Elimination Final v Fremantle [Archive]

Stealth bomber

31 Aug 2003, 16:15

Well, nothing to lose now I guess.

Home ground advantage is significant, but one would like to think not significant enough to reverse a 60-point result in the span of two weeks.

Pull out all the stops Kevin. Play the right players in the right positions and pick ones who are suited to the ground, the conditions, and the experience.

If we have an absolute red hot go and still lose, I won't be terribly disappointed. I just don't wanna get flogged. I'm tired of seeing anemic 8.12 scorelines on our interstate trips.

Cupestar

31 Aug 2003, 16:15

We thumped them by 10 goals just two weeks ago...have things changed that much? I'm worried about the House of Pain hangover really...should we beat Freo, we'll play the loser of Sydney/Port (Most likely Sydney) and provided that Collingwood Beat Brisbane (Big If) then Brisbane get a home semi final, and does this mean we go a home final against Sydney at the G cos of the MCC arrangement, or have the AFL ****ed it?

Dave

31 Aug 2003, 16:47

All I ask is that they show the same spirit as Friday night.

Darealrath

31 Aug 2003, 16:48

Not confident at all. The ground is just too big for our game style and lack of pace in the midfield, and the way we play interstate...

'at our best' we're a good show though.

Port won their first final ever vs us last year. It would **** me off if Freo did the same.

sabre_ac

31 Aug 2003, 19:14

Freo lets be honest against the bombers a fortnight a go where totally intimidated.
Highlighted by Schammers mistake.

Though the freo you play at subi in their first home final in front packed subi oval is a very different side.
To even be thinking about the week after is ridiculous,we are undefeated at home.
It will be a close game but, the 10 goal margin 2 weeks ago will be a distance memory in the mind of the freo players.

go team

31 Aug 2003, 19:34

did anyone else find sabre's post a little all over the place?

Darealrath

31 Aug 2003, 19:41

Originally posted by go team
did anyone else find sabre's post a little all over the place?

:D

It's a bit too defensive for this thread aint it, seeing as we're hardly overly optimistic about our chances.

bacon buster

31 Aug 2003, 19:48

Originally posted by sabre_ac
the 10 goal margin 2 weeks ago will be a distance memory in the mind of the freo players.

i doubt that very much.

you will certainly play better, and it will be a close game i think

IceTemple

31 Aug 2003, 21:52

Nah BB I think they will kick our bu tts. Still, I am a pessimist so what do i know?!:p

marcuz

31 Aug 2003, 21:58

Sheeds loves games like these. Nothing to lose everything to gain.

Go the Dons!

Ripper

31 Aug 2003, 22:06

I think it will be a close encounter and the winner will make a PF.

It is not a given and CC has banned the press from the players except for press conferences. So he is certainly not taking it as a given.

sabre_ac

31 Aug 2003, 22:52

Originally posted by go team
did anyone else find sabre's post a little all over the place?

Results from watching a dvd,excitement from realising your playing a victorian side at home in your first final and trying to eat at the same time.
Though I think i got accross what I was trying to say.
Home ground advantage makes all the difference.

Freo Hitman

31 Aug 2003, 23:58

Saturday 28th July 2001 is the date the Fremantle Dockers last lost to a Victorian opponent at Subiaco , that just underlines the enormity of the job at hand for Essendon. I am not writing Essendon off , I expect a cracking game and any Victorian theories of Freo not having any finals experience is all a myth , team wise yeah its all new , but coach Connolly has been within a kick of a GF while assistant at Hawtorn ( & me suspects he was the Brains behind the Hawks that year ) , Peter Bell has 2 premeirships , Des Headland has 1 , Troy Simmonds has played a GF aswell , Farmer will play he has finals experience , and the big thing Essendon will be against is 40,000 Freo fans swinging from the rafters on Friday in full voice anyone who heard Freo fans last nite in the Derby would probably be surprised that there were only about 6,000 fans who got tickets out of the 43,000... imagine the noise coming from Subi on Friday ;)

Darealrath

1 Sep 2003, 00:06

I doubt Simmonds remembers much of his gf tho ;) And Farmer, well he prolly doesn't want to remember it.

I rate Connolly very highly though, and expect freo to come out blazing. I just hope we can hang in there, but the size of that ground of yours is just doing my head in.

Freo Hitman

1 Sep 2003, 00:16

Originally posted by Darealrath
I doubt Simmonds remembers much of his gf tho ;) And Farmer, well he prolly doesn't want to remember it.

