It’s a battle at the bottom, as the Fremantle Dockers and Carlton Blues clash in search of their first win in 2016. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:15pm (AEST).
Fremantle were in the crosshairs all offseason, with many predicting the minor premiers were too old, too slow and not offensive enough to keep pace with the competition.
However, few foresaw Freo struggling the way they have in 2016, with the Dockers currently anchored in second-last without a win to their name so far.
The first fortnight was a disaster, with an almighty hiding at the hands of the Bulldogs followed by an unfathomable loss at home to the Suns. The last fortnight has been better, but ‘spirited’ losses count for very little for a supposed finals contender sitting at 0-4.
Last year’s wooden spooners Carlton, on the other hand, were lavished with praise over the offseason, with Jacob Weitering leading the next generation of Blues on the right path.
A competitive showing in their first match ramped up the hype, but Carlton have been comfortably outclassed in every game they’ve played since.
The big Victorian clubs tend to hog the spotlight, although, as Collingwood are discovering, that questionable hype can very quickly turn to intense scrutiny.
Carlton need to start showing a bit more out on the park.
This young rivalry has gone through some very distinct phases. Carlton won eight of the first ten contests, before Freo claimed nine in a row between 2002 and 2007. Since then it’s evened out, with the last ten clashes finishing 6-4 in the Dockers’ favour.
These clubs have also had a number of tight tussles over the last few years, with six of the past ten contests being decided by fewer than 10 points. Fremantle’s 42-point triumph last year was the first 30+ point margin between the teams since 2007.
Prediction
The ladder may indicate these two sides are on the same level, but everyone knows there’s still a chasm of class between the two.
Fremantle’s 0-4 start looks to be more than just a blip on the radar, but they’ve still got Carlton well and truly covered.
Dockers by 19 points
So which one of Carlton and Fremantle will break their duck for 2016? Join The Roar from 4:15 (AEDT) to find out with our live scores and commentary.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Yeah have gotten the impression that perhaps assistant coaches are a resource Lyon can be a bit complacent on, almost an afterthought. I think when he came to Freo he seemed to be really focussed on getting the coaching team gelling, but I think this time with the change he may have forgotten the value of putting a lot more attention there. But that's just an impression.
Aransan
Guest
DC, I do think Lyon is going to have to reinvent himself and I am sure he is more than capable of doing so. The modern coaching box uses the talents of a number of assistant coaches, can Lyon utilise this support on match day? He has obviously tried to delegate more outside match day and this hasn't worked well for him so far. There is also the perception that he hasn't shown great ability in developing players. I can remember when Hawthorn, St. Kilda and North Melbourne were yet to win VFL premierships. I hope it doesn't take too long for Fremantle, Gold Coast and GWS to win their first AFL premierships. Bad news about Fyfe, it is very disappointing when stars of the competition go down for extended periods.
Douglas Jack T
Guest
I guess it's as simple as this.Ross is getting Karma for sacking two of the games legends in Brett Kirk & Matty Lloyd who are great assistant coaches with proven offensive and defensive structures..Also getting rid of the teams best defenders in Ryan Crowley & Luke Mcpharlin who both are still worth kicking on didn't make things any better.But what really cheeses me off though is that wussy Nat Fyfe will without doubt hide behind his recent light if anything at all injury, well fittingly using it as a poor excuse to face the rest of Freo's meandering season.Which inturn means more excuses for more losses to come.
someguy
Guest
You only need to go to freo's official Facebook page and see for yourself. Unless of course 100% of the posters on there aren't freo fans. But hey as always you are right and everybody else who disagrees with you is wrong.
bryan
Guest
I was at the game,& I'd like to report:- "A determined Carlton attack prevailed over a spirited Fremantle defence" Well,that's what I'd LIKE to report!! Instead,I watched the Muppets play the Smurfs-----ultimately the Smurfs were lucky enough to win! Both teams moved as if someone had put "Roofies" in their Gatorade. Freo seemed to have reverted to the Connolly days---standing round with their hands on their hips,& if they did attempt to do anything,inevitably losing the footy to the miserable Blues,who then proceeded virtually unhindered to TRY to kick a goal. Across the face,off to one side,& if they were very lucky,a behind! As it stands,I would back any competent WAFL or SANFL side against either of the teams presented on Sunday. Freo had a lot of success in 2014 & 2015 with a game plan which all the "experts" (notably on this forum) condemned as "too defensive." Well they've taken your advice,and have "thrown the baby out with the bathwater",with predictable results.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
They were out for significant periods due to injury in 2013 Aransan, but the team kept rolling along without them. My point was Tim, as is his won't, just comes to any conclusion that suits his version of events, exclusive of the facts. You are right though, they are now definitely not going going to look to Pav this year to provide anything other than a bit part and to help guide the younger players, Sandi is likely to still be a force for a year or two yet.
