Game Day Round 1 - Brisbane @ Optus

[Falconista]

After a long offseason and ~34 million words just on Bigfooty regarding the future of Justin Longmuir

Justin Longmuir

Age

43

Ht

196cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.4

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.4

3star

G

1.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

7.0

2star

K

3.6

2star

HB

3.4

3star

M

2.0

3star

T

0.6

3star

G

0.6

3star

, the 2024 (men's) season proper has arrived. In our frequent Sunday afternoon slot (at the very weird time of 3:50pm), we commence our season against Brisbane. The team who we've beaten not once, but twice after the siren here in the West. First in 1997 when the late Quentin Leach nailed a goal after the bell at Subi. Then, more recently in 2019 when the great Sonny Walters hit the post to break the deadlock at Optus. Ah 2019, simpler times.

OUR OPPONENT:

Brisbane bring losing form into this match losing their last two games by a whopping 5 points in total. The Lions are expected to feature heavily in September again this season as they race the clock to break their premiership drought. As such, they'll be fired up to avoid the cursed 0-2 start to the season. The Lions are offensively superb with a potent forward line that boasted seven players with 20+ goals last year along with an engine room headed by one, L.Neale. However, they are missing arguably their two best young players through injury, Will Ashcroft and Keidean Coleman.

MATCHUP TO WATCH:

Luke Jackson vs Oscar McInerney

46

Oscar Mcinerney

Age

29

Ht

204cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.1

2star

K

4.1

2star

HB

3.9

3star

CL

1.4

4star

HO

14.3

5star

D

6.9

1star

K

4.1

2star

HB

2.7

2star

CL

1.9

4star

HO

16.4

5star

D

7.6

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.6

3star

CL

0.4

3star

HO

11.2

5star

: the Lions are heavily reliant on McInerney with their club adopting a one-ruck model for several seasons now. It's an approach we'll have to mirror with the injury to Sean Darcy

4

Sean Darcy

Age

25

Ht

203cm

Wt

111kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.1

3star

K

3.4

1star

HB

6.6

4star

CL

2.4

4star

HO

28.8

5star

D

6.8

1star

K

2.0

1star

HB

4.8

3star

CL

1.8

4star

HO

20.3

5star

D

11.4

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

6.8

5star

CL

2.6

5star

HO

32.0

5star

. McInerney is a better tap ruck than Jackson, but Jackson is more nimble and adept with ball in hand. It will be interesting to see whether Jackson competes fully with McInerney at stoppages or if the Freo mids are happy sharking the lumbering Lion's taps.

WHAT WE NEED IN 2024:

A better game plan- the turgid, safe stuff has to go.
Fyfe playing more games than not.
Less Luke Ryan kick ins.
More goals from the midfield.
A Lachie Schultz replacement to step up.
More wins at home.
More Bailey Banfield

41

Bailey Banfield

Age

26

Ht

190cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.5

4star

M

2.9

3star

T

3.9

5star

G

0.3

3star

D

9.5

2star

K

5.3

2star

HB

4.3

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

2.8

4star

G

0.5

4star

D

14.4

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.2

3star

Insta content.
A 'big fish' assistant coach to assist JLo if he's recontracted- Mark Williams/Adam Simpson type.

LET'S PLAY FREMONOPOLY:


We start the season in near the middle of the board, just before free parking. (As an aside, if you're one of those people who give out money for landing on free parking, cut it out as it's Carlton-like behaviour shudder.) So, our aim this season is to jump as many teams as possible and approach premiership junction where Collingwood is located with Brissy close by. We'll also need to approach with caution as to what the Chance or Community Chest cards have in store for us, some examples below:


CALL TO ARMS:

The injury list will probably never be shorter and the weather rarely more delightful as a supporter, so what better time to play the grand finalist of 2023. Fellow fans of the purple, it is time to do what we do best- pride, loyalty and passion. IT'S DOCKER TIME, BABY!

SEASON PREDICTION: 7th-10th​

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

 

[noise36]

The train is reality, the snow is Fremantle's hopes and dreams for 2024!

 

[pK75]

The train is reality, the snow is Fremantle's hopes and dreams for 2024!

That the freo train, the snow is Brisbane, get onboard!

 

[Jezzitizle]

Just getting this one ready for later.

 

[theGav56]

It may be against the opinion of most football followers, but a win is definitely on the cards.

We are showing conservative signs with some selections, but I am also liking Cox coming in and looking to play forward. Aggressive coaching, a little bit different to what Longmuir has shown in the past.

 

[Ge3ks]

Would be a lovely start to 2024 to snag a win against Brissie today. Carn Freo. Carn Sonny.

 

[fnerd]

Let’s go boooooys!

Time to hunt for the treasure!!

 

[The Feeder Club]

Freo by five

 

[Van_Dyke]

Freo by 16

 

[MadEyeEmmy]

 

[Vintage]

I’m preparing myself for significant disappointment. Brisbane by 42.

 

[Bastyy]

I've been troubled by visions of a 30 point victory for weeks now

Amiss will have 5

 

[poshman]

View attachment 1930401

Just getting this one ready for later.

My hopes are WAY UP!

Come on! It is game day. A fresh season to match perfect autumn weather. Which by the way, is putting on a show today!

I mowed the lawn in my old footy shorts, a singlet and freo hat, with my 95 vintage, holey away socks pulled high. The wife was swooning, the kids were laughing and I was delighting!

What a day to be alive! Smell the roses, walk by the river, see some friends, write a thoughtful card, say hello to your mum and get ready for a game!

 

[Madas]

I want some of whatever Poshman is on

Going to the game and taking purple toenails with me

I’m doing my bit

Not sure how this pans out tbh
No Kiddy and Lachie is helpful but would love to have had Darcy in so we could let Jackson off the chain

This is definitely doable but the first game vs a side who’s already played could turn against us

 

[Gussman]

St Patrick's day today so if you have some retro freo gear with a bit of green on it today would be the day to wear it.

 

[Jezzitizle]

Need to be competitive and show a better game plan than last year.

No excuses for losing the midfield battle, even with Darcy out Jackson just adds to our ground level presence. Brisbane losing Neale is huge.

Doesn’t mean we’d win the game, but it is where the coaches have focused their efforts so time for some roi.

 

[Mogumber]

Bit warm, wonder how Brizzy will go late in the game.
We should be fresh, but its humid as *

 

[Dump Truck]

I've been waiting for this day. LFG!!!

 

[King Huskii]

What's the verdict

Are we a chance

 

[poshman]

What's the verdict

Are we a chance

Are we a chance? We are building a home dominance that would make a dom blush! We have this by a minimum of 25.

 

[kp junior]

Ras sub?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fat Nyfe]

Let’s kick this thing into gear. Freo by 10 in a cracker

 

[estibador]

We are building a home dominance that would make a dom blush!

That'll make a nice change from the sub phase we went through last year.

 

[poshman]

That'll make a nice change from the sub phase we went through last year.

We will only win 13-14 games this season, which will be less than the following years, however, we will win big at home. It is going to be fun!