Friday night football takes us to Patersons Stadium for the traditional Len Hall Tribute Match as Fremantle clash with Richmond We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8:40pm AEST.
Both teams are coming off disappointing losses last week.
Fremantle couldn’t get out of the blocks early in Launceston against Hawthorn, while Richmond was hit by a barrage of goals in the third quarter against Collingwood.
The two teams had a great opening fortnight, but has found themselves on a slight slide due to a couple of errant quarters.
Fremantle has done a great job of late of making Patersons Stadium into a fortress.
Save the last 45 minutes of their loss to Essendon, the Dockers have a strong record with an average margin of 51 points from their last six wins.
Last week they were caught short in defence early with Luke McPharlin being a late withdrawal. He should be making a return this Friday night.
Despite the poor opening quarter, Fremantle did manage to stay with Hawthorn for the rest of the match, with midfielders David Mundy, Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow once again leading the way.
The match brings up game 100 for Zac Dawson, who lords coach Ross Lyon for his revival, saying he “got me off the scrap heap at St Kilda”.
An interesting stat that weighs heavily for Fremantle is Lyon’s record against Richmond – he’s won eight, drawn once and never lost to the Tigers.
Richmond has had a good start to the season, without being outstanding.
The hype probably got a little too far last week, when you look at who they had beaten to date.
To get beaten by Collingwood was always inevitable, but at least they were able to stay competitive with the Pies most of the way.
What we do know is they are playing a better brand of football compared to last year and deserve to be respected now.
With the midfield talent like Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin, this team will be pressing for a finals spot.
But winning games on the road will be crucial if they are to make themselves more than just finals challengers.
Their interstate record is okay, without being ground breaking – winning seven matches out of 16 since 2010.
Steven Morris will miss for this game, along with Troy Chaplin – both have been a solid defenders this season.
But it will likely mean we see the debut of exciting young prospect Nick Vlaustin, picked up at number nine in last year’s AFL Draft.
A monster game for both teams tonight so expect a fair old dog fight. Coverage at Patersons Stadium in Perth coming up from 8.40pm AEST.
Andrew
Guest
To the SportsFreak, I’m Confused??? In your comments timed between 10.41pm and 10.42pm. Before Walter’s kick there’s 40 sec left in Q3 and the score is FRE 10.7 (67) RICH 9.5 (59) The siren sounds. Walter’s kicks, touched on the line, now it should be quarter over without a score. So why was a point awarded to Freo? 3 Quarter time: FRE 10.8 (68) RICH 9.5 (59) This game should be a draw, am I missing something? Andrew.
Greg
Guest
Are we better than this? This was supposed to be the year we prove to the footy world Richmond are to be taken seriously. I see nothing has changed. One point or 100 points a loss is still a loss. You can loose every game in a season by one point who cares. I am still waiting, I want to go to the finals and believe we are a threat once more.
bryan
Guest
And our friends over in the "Football" section think AFL fans don't have passion! :)
Andrew
Guest
To the SportsFreak, I'm Confused??? In your comments timed between 10.41pm and 10.42pm. Before Walter's kick there's 40 sec left in Q3 and the score is FRE 10.7 (67) RICH 9.5 (59) The siren sounds. Walter's kicks, touched on the line, now it should be quarter over without a score. So why was a point awarded to Freo? 3 Quarter time: FRE 10.8 (68) RICH 9.5 (59) This game should be a draw, am I missing something? Andrew.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
For reference, these are the positioning instructions they use for goal umpires: http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/index.php?id=407 When Vickery was coming in for the ball, with the very high likelihood (i.e., he should have tried to, rather than his actual weird karate kick) that he was going to mark on the line, the goal umpire needed to commit to an astride the line position so he could see whether the expected attempted mark succeeded or it ended up getting bobbled/touched over. That's where they're trained to be and, I can't help but expect, that is where they will continue to be until the AFL gets good goal line technology (or at least proper cameras) in place to make this (risky, dangerous, potentially disruptive but necessary) requirement of the Goal Umpire's job unnecessary. I know there's going to be a riot in the media about this but we're talking about something that's up there with having a seagull/pigeon fly into a goal bound ball in terms of being a freak occurrence.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
You'll find that the goal umpire is half on the field of play because that's the only place he's going to be able to look down the line until we can create clear goal posts (hey, there's a thought for a new innovation, clear goal posts). I know Eade said "oh, just peak around the post" but let's be serious, getting the goal umpire to retreat all the way past the far post, then try and bend back into play is going to be slow in a process that can be over in fractions of a second and provide you with a wonky view on the goal line. And he needed to be on that side because the umpire has to be able to watch the approach of the ball. If he was on the near-post he'd have to turn his head away from the line to watch it come in. Honestly, to me it looked like the thing hit on his left thigh, between the legs at worst, which, as he was back to the post, meant it was without a shadow of a doubt going to be a poster. If anything, it worked in Richmond's favour because they need a goal and nothing but. 12.1.3 clarification and examples For the avoidance of doubt: (a) if the football touches an Umpire or any Official and then passes over the Goal or Behind Line, a Goal or Behind, as the case may be, shall still be recorded; (b) if the football touches an Umpire or any Official and does not pass over the Goal or Behind Line, the football shall remain in play; If it had bounced off the umpire over the line, they would have scored the goal, as it bounced back into player, it was still available for a Richmond crumber to have a second bite of the cherry if they could have gotten there in time. Both of these potentials were better for Richmond than the concession of the behind which would have (and eventually did) occur.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
Cotchin comes from the side, collects Ballantyne in the head as he goes through. Nothing else comes into the equation.
