The song is a classic from Jimi Hendrix. Many are confused about what this song is about, love or drugs? Both? I am not sure personally.
One thing I am sure of this year is that I rate Fremantle. For the first time in my entire life I rate the Fremantle Football Club.
No, I’m not on drugs and I love a lot about them.
Let’s start with the main reason they are where they are at.
Ross Lyon.
Let’s go back further though and think about the way in which Ross Lyon arrived. Remember Mark Harvey? The guy who got stabbed in the back and everyone felt sorry for and rightfully so.
But, love or hate that decision, it was the right one. It was the right one for the football club. Ross Lyon is at the very top of AFL coaching right now and only a flag is denying him the position outright.
I love Ross for many reasons. No bullshit approach. Cool and calm when it matters. Strong mentally and a great thinker.
At the Saints he took them to within a kick of a flag with a list that to me had three elite players in Nick Riewoldt, Brendon Goddard and Lenny Hayes, a bunch of very good players such as Sam Fisher, Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna and a whole bunch of good to average players.
Probably the worst list to make a GF since Collingwood 2002/03.
He did it through an unreal game plan that could only be carried out if the players believed in him and were willing to work. At the end of the day personally he just didn’t have the personnel, or cattle as Micky Malthouse would put it.
Now, he does. My word he does.
All of his current Fremantle players I believe are among the very best in their position on the ground.
If injuries is your response to this article as to why they can’t win, then only Matt Pavlich I see being an issue, and knowing his professionalism and want of finals success, he’ll be back.
Throw in Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne and Matt De Boer hassling, kicking goals and just refusing to let the ball out of the forward 50. Tendai Mzungu’s improvement, Lee Spurr and Hayden Crozie’s youth, Danyle Pearce being basically a new player, it just goes on and on.
The one big concern is MCG experience and finals experience. Can’t make a call on how that will go but it is not a big issue for me personally though.
They drew with Sydney at their ground and should have won if they punched the ball through. That’s what they can do, evidence is right there in that game.
A semi last year after beating the Cats (at the MCG) the week before. Strong form and decent fixture.
So can Lyon’s team roar their way to a first flag?
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
How do we feel about this now?
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
Wasn't great, but plenty of guns to return. Still confident they'll make the GF.
Brendan
Guest
Darcy the game against Geelong is the most important in the clubs history.Assuming Fremantle beat North there a game and a half behind the Cats so obviously a win is vital.MO Geelong's are vulnerable at night ( Dockers last year, Essendon upset 2011, Collingwood preliminary 2010 as examples) so this is a tough game for both clubs.Cannot see Hawthorn losing enough games to drop from the top two .
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
Top 2 is a huge chance with this run home. Lions (PS) North (PS) Geelong (Skilled) Saints (PS) Eagles (PS) Tigers (MCG) Crows (PS) Carlton (Etihad) Giants (PS) Melb (MCG) Port (PS) Saints (Etihad) Milne has a great record but not elite for me due to his form in big games.
Brendan
Guest
Fremantle need to host a home preliminary final and avoid travelling three weeks out of four in the finals to have a chance IMO.Big game against Geelomg at Skilled in three weeks .I would argue that Milne is an elite player that Lyon had at his time with StKilda. I doubt Lyon's defensive orientated game plan can win three consecutive finals but maybe like Blight who lost at Geelong but won at Adelaide Ross might leave his bad luck in Melbourne.