Last season Freo lost more games from clangers, inaccuracy and butchering the ball than any other club despite a solid game plan. Had their fair share of injuries also. They lost possibly a top four position as well as finals appearances because of this. This season so far they have cleaned up their game. They will be a force.

Edited April 24, 20222 yr by John Crow Batty

Freo and Swans have built fantastic young lists and will contend for years to come. Swans got the benefit of all the academy picks have lead to multiple guns. They will be our main competition for the next 3-4 years.

Dockers have a good defence.  In their 5 winning games they have given up scores of:  82 (Crows), 47 (Eagles), 54 (Giants), 59 (Ess) and 62 Carlton.  That is very similar to our goal since 2020 of keeping the ops to about 60pts a game.

Freo are September bound.  Not so sure about Saints and Carlton.  Saints (and some other teams) could get in on a 'Bradbury' basis.  Bulldogs have very slim chance as they need to win at least 11 of the next 16 games to be certain.

I watched the second half last night and Carlton were like witches hats.  So many easy possessions by Freo without anyone chasing or pressure. 

I look forward to when the newbie clubs in the top 8 start playing some of the stronger defensive clubs in the top 8.  Then we get a real gauge on how good they are.

Fremantle's as serious a contender this year as anyone.

Right now I'd say the flag is going to be won by one of these clubs: us, Brisbane, Fremantle, Sydney, Geelong and St Kilda.

The good news is three of that group barely play on the MCG (Brisbane, Fremantle and St Kilda), whilst Sydney and Geelong only get 3-4 games a year there.

The bad news is if we slip up, and we do have a rough fixture (Brisbane away (and home), Fremantle away (and home), Geelong in Geelong, St Kilda and Sydney all still to come), top 2 could prove vital.

Just now, Lucifers Hero said:

Dockers have a good defence.  In their 5 winning games they have given up scores of:  82 (Crows), 47 (Eagles), 54 (Giants), 59 (Ess) and 62 Carlton.  That is very similar to our goal since 2020 of keeping the ops to about 60pts a game.

Freo are September bound.  Not so sure about Saints and Carlton.  Saints (and some other teams) could get in on a 'Bradbury' basis.  Bulldogs have very slim chance as they need to win at least 11 of the next 16 games to be certain.

I watched the second half last night and Carlton were like witches hats.  So many easy possessions by Freo without anyone chasing or pressure. 

I look forward to when the newbie clubs in the top 8 start playing some of the stronger defensive clubs in the top 8.  Then we get a real gauge on how good they are.

Agree re: Fremantle.

I can totally understand why the jury would still be out for you (and anyone else) on St Kilda. For me it's line ball. But on your last line, St Kilda played Fremantle in Perth and beat them. That has to be accepted as a strong win now that we see what Fremantle is capable of.

The Shockers are a good side this year

Longmuir knows his stuff, but the surface they played on last night was a billiard table. 
i wonder how they will stack up on a wet cold july day. Keeps the pressure on The MFC though, and that is a good thing 

2 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

i wonder how they will stack up on a wet cold july day.

This is why we DON'T want a huge undercover training facility. Give us Gosch's and Casey. No mollycoddling. Leave that to the clubs who prefer to stay indoors when it's a bit inclement.

If North could hit a target inside 50, they would be up with the Cats. Matching the Cats everywhere except across half forward. 

Geelong kicking into gear now. Cameron could have a double digits sort of day if this continues

29 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

This is why we DON'T want a huge undercover training facility. Give us Gosch's and Casey. No mollycoddling. Leave that to the clubs who prefer to stay indoors when it's a bit inclement.

Spot on. It is a winter sport 

North are rubbish

29 minutes ago, BDA said:

North are rubbish

Breaking news this 

Two random observations:

1) Dermott is the only person on the planet to call Brad Johnson “Bradley”

2) Holmes is an impressive young player. Not surprised Taylor and Co were really keen on this kid in the 2020 draft.

 

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

Breaking news this 

First time watching them play this year. They were on the improve towards the end of last season I thought but their skills today were terrible 

6 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Great to see West Coast get smashed again last night.  Have seen this comming for a long time with the top heavy age profile of their list.

It would be the first time in thier history, as they usually seem to bonce back into contention fairly quickly, but I'm hoping they are in for a long rebuilding process having given up overs for Tim Kelly and holding onto the veterans for too long in a Hawthorn/Geelong like manner of trying to squeeze one last flag out of the current group mentality.

I too am happy to see the meth heads in pugatory for awhile. However on a serious note am really curious to see if Simmo uses this downtime to reinvent his game plan. I quite like him despite everything and have a sneaky feeling he knows his kick/mark retain possession gameplan is done. I'd be impressed if he a) lasts and doesn't get binned, and more so b) comes up with an alternate gameplan. Most coaches are pretty bloody minded. His demeanor during adversity has actually increased my respect for him. That said loving that Optus is no longer a fortress.

GC really is where talented players go to lose confidence, ability and effort. Rowell, Anderson and Rankine are going backwards.

2 minutes ago, Return to Glory said:

GC really is where talented players go to lose confidence, ability and effort. Rowell, Anderson and Rankine are going backwards.

Bad kicking is bad footy, if they could kick straight it’s a contest, but they do work too hard for each goal. Bizarre that after everything gifted to them they’re still years away from contending. 

Zac bailey can play, 5 straight is a great outing

Lachie Neale is allowed to run 25m without bouncing to score a goal.

21 hours ago, The Swimming Dee said:

Is Jack Martin the most over paid player in the comp? 

McGovern.

6 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Under Buckley, Collingwood finished lower on the ladder every season until they got an assistant coach called Longmuir.

Longmuir revolutionised their snail-like sideways ball movement and got them into a grand final. As soon as he was gone, they reverted and immediately went back down the ladder.

Freo are a dangerous side for any team and can't be taken lightly. Only need a bit to go wrong on the day and they could get the choccies.

Great post about Longmuir.
 

Agreed. Freo move the ball quickly, they hit their targets, their backline is in sync with each other and most importantly they play team footy. They really took Carlton apart and Cripps was the only player that could stand up just because of the player he is, everyone else was nullified. How ordinary did they make Carltons forward line look?
 

Confidence can do wondrous things for a team and Freo look like they’re invested in this game plan. 
 

They play Geelong down at GMHBA, will be a good barometer of where they’re at. 
 

 

Sydney, Freo, Brisbane and next year the Blues will be in furious competition to finish runners up the next 4 years

21 hours ago, binman said:

And Darcy calls one wing the commentator side and the other wing the far side.

Really painting a picture.

For those who know where he is sitting.

Apparently he's a real wa*ker

1 minute ago, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Apparently he's a real wa*ker

Luke "I thought I believed X, but when Eddie said he believes Y, I realised I believe Y also" Darcy