:D true about Simmo , he copped a nasty knock by Mick long in that game , but just experiencing the build up for such a big game & Freo having 4 players with that experincing that build up for such a huge event will no doubt be a huge plus for Freo's youngsters wanting 1st hand tips on how to deal with it. Smokey McPhee Will deepdown be happy to be with his mates playing Freo's 1st final although against them , but thats how life pans out sometimes.

bacon buster

1 Sep 2003, 01:59

we simply need to get off to a good start, to take the crowd out of the game, and to put some doubt in the freo players minds

say what you will freo supporters, but one area you are lacking in severely is big match/finals experience

Bombers_Forever

1 Sep 2003, 07:23

I am not confident but Freo have it all to lose- they will start favourites with the home ground and crowd on thier side. If we win, it would be a bigger upset than the Pies over Power last year.

dougthelegend

1 Sep 2003, 08:10

I'm not to confident about this one - would have much preferred Sydney at Sydney (not to mention the fact that i may have been able to attend that game :p) but BB is right in saying that the most important thing we have to do is score a few early goals and take the crowd out of it.

Freo may have splashes of finals experience, but nothing like the finals/big game experience we have on our side. Expect players like Hird, Lloyd and co. to come to the fore. They will be the go-to men for the game. Smokies like McPhee will also have a big impact on the game. I think Sheeds will give McPhee a fair bit of time on the ground, given his form, and especially 'cause he's playing against his old side...

GO BOMBERS!!

KiNgCliVe26

1 Sep 2003, 08:50

Orignally Posted by Bacon Buster
say what you will freo supporters, but one area you are lacking in severely is big match/finals experience

Yeah I agree. I just hope that our boys are ready for the most physical game of there lives.

ImperialPurple

1 Sep 2003, 09:12

Originally posted by bacon buster
to take the crowd out of the game

It'll never happen - you obviously aren't familiar with the noise created at Subi by Freo supporters!
:D ;) :D ;)

Pevers-Legend

1 Sep 2003, 11:28

Originally posted by ImperialPurple
It'll never happen - you obviously aren't familiar with the noise created at Subi by Freo supporters!
:D ;) :D ;)

Would that be before during or after their heave-ho ????????

mantis

1 Sep 2003, 11:36

There is going to be a lot of vocal Bombers fans there, don't you worry about that. :D

Hosko

1 Sep 2003, 11:55

ill be one of them! :D

nonchalance

1 Sep 2003, 14:26

It'll be close.

Freo are ten goals better at Perth, IMO, which puts it about even.
If we play like we did on Friday, I'll be satisfied, although I think we can win.

rednugget

1 Sep 2003, 15:12

I really think we are going to win..... but what the hell does it matter what I think.

AZZO

1 Sep 2003, 16:09

Both teams are going to give it all they have. Experienced players will take their leadership roles. With such a young side who hasn't played final before, many would think that Dockers would be intimidated. Hell no. Especially not at home. It's gonna be a hell of a game, damn close, damn physical. Set the VCR's, this one is gonna be one to remember

Pornstar

1 Sep 2003, 16:40

Since we last played we have regained Fletcher and Wellman and Freo have lost at Cook, whilst Farmer would have to be a bit suspect. Can't see Troy Simmonds chipping in for 3 goals this time.

Watching the derby it struck me just how good Freo are at taking the ball from the kick ins and taking the ball into their forward line without the opposition touching it. they have to chip the ball around so the opposition have time to get numbers back, so that's the trade off.

Merry

1 Sep 2003, 20:38

This is set to be a ripper! I think a lot of this is gonna rest on how fit (or unfit) Pavlich is.
All Essendon supporters should know the folly of playing players that aren't quite right.
Problem is, you just can't leave guns out when finals come around.
That said, bombers to get over the line in this one for mine.

Bomber Spirit

1 Sep 2003, 20:54

It was only a couple of weeks ago we pumped Freo by 10 goals. With that sort of form we've got to be a chance, although the Dockers are a lot harder to beat over there.
It's a new experience for Freo in finals, and it would be surprising if they're not nervous; especially early on. And the Bombers need to use that early period to jump them and get to a lead.

