Round 9 vs Fremantle at Optus 10 May 2024

[Auntie.Gerald]

So we have played 4 of the top8 teams now

Plus the Pies who should sneak into the top8

We have won 5 from 5 from the teams we have played in the top9 ie including Pies 9th

[Blood Fever]

Our pressure was fantastic. Heeney leading the way. Warner's explosiveness and kicking
extraordinary. Notice Serong had it 34 times but his kicking is pretty ordinary by today's standards.

[SwanSand]

Fremantle even though play a good brand they haven’t really beaten anyone of significance this year.
We really struggled to cover their handballs and kicks through the corridor in the first 2 quarters. But their lack of accuracy meant no scoreboard pressure on us. And then their level dropped.
But geez if we are going to give so much space in the corridor we would be burnt in the game. I thought we have a lot of improvements to be made to be the Strong September team.

[MattW]

Now that we're back, nice to get a win in Perth without being seriously challenged on the scoreboard. Can't really say too much about the game, since I only listened on the radio, but the ABC votes were: Heeney - 3, Warner - 2, Hayward - 1. So, yet another round were Isaac could be collecting Brownlow votes.

Yeah, I thought Isaac was the best on ground - clean, strong, ran hard. Rowbottom's tackling and pressure was important in getting the game on our terms early. Warner was good, but didn't use it that well.

The three tall forwards all had good games. Amartey clunked some big contested marks, Hayden was aggressive all game and Logan worked really hard up the wing and sometimes deep into defence.

Florent, Lloyd, McInerney and Jordon all worked hard.

Roberts is looking a bit tired.

[Nico]

I noticed Papley was frustrated a couple of times with the delivery to him. Roberts kicked to him one on one and kicked to his opponents side of the contest for a mark. Also I don't get why players kick to him on a one on one contest on the boundary line. Yes, he might run to that spot but it doesn't mean he is the best option. Still, I am not worried about Tom. Always takes the best opposition small back. It may be a bonus that he has hasn't hit the scoreboard a lot.

- - - Updated - - -

On Roberts, I thought he was soft at the contest a few times last night and got caught in no man's land a bit.

[liz]

Was it the same goal umpire that called touched/for a replay on the Lloyd goal that looked pretty obviously a goal who then called behinds on the 2 Freo shots later in the game? I have to admit I thought they were both goals.

It is hard to tell on TV, but to my eyes they both curled back towards the goal space after crossing the post - ie they looked like behinds.

In terms of the first half scoring differential, the main reason was the kind of shots that were being taken. We managed to create a lot of marks directly in front of goal and run in goals, while Freo were mostly snapping from scruffy entries or taking long range shots. There were a couple of theirs that you'd expect to be converted, like the Amiss shot, but not many.

And we couldn't keep it up. We went from 10.0 to 13.7, which reflects our second half shots coming from harder spots.

It was a very odd game to watch. It felt like Freo dominated. In the first quarter our pressure was supreme, which kept them at bay. But though it remained OK, it didn't stay at first quarter levels. I guess the defensive shape (which is impossible to see watching on TV) was the other main contributor to the win.

I imagine our inability to win a centre bounce clearance must be a concern for the coaches. It was dire.

[Kafka's Ghost]

Unfortunately the “quote” function isn’t working where I currently am, a rather isolated spot on the planet, but I beg to differ regarding centre clearances, Liz. It was almost 50/50, Freo making one more than us. Clearances around the ground were exactly 50/50.
The last 3-4 very gettable shots on goal by us were all missed, which if even a couple were on target would have resulted in a 10 goal win. Perhaps by half way through the last quarter we were more into energy-saving mode, with a bit of an eye to next week.


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[liz]

Unfortunately the “quote” function isn’t working where I currently am, a rather isolated spot on the planet, but I beg to differ regarding centre clearances, Liz. It was almost 50/50, Freo making one more than us. Clearances around the ground were exactly 50/50.
The last 3-4 very gettable shots on goal by us were all missed, which if even a couple were on target would have resulted in a 10 goal win. Perhaps by half way through the last quarter we were more into energy-saving mode, with a bit of an eye to next week.


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To activate "reply with quote" you generally have to click the button twice. I think that's a software issue rather than anything to do with where you're located.

You're probably correct re clearances. I didn't look at stats. I rarely do.

My comment was posted out of frustration. I can't recall being as frustrated watching a game that we won so comfortably. I'm very happy we took the points from a tricky road trip, but I felt Freo were by far the better team apart from our ability to go forward enough times each game with laser-like precision.

I also think our defence was superb - not specifically the back seven, but rather the defensive shape all around the ground. That clearly made it hard for the Dockers to move the ball. But watching on TV it is impossible to know how the team was achieving it.

[Maltopia]

On my computers, I get quote to work by clicking on “open in new window”.

[waswan]

Picked them apart with the short kicking game they allowed us to Play.

Good to see amartey jump and clunk a few marks.

Warner BOG for me, was in slow motion.

Ramps did well to hold out their fwds, too smart.

Agree Francis purely a backup.

Love JMac does so much at ground level

[Dow]

What a game ! So glad I got to see it live and Primo seats, Thanks BHP - still soaking it in

[Dow]

I have 2 concerns from this game and that is without the scoreboard you would have thought we got flogged ! Now that has to be a concern and Efficient football can it stand up in September?

[i'm-uninformed2]

I get Liz’s instincts re clearances. It was certainly the case early and a side with half decent kicking skills would have taken better advantage of it.

But, once the ball got into space, it was a slaughter. Our two way running was awesome. McInerney was exhibit A - sliding back into the defensive wing position but also prepared to provide the release or overlap run on offence. It’s why Jordon is so impressive. He sticks like glue to his opponent, but knows when to peel off to be part of an offensive chain and because he’s so clean with his hands, he’s very effective.

He’s such an upgrade on Ryan Clarke.

As for Parker, listening to Horse’s presser after the match, it’s clear that if the last two matches were about getting him up to speed, he simply couldn’t find a spot for him this week. Given the balance of our midfield, it’s an understandable dilemma right now. That’ll change at some point soon, but Luke might need to be patient.

[Hotpotato]

“He sticks like glue to his opponent, but knows when to peel off …… “

I wish more players would do this after we turn it over… seems like something they did in the olden days .

[707]

Never discount a win in Perth, it's a tough road trip and Freo are a good side. Eight goals is a big margin.