a late withdrawal from Collingwood.

All those of you who complained about Fremantle want to have a go at those teams too? It might be of a lesser degree but they're doing the exact same thing: resting players with a view to the finals.

bail and bennell ?

[titan_uranus 22,391]

bail and bennell ?

What's your point?