I’ve watched the Fremantle Dockers since inception. They have never played a better three quarters of football in their entire history than that against Essendon on Saturday night. Never!
They have a great future. The three talls were sensational and only McPhee and Mazungoo could look back and say they were less skilful than their opponents. Ross Lyon would be a proud man.
For 70 minutes they were as well organised, as tall, as game, as skilful, as good as one could expect a team in the AFL to be. They were top two material.
If there were any doubts about Essendon’s ‘greatness’ under James Hird, they were dispelled. With that kind of performance from Hurley they are top four material in what is a sensational competition. (This was spoiled only by the Umpiring Instructions handed down by the AFL… stick the whistle in your pockets boys, do us all a favour.)
You don’t come to Subiaco and run all over the Dockers in the final term and for that critical five minutes of the third in the manner they did. No one does that to the Dockers.
The following was a big plus: Essendon had perfect travel, hotel and rest preps for the game. Essendon ran to the scoring end in the final quarter and kicked five goals to one behind.
Fremantle kicked 12.2 to the Fremantle or scoring end of the park in the first and third quarters and 2.2 to the city end in the second and fourth.
Essendon has almost everything it takes to win a title except a third tall rucking type.
The ground was firm as a bowling green, there was no wind, and the conditions were dry and cool-perfect for perfect football.
If you took a line through last night, Fremantle could be the smokey in the pack over the 24 games. Mayne and a couple of the other boys are pretty sore but that aside, they came through unscathed.
I thought Ross Lyon could have set the tone last night in the last quarter for a rabid finish. But he backed off attack and settled into something of a zone defence. You can’t let yourself get attacked in this league.
He had to score the first two goals of the last quarter because they had allowed Essendon the sniff they needed in the last few minutes of the third quarter.
The rules of the game are set up for you to attack. If the AFL wants teams to run out a 24 game season then they need to ensure the substitutions are sufficient to allow it.
Hawthorn, Adelaide, Essendon, West Coast, Collingwood and Sydney is where it is at right now.
johno
Guest
The upside for Freo is that they have quality still to come back in. Hill, Morabito, Fyfe, Sandilands and Ballantyne should add polish to the team from the weekend just gone. Even Dawson has a role to play. Hill has been very good this year, Ballantyne has been so-so but can improve especially around the goals, Sandi has been without a servicable midfield at his feet (which has changed with De Boers emergence and Barlows improvement), Fyfe is pure quality and Morabito will be the X factor I think, but his match fitness will probably mean his impact will be limited this year. An additional key forward to compliment Mayne and Pav (this could still be Clarke), and a bit more run in the midfield and all of a sudden other clubs will be hoping they don't finish 8th this season. After the Pies next week they have should wins against Dogs, Dees, Giants, Port which will keep them in touch of finals. Footy is a funny game and anything is possible (the mantra of a football tragic)
Redb
Roar Guru
Yep no problems with Hooker, been very consistent and knows when to mark the ball rather than punch in defence. Pears is out of sorts, looks unfit.
Dan
Guest
Pears hasn't played much and is basically the odd man out in our backline till Fletcher retires, Hooker on the other hand has been great this year, Pav scored 3 goals on him sure, but his overall influence on the game was not what it could have been against lesser opposition. Also the way Hooker and Carlisle combine to get the ball out of defence has improved week by week.
Redb
Roar Guru
Nathan, Essendon has a large fanbase in WA. Mega-club. Actually I was thinking the same thing about the number of Eagles fans at the MCG on Saturday - joint was filthy with them. :)
Balthazar
Guest
Actually, I think you'll find the problem with Freo is its inconsistency at Pattersons, not elsewhere. It is100% in Melbourne so far this year (albeit the next game may well change that), has won the only time its ventured to QLD and was not beaten by much at all by Sydney in Sydney. Unfortunately with its current style of play Pattersons is not the fortress it used to be.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Got free tickets to the game so went with my missus even though we're Eagles and Cats supporters respectively. Got stuck right in the midst of bomber faithful. How on earth did we let that many bomber supporters into the state??
Redb
Roar Guru
Very happy the Bombers performance on Sat night. A must win game if Essendon still had designs on a top 4 finish. Hurley's 6 goals! :) - had something to prove and got it done. Cant see Freo making the finals, key injuries make it very hard. The final 8 is impossible to predict but teams hampered by injuries losing home games puts them behind the 8 ball.
The Doss
Roar Pro
Good piece. The problem with Freo is their inconsistency outside of Pattersons. Without a top 4 finish and unlikely a home final, it would seem it is against them and another early finals exit. I think you missed the fact that with Essendon they finally played a brand of football to suit playing at Pattersons. For too long now Essendon brought an Etihad game plan with little effect. The spread and run and carry of the bombers was exceptional. Key changes allowed for this gameplan with Delolio and Reimers adding that run and spark Essendon would of been exposed to with slower utilities/forwards. In regards to Essendon and a third tall, it was trialled last year with Bellchambers, Ryder and Hille all in the side. It didn't work. I don't think it is completely out of the picture but for now it is not needed. The Bombers spine is great with more strength than height the key. Crameri and Hurley forward are great. Hille and Ryder combination works perfectly well and Hardingham and Fletcher amazing down back. The only issue in my eyes is Hooker and Pears are not quite there yet in terms of consistency. Sometimes are getting outmarked or outmuscled by opponents they should easily beat.