Rd 18 vs Fremantle Dockers @ Optus Stadium

[Ludwig]

We beat a very good side tonight, on their home court and after being down 22 points.

We played so well as a team. Did the right things at the right time. Executed to perfection. Maybe we've finally turned the corner this year and will continue to play like this consistently.

Warner was the standout, but many others also did well, including our entire defensive unit. Hayward's 2nd half was excellent; he worked so hard off the ball and contested well all over the ground. Gulden is so skillful. Hickey also picked up his game in the 2nd half.

[Aprilbr]

I would describe that as a great tactical win. We adjusted our game to stop them rebounding with ease by zoning back. We countered through a high possession chipping game. It was not pretty to watch - but it was extremely effective in that second half. I think that the footy chat shows in coming days will have a field day analysing our tactics.

[stevoswan]

Coaches deserve extra special mention they put together changes in our system after the first quarter that simply dismantled Freo’s game plan.

Yep....one of Freo's strengths this year has been their super organised structures and to navigate through them so well after an inauspicious start was impressive work from the box.

[i'm-uninformed2]

A special shout out to Dylan Stephens’ last two minutes.

One - that play after the Freo clearance after their goal. He was so calm on a big moment.

Two - the ball bobbling around on our half forward line, he surged in at it, punched it forward, then made his way on to the chain of handballs and slotted the goal so sweetly.

That stuff defines a player.

[TheBloods]

Fox is shutting me up big time

[Nico]

Hayward's best game. Fox was outstanding in the last quarter.

[snajik]

Another superb team effort. When they're mentally switched on, with these skills, they can beat any team anywhere. If we finish top four this season, I don't reckon we can be discounted for the flag.

[Faunac8]

Well said.
The man is brilliant.

Yep he can find space where you just wouldn’t think there was any.
If Chad is currently our best player Isaac is not far behind.

[Hotpotato]

This tactic of raising the the arm to ‘convert’ a perfectly legit tackle to high contact is doing my head in.
Why are the Umps still conned by this ?
It’s rubbish .

[707]

Yep, everything that everybody has said. We have developed into a very good side.

Dropped a number of games we shouldn't have this year or we'd be top two. No limit to what we could achieve this year or in the next few years.

I'm excited!

[Faunac8]

I'm not sure how you interpreted it that way? He was happy with the win and the fate of the side is in our own hands. Beyond that, I did not see any glimpses of his view on his contract.

Simply perception on my behalf about his body language ????
Although the comment about him having played for 18 seasons and being used to conjecture and most importantly the huge grin when Pav asked about him liking the red and white leads me to think he won’t be going anywhere.

[AB Swannie]

A special shout out to Dylan Stephens’ last two minutes.

One - that play after the Freo clearance after their goal. He was so calm on a big moment.

Two - the ball bobbling around on our half forward line, he surged in at it, punched it forward, then made his way on to the chain of handballs and slotted the goal so sweetly.

That stuff defines a player.

Totally agree. Dylan has often looked a little like the 3rd wheel in a relationship. He has just lacked confidence to back himself but those last few plays were really strong. I loved his celebration showing that little bit of swagger that he has lacked. I also noticed that Horse gave him just a fraction more love when the team came through the rooms (not as much as the Chad though)

[Hotpotato]

I don’t think he’s going anywhere but he couldn’t clear it up in that interview bc a (new) contract is still not done.

[Hotpotato]

I also noticed that Horse gave him just a fraction more love when the team came through the rooms (not as much as the Chad though)[/QUOTE]

That was more than a fraction, that was a long strong love hug .

[Maltopia]

Best on Ground show has long interview with Tom Hawkins and discussion of of Geelong. Segment on North winning and temporary coach. In between a short mention of our win, and Warner mentioned in comparison to Daicos for Brownlow votes. WTF. Our win has a massive impact on shaping the top four and rated barely a mention.