AZZO

1 Sep 2003, 23:20

I have a feeling the Bombers are taking us as a joke...thinking we don't have what it takes. We have proved many times this season that we do have what it takes, especially with our 30 point win over you Bombers earlier in the seaosn.
No doubt gonna be an awesome game, and when the final siren sounds, you'll be hearing the Dockers theme song blaring through the stadium

Hosko

1 Sep 2003, 23:50

Dockers are favourites. We havent won an interstate match since mid way thru last season. You beat us at Subi in round six by 30 points (i was there :( ). Not much to joke about there. We both have a lot to prove in my opinion but the pressure is on Freo, they are favourites and have the all-important home ground advantage.

you'll be hearing the Dockers theme song blaring through the stadium
what a marvelous song it is too ;)

Pevers-Legend

2 Sep 2003, 09:04

Originally posted by AZZO
I have a feeling the Bombers are taking us as a joke...thinking we don't have what it takes. We have proved many times this season that we do have what it takes, especially with our 30 point win over you Bombers earlier in the seaosn.
No doubt gonna be an awesome game, and when the final siren sounds, you'll be hearing the Dockers theme song blaring through the stadium

Actually we are taking your theme song as a joke. WTF???

Considering our away record - you have to be on drugs to think we would take Freo easily - consdering it is an elimation final - you would have to be on drugs to think we would take Freo easily.

back pocket

2 Sep 2003, 10:03

Originally posted by marcuz
Sheeds loves games like these. Nothing to lose everything to gain.

Go the Dons!

Everything to lose, Marcuz. Lose this and you're out.

There's no doubt, that if The Bombers are at their best, they would beat Freo quite easily, regardless of where the game is played. I expect them to go man on man all over the ground, and fitness will become an issue if the game is close.

Class and experience will almost always overcome youthful exuberance, so I'm hoping CC has a few tricks up his sleeve, and that the bombers will be intimidated, not so much by Freo, but moreso the crowd, which after waiting for 9 years to see their team play a final will be in a frenzy from the first bounce.

On paper says Essendon, House of Pain says Freo, I say I have absolutely no idea how this game will pan out. The only thing I can say for sure is that I will be contributing a fair bit to the noise factor, and consuming abundant quantities of crappy lite beer.

Win or lose, I'm havin' a good time, and I've gotta say I've never looked forward to a game like I am right now.

auste1234

2 Sep 2003, 15:51

There's no doubt, that if The Bombers are at their best, they would beat Freo quite easily, regardless of where the game is played

I think alot of people would disagree with that. Infact a few would laugh at it, including me.
Essendon are not a way better side, I think you need a reality check.

Of course essendon supporters think they can win, I would be worried if they didn't. But it's at subi and everything points to fremantle with the game being in the west with a capacity west aussie crowd. Don't get too excited and far ahead of yourself cos your season is likely to be over by Saturday morning

KiNgCliVe26

2 Sep 2003, 18:37

[QUOTE]Originally Posted by Bomber Spirite
It was only a couple of weeks ago we pumped Freo by 10 goals.[/I]

And the week before you came to subi last time you had pumped an inform collingwood by a similar margin.

Our 30pt win over you guys at subi, your 60+pt win over us at telstra it is all meaningless now that finals football is here.

SHould be a ripper of a game though.

Yabba

2 Sep 2003, 20:39

this game will either be the best or worst game of the weekend. If one team doesnt blow away the other early then it will be a hard tough slog. it wont open up the way it did at the dome the other week because it is a final. Unfortunate to see pavlich isnt fully fit as you wanna see how good players can be when it matters in finals

mantis

2 Sep 2003, 21:24

WOOHOO got my ticket, sitting behind the City end goals with the cheer squad, look out for me holding up the banner. :D

BE LOUD, BE PROUD & drown out the Shockers. :p

go team

2 Sep 2003, 21:44

the game is at subiaco - as big as an influence this will be, is there anyone out there that can share some other reason as to why the dockers will win? or is that it?

KiNgCliVe26

2 Sep 2003, 22:52

Originally Posted by Mantis
WOOHOO got my ticket, sitting behind the City end goals with the cheer squad, look out for me holding up the banner.

I heard on the radio that dons supporters were reserved 4000 tickets on the wing. Is there 2 don's cheersquads going or something maybe the interstate and the WA dons supporters?

mantis

2 Sep 2003, 22:58

Originally posted by KiNgCliVe26
I heard on the radio that dons supporters were reserved 4000 tickets on the wing. Is there 2 don's cheersquads going or something maybe the interstate and the WA dons supporters?