Bayman
Guest
Nathan, I'm not sure it's ever 'proper positioning' when the goal umpire is half in the field of play - especially when the ball is coming at him. However, I agree with you that it would have hit the post if the umpire had not been there so no damage done. Mind you, I'm not sure the ball actually crossed the line until the Freo player took it over - I reckon it was still live inside the field of play because hitting the umpire as it did keeps it live because I'm pretty sure it did not actually cross the goal line - and it never quite hit the post because the umpire was in the way. It will be interesting to see what the AFL say about it because I'm sure Richmond will raise this wit them.
Bayman
Guest
Sportsfreak, As I said to Nathan above, Ballantyne was not fractionally closer - he was second in line and Cotchin got his hands to the ball, Ballantyne did not.
Bayman
Guest
Nathan, Ballantyne came off second best because he was second to the ball. The Richmond player dived for the ball in front of Ballantyne and had it in his hands when the collision came. How the hell could that possibly be a free kick to Ballantyne. In fact, I don't think it was. My feeling is that the free was paid for a second effort by Cotchin and paid to another Freo player. Mind you, I was slightly distracted at the time but I don't actually think Ballantyne got a free - and I certainly don't think he should have got one in that instance.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Both went for the same ball in the same way... you can't do much about that. Ballantyne coming off second best and winning a free kick because he was fractionally closer - I can't buy that.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
One of the finest finishes I've seen in football and didn't those Freo supporters give it the ovation it deserved. They went berserk when Ballantyne kicked the winner, like five bays across going mental as one.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
By what understanding of the rules is Eddie suggesting that Ballantyne getting smushed in the head by Cotchin in the marking contest is incidental contact, play-on? I think he's right in that the rule book is in dire need of mass-simplification. But how would that not have been a free kick to the dirty hobbit?
nmj1654
Roar Rookie
Agree re Fremantle getting the Anzac evening clash. They're just as important as any other AFL club and their efforts towards the Len Hall Tribute Match should be recognized with a permanent fixture. Perhaps seeing as Anzac Day is a national tradition, it could be recognized with a game in each state for the weekend with the appropriate ceremony for each, as well as a game in NZ if possible, considering the success of yesterday's clash.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Fremantle 12.9 (81) def. Richmond 12.8 (80) So that wraps it up from Patersons Stadium after another belter! Fremantle hang on and go to 3-2, along with Richmond. Last point. I blogged last night's game and then tonight's. As much as I love the game being showcased in NZ, Fremantle play what is now becoming a traditional home fixture on the ANZAC Day weekend. To stop them from hosting it on ANZAC Day is not right. If you've ever been to a Len Hall Tribute Match, Fremantle do as good as the Collingwood vs. Essendon clashes. For a fledgling club to put on a game like this should have been encouraged by the AFL ages ago, but hasn't and so now when they hold an ANZAC ceremony, many believe "what are you doing that for?". AFL, if you actually do decide to read this, put some thought next year in giving Fremantle the night fixture on ANZAC Day and make THAT traditional. They've been doing this since 1996, one year less than Collingwood vs. Essendon, but have done it since the second year of their existence. Make it so. Keen to know your thoughts below. Have a great weekend. More blogging on the AFL Round 5 coming up across the weekend. Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Would have been worried at quarter time. Cracking finish. Freo good at keeping the fans on their toes!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Pleasure mate. Great contest helps!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Fremantle 12.9 (81) def. Richmond 12.8 (80) Quarter by Quarter Fremantle 2.0 7.5 10.8 12.9 (81) Richmond 5.2 7.3 9.5 12.8 (80) Goalscorers FRE (6) – Hayden Ballantyne 4, Chris Mayne 3, Michael Walters 2, Stephen Hill 1, Ryan Crowley 1, Lachie Neale 1 RICH (7) – Chris Knights 3, Tyrone Vickery 2, Luke McGuane 2, Shaun Grigg 1, Jack Riewoldt 1, Dustin Martin 1, Matthew White 1 Team Stats Disposals: FRE 368-343; Disposal Efficiency: FRE 72%-70%; Kicking Efficiency: FRE 68%-65%; Contested Possessions: RICH 155-145; Marks: FRE 111-76; Clearances: FRE 39-38; Tackles: RICH 71-63; Inside 50’s: FRE 50-45; Hitouts: FRE 39-38 Player Stats Michael Barlow (FRE) 31 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 5 marks, 6 clearances, 6 tackles Trent Cotchin (RICH) 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 7 clearances, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Brandon Ellis (RICH) 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 4 marks, 5 clearances, 5 rebound 50’s, 2 goal assists Garrick Ibbotson (FRE) 24 disposals, 11 marks, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50’s Clancee Pearce (FRE) 24 disposals, 10 marks, 3 tackles
Nathan of Perth
Guest
He just saved Walter's bacon
TomC
Roar Guru
Great blog, Sports Freak. Really enjoyable.