When Fremantle ushered in Ross Lyon as their new coach, it seemed that finally, the AFL’s least decorated club had found its ruthlessness to be successful. Nine rounds into the 2012 AFL season and that dream is turning into a nightmare.
Once again, it seems club Docker has erred towards making another rash decision in appointing Lyon.
2012 has seen a massive transformation at the Fremantle Football Club under Lyon. While comparatively, there are no major differences in stats between 2011 and 2012, the spirit and endeavour of the Fremantle side seems to have been lost in pre-season training.
Once a noble, spirited side, the current team are a pale shadow of their former selves, playing robotic stifling football that has no direction and no ‘B’ plan which was evident on Sunday in the derby.
The score of 5.6 (36) is just one stat that reflects the abysmal monotone nature of the Fremantle Football Club.
Against the Eagles on Sunday, the Dockers had 109 less disposals (294-403), 34 less inside 50s (34-60), a disposal efficiency of 67% (Eagles were 74%) and a staggering 68 less marks against the Eagles (68-136).
Fremantle are still 5-4 and still have time to fix it but with matches against resurgent teams in Adelaide and Richmond, the Dockers’ chances of finals are slimming by the day.
With this in mind, the question must be asked; were Fremantle right in sacking Mark Harvey for Lyon?
My answer is the same as it was when the deal was announced. No.
For all his faults, Harvey was unlucky last year not to make the finals with such a talented team. The players are attack-minded and when playing well, were a force in 2011.
When Lyon came to the club, I thought he could do Blighty at the Crows or a Rodney Eade at the Bulldogs and change his gameplan to suit the talent.
But he has resorted to a neo-conservative defensive gameplan in an effort to stifle oppositions.
It is a gameplan that worked at St Kilda (Lyon’s era was the most successful since the mid-60s) but is failing at Fremantle.
Mark Robinson of Fox Footy’s AFL 360 made an accurate point about why Fremantle are struggling under the new gameplan; Fremantle do not have the cattle for his gameplan.
Where St Kilda had the hardened footballers of Dal Santo, Riewolt, Milne, Hayes etc, Fremantle have a different complexion.
Players such as Stephen Hill, Nate Fyfe (until injured), Hayden Ballentine while good, lack that battle-hardened ethos Lyon’s game style demands.
Lyon however, continues to implement a plan where he does not have the cattle and he is fighting teams with a gameplan that is quickly becoming outdated.
Lyon was brought in to improve the Fremantle side but after nine rounds, the Dockers have not improved in season 2012 and seem to be heading backwards.
Players, who were outstanding in 2011, look lost in 2012, struggling in the new claustrophobic conditions imposed by Lyon.
Fremantle made a mistake in appointing Ross Lyon, who is a good coach in the wrong settings.
The club needed someone who could use the talents at his disposal, not a coach who is trying to build something with the wrong tools.
Simon
Guest
Interesting article. I wonder if Johno's answer will be the same to his question now? It seemed a little premature to judge a coach nine games into their new position. Since that particular Derby loss. Fremantle went on to make its fourth finals apperance in its history. Won its first away final at the MCG against Geelong. The following year made the top 4 and Grand Final for the first time. A lot to achieve in 15 months after this article was published. Not having a go, just don't be so quick to judge.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Thanks.
Redb
Roar Guru
Won't help mate. St Kilda built their list off priority picks with some of the best players in the comp and they couldnt be set free to kill sides. Freo cant rebuild unless they bottom out for a few years. St Kilda in its dominant 2009 year was killed by speed - Essendon in Round 20. The game plan exposed - now all sides are beating it.
brendan
Guest
This is the year too keep your mouth shut the moment you say a sides flag favourite they lose and as soon as you write them off they win.If Fremantle win against Adelaide they are still a top four chance and if the Crows lose they are back with four or five sides in with a chance.Lyon deserves at least a season before the knives are out but in general i am not a big fan of his coaching style.
