Patrick Dangerfield of the Crows tackled by Paul Hasleby of the Dockers during the AFL Round 15 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at AAMI Stadium. The Slattery Media Group
You’d be hard pressed to come up with superlatives to describe how bad Fremantle were against Adelaide. They could only muster a solitary point in the first half and would kick just one goal for the entire match.
For this to happen in the AFL in 2009 is simply unacceptable.
A scorecard such as this is embarrassing for all concerned. With Melbourne winning, Fremantle have slumped into last place on percentage.
They just don’t seem to be responding to the coaching of Mark Harvey. When he took over in the middle of the 2007 season, they won four of seven, then six games in 2008 and now just three from 15.
If they take the wooden spoon, you couldn’t see him being given another season. Fremantle has never appointed a senior coach who had previous AFL head coaching experience. They need to get rid of Harvey and find themselves a coach who can knock this club into shape.
Coaching Carousel Spins at Richmond
Speaking of coaches, is it a good thing or bad thing for Richmond that Kevin Sheedy has withdrawn himself from the coaching race? It appears as though the two were never destined to come together in terms of Sheedy coaching at Punt Road.
He made some comments in making his announcement, the most interesting of which was : “They haven’t had a top-class coach since Tom Hafey left in 1976. If they don’t think they need an experienced coach, good luck to them.”
Maybe he forgot that Allan Jeans coached there for a year, but then again Jeans’ 5-17 record was hardly memorable. Wonder what his former team-mates in Tony Jewell, Francis Bourke, Kevin Bartlett and John Northey would think of this?
Buddy Comes to Life
It was good to see the Buddy of old against North Melbourne. Four goals in the last quarter by Franklin saved the small aspirations the Hawks have in terms of defending their title.
It is interesting though how everything can go from effortless to proving such a struggle. Hawthorn fans are probably wondering why it has taken two thirds of the season for form like this to appear and then just in the last quarter.
The team seems to be mired in a rut and requires Houdini-like escapism to win games. The chemistry the team had in 2008 is gone, but don’t be surprised if it reappears in 2010 – it’s just that mercurial.
Micky You’re So Fine
The Magpies have won seven in a row and are looming as a darkhorse to topple the St Kilda – Geelong applecart.
These wins seem to have complicated the coaching situation at Collingwood as it was assumed that Mick Malthouse would be on his way out after the current season. If the Magpies wanted to get rid of Malthouse, this shouldn’t affect their thinking. If they win the flag, how could he top that?
After having climbed the mountain for the third time, at 56 years of age would he have the motivation to do it again? But whatever happens, this games streak proves that Malthouse is a quality coach. He has achieved results everywhere he has been and when you win over 50% of the games you coach over a 25 year period you have to be good.
St Kilda Keep on Keeping On
Even when they are struggling, to beat the Eagles in Perth is an achievement.
At three-quarter time scores were all level between the two but the Saints found that extra gear to blow the Eagles out of it. Four goals in the first five minutes sealed the deal. This is the sign of a quality team.
Whenever St Kilda has been challenged they have found a way to win; found a way to break free. This is important now but even more important in the finals when it matters less so how you when and more so that you do.
Every week it seems to be different players who put up their hand which is another sign of a team which is really purring along.
Can they keep this up or will their history catch up with them?
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