Don Freo
Guest
It's easy to make these childish taunts when the moderator wipes any response I make. I have to protest this way because they don't allow me to report you. They have disabled that facility.
Aransan
Guest
DC, that might also mean older players being managed -- one has retired and the other two are now 3 years older although I can't see why Sandilands can't continue for some time yet.
Aransan
Guest
Macca, with regard to 1), the same drongoes will tell you that Carlton won't win another game this season. It mightn't take long for them to be proved wrong again.
Mark
Guest
He thinks premierships are overrated so he won't care ;)
Samantha
Roar Rookie
./me waits for the inevitable WhereIsDonFreo screenname to pop up.
Dean
Guest
Delusional Don appears to have already abandoned ship.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Mark eh? lol. At least you didn't use "John" I suppose.
Kevin lee
Guest
No sandi. No Fyfe. Next 3 games crows GWS hawks. Uphill climb. I chose to fly from Singapore to Tasmania for Freo Rd 8 game. Watching Freo without Sandi and Fyfe won't be the same.
Kevin lee
Guest
Doing ok without Roughie.
Kevin lee
Guest
Doing ok without Roughie.
spruce moose
Guest
In fairness to him, we ALL thought he still had a premiership capable side in 2016. Now, after 0-5, both we and he know he doesn't. He'll be gone. He just isn't a rebuild coach. It's not a slight on the man this time, it's just a fact.
Brinnx
Guest
Yep she sure was ugly, a good old fashioned slug fest. I blame the perfect conditions. Not sure who dragged who down into the mud first but at least Carlton caught the greased pig in the end. Cannot believe how far Freo have fallen in such a short time. I'm hoping that win will make the Blues relax a little bit on the ground. Manic intensity is all well and good but cool calm and collected is nice to try once in a while.
Mark
Guest
I don't know why you're bothering either.
anon
Guest
"Lachie Neale credits Ross Lyon for making him the player he is today, so I’m not sure he’s that interested in going." Meaningless plaudits. Kind of thing all players say about their coach. Lachie Neale WILL NOT be at Fremantle next year. I have it on good authority. "It’s a fairly ordinary start one might say, but that’s all we’ve got from it now. Everything else you’ve written there is pure emotional flourish." Nothing emotional. They just lost at their home fortress to the worst team in the competition (Freo now the worst) in a very low quality affair. They got smashed by Gold Coast at home three weeks ago. They are 0-5 after expecting to contend for the premiership. This is an unmitigated disaster. Ross the Albatross will be wheeling out the "new game plan" alibi after every insipid loss this year. He's got a lot of people fooled. Never Ross's fault, it's the players not executing the game plan properly. Let's just conveniently ignore that they've gone from 1st to 15th in stoppages, 1st to 14th in clearances, while Hawthorn are now 1st in both areas. "You’re so willing to rush to indulge your hatred of Lyon you overlook that he was the actual guy who coached them to a minor premiership. You’re obviously so comforted by your beliefs on it, I don’t really know why I’m bothering, but we’ll see how it pans out over the wider scope and you feel free to keep peddling out your “3-1 2012 start” line ad nauseum." Got them to a minor premiership, but would have got them further with that list with a better game plan. Last year he has Fyfe, Mundy, Neale, Hill, Sandilands in the midfield healthy and playing well. That's the best midfield in the league. The 3-1 start to 2012 shows that Lyon inherited a talented list in 2012. Harvey, who had no clue as coach, managed to get them to the second week of the finals in 2010 before losing his players in 2011 with his bizarre methods. Lyon could see the Saints on the slide, so jumped ship to a team that was talented but poorly coached.