We had tickets reserved on the wing, as well as behind the City end goals, your media people here, obviously have no idea.

The cheer squad, plus the majority of Perth members, are sitting behind the goals.

KiNgCliVe26

2 Sep 2003, 23:01

AHhh k cheers mantis. Well its Adrian Barich that reports these things so you can't really expect much.

mantis

2 Sep 2003, 23:09

Originally posted by KiNgCliVe26
AHhh k cheers mantis. Well its Adrian Barich that reports these things so you can't really expect much.

GAWD Barich, you believed what he said. :eek: :D

Hosko

2 Sep 2003, 23:38

Yep got my tix too, hopefully there is a few us there Mantis!

mantis

2 Sep 2003, 23:47

Originally posted by Hosko
Yep got my tix too, hopefully there is a few us there Mantis!

There are going to be thousands of us there, as always, only this time we have more coming from Melbourne. :D

dougthelegend

3 Sep 2003, 08:01

i sooo wish i could make it to the game....damn work gets in the way of everything fun :(

auste1234

3 Sep 2003, 12:24

You should have saved your money, because the bombers won't have too much to cheer about on Friday night:D

mantis

3 Sep 2003, 12:48

Originally posted by auste1234
You should have saved your money, because the bombers won't have too much to cheer about on Friday night:D

At least we aren't chardonnay supporters who support 2 teams, have you got memberships for both teams, got your ticket for Friday?

auste1234

3 Sep 2003, 13:37

I aint a chardonnay supporter, and yes i do have my ticket.
I am only 18, I am a very passionate fremantle and eagles man, a little more freo, but not by alot.

I wouldn't miss this game, and there aint gonna be many bombers members there anyway, but goodluck anyway cos its all ahead of the bombers

dougthelegend

3 Sep 2003, 16:39

Originally posted by auste1234
I aint a chardonnay supporter, and yes i do have my ticket.
I am only 18, I am a very passionate fremantle and eagles man, a little more freo, but not by alot.

I wouldn't miss this game, and there aint gonna be many bombers members there anyway, but goodluck anyway cos its all ahead of the bombers
support two teams? pfft.
the bombers have it all ahead of them being @ subi
but the shockers have it all ahead of them being their first final
hoping finals experience will be the extra bit needed to get us over the line.

thewhippersnapper

3 Sep 2003, 19:45

I cant go because its in Freo but I will be watching it all on TV live on Friday Night. This should be a superb match. I really cant wait.

Woods out. Are Pavlich and Farmer out??

GO BOMBERS!!!!!!!!

auste1234

3 Sep 2003, 20:35

Both will play.
Farmer did not train last night but that was just because they were going on the safe side. Pavlich trained pretty well as did croad. Not sure about woods, didn't think there was anythinf wrong with him??

|D_J^B_J|

3 Sep 2003, 21:28

Originally posted by mantis
At least we aren't chardonnay supporters who support 2 teams, have you got memberships for both teams, got your ticket for Friday?

Not all of us support both teams. Thankfully it's only a very small minority of Western Australians who support both teams, otherwise our great state would be the laughing stock of Australia. As far as I am concerned, the WCE are the enemy and about 98% of Freo supporters despise them.

WC supporters haven't had much of a reason to hate us in the past, but their pity is now turning into fear and hatred as they realise we are the superior team in WA. :)

On the topic, I think we will win, but it won't be easy. It's no secret that we have superior pace in the midfield which will be critical on a big ground such as Subi. Essendon's poor travel record (one win from their last ten) has been well documented and will no doubt play a factor. I just hope we don't get overawed by the occasion. The intensity of the game will be similar to the derby last week, which was a taste of how the game will be played on Friday night.

thewhippersnapper

3 Sep 2003, 22:55

I think its Woods that is out.

Well I know there is atleast 1 freo player out.

Damn. I was hoping Pavlich was out.

Oh well. If we are going to win at least it will be against an almost fullstrength team.

GO BOMBERS!

masai

4 Sep 2003, 11:43

Woods out, news to me. Try Cook, but hell they both look the same ............ oh yeah.

Other than Cook, the only injury question mark is over Farmer.

thewhippersnapper

4 Sep 2003, 15:58

Originally posted by masai
Woods out, news to me. Try Cook, but hell they both look the same ............ oh yeah.

Other than Cook, the only injury question mark is over Farmer.

Yeah thats what I meant.

Same person;)