Why wouldn't Roos defend him? He taught his team to play the same boring football.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
This morning before work I caught part of the second quarter of the 2001 Western Derby they were replaying for Chooseday Night football - open, free flowing, great game (but it was that HORRIBLE ochre eagles jersey).
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Disposal Efficiency.
GrantS
Guest
I know I'm not Robinson Crusoe here but it comes as no surprise to me that Lyon's game plan has not suited the (previously) attacking Dockers team. The majority of Aussie Rules fans hate the negative style football dished out by Ross Lyons and it is surprising that the Fremantle management went for him when other coaches were available. The sentiments expressed by Mark McClure on Foxsports, that this coach is destroying football, are IMO, valid. However, as pointed out in many of the replies, it is far too early to judge Lyons and I think it more appropriate to wait until the end of next season to see if he has a positive or negative effect on the Fremantle Football Club.
GrantS
Guest
"Freo have lost to teams above them but not currently below." As there are more teams above them than below this means they will lose a lot more games which will mean that there will be even more teams above them so they will..............etc.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
The destruction in the clearances in the latter quarters was amazing.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
But it might at least get him a team suited to his game plan since he doesn't seem to be clever enough to create a game plan for his team!
Redb
Roar Guru
Changing the list won't fix the game plan.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Kuruki, Because, in the view of the club's board, their old style wasnt ever going to win them a premiership.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Why is Fremantle trying to play a hard smothering defensive game when clearly they have young players suited to a more fast paced open running style?. They don't have the hard bodied midfielders, Mundy is far from his best form. Mzungu and Barlow who often found open pastures to rack up possessions are being suffocated by their own coach. Ballantyne has had his wings clipped and his influence is now rarely seen. Sandilands dominates the hitouts every week but Freo get smashed in the clearances. How Zac "Spud" Dawson has been starting over Silvagni all season is beyond me. Greg Broughton has spent so much time on the bench yet when he is on the paddock his effect around the stoppages is noticeable often hitting his targets going forward. Lyon is a selfish coach who is trying to stamp his own style on a club that is not suited to it.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
DE?
Taylor
Guest
I'd rather have Damian drum or mark Harvey than Lyons. Drum had the right idea and game plan but had old expired players to work with. Harvey best coach freo had but last year had half a team through injuries and still done better than Lyons . Hang Lyons now get a new coach or get Harvey bsck
T
Guest
As per usual, the footy media, both amateur and professional, are extremely reactive when it comes to publishing stories of the week. I was at a luncheon at Patersons where Mark Nicoski was speaking at half time, and he believed that his teamates would overrun the Dockers in the second half due to superior fitness, and he was dead right. The Dockers looked buggered and the Eagles came out flying. I think the Dockers will come good, after all they have shown they have potential after beating Geelong and the Saints in Melbourne. 5-4 is still pretty good, compared to Neeld's horrendous Demons who are winless and aimless. In the wise words of Rachel Hunter, it won't happen overnight but it will happen!
DanMan
Guest
As much as I like to see the Dockers struggle I think Lyon will be ok in the longer run. Freo have always been a weak side. Harvey started to bring a bit of steel in but Lyon will go the whole hog. I'm not surprised Freo have had lapses recently as Lyon demands a very disciplined game plan and Freo have never been this type of team. It will take time and if after 2 years they are still nowhere pav and sandi will retire and that I believe will start yet another rebuild.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
He has picked up some injury woes - I think being rushed back last year took some time of his career in the long run. I don't really know why he's trying to apply that game plan to that playing group. I really don't. That playing group was not built for that style of play and unless he can pull off the busiest and most successful trading week in the history of the AFL this off-season I do not see where he will get this list from.
Redb
Roar Guru
Is Sandilands injured? If not its up to the coach to get the best out of him and adjsut the game plan to suit. Freo has talent but it appears to be wasted on the overtly defensive game plan of Ross Lyon. Only Paul Roos defends him , he blames the Freo players. Most sides have worked out how to counter the flood, frontal pressure,etc. They win contested ball and then use outside running speed and quick kicks to break it down. Lyon's game plan is redundant.