- Jul 20, 2014
- 8,194
- 18,414
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
VS
Domain Stadium April 22 2017, 1740 hrs
As most know the Len Hall Tribute Game is played in honour of the last WA Gallipoli veteran. Len died in Feb 1999 so remarkably, the last Len Hall game that Len himself lived to see was the legendary 1998 clash also against North Melbourne. It was in this game that the second greatest goal ever kicked by a Docker (greatest S Hill, 2013 qualifying final) was the cheery on top of a very creamy night out for anyone there.
By contrast, the last Len Hall game vs North in 2014 was a shocking Freo loss, we led at each change before North overran us in the last when we were held goalless for the quarter. Fair to say, Freo versus North as the Len Hall special has had its ups and downs for us.
Outside LH games, we have had an interesting recent history with the shinboners. Many will remember the unwarranted hype around the 2012 North team, and the game in round 22 that year when the Pav-less Freo entered Etihad with the widespread belief in the football world that we were about to be put out of the finals race. Then this happened:
As for pinchgate, I can’t even go there without getting angry, but that’s for another time.
And so to this game. Yes it’s the second worst versus worst team defensive record in the league, with both backlines shakier than a 17 year old from Albany in a Turkish trench. But North have had a tough fixture to start the year and 0-4 doesn’t reflect the quality of some of their play.
How North could win:
a. With two rucks working in tandem North are probably the one team in the comp at the moment to match Sandilands. Preuss is getting positive reviews and Goldstein is class. Our new game plan has us setting up more offensively at stoppages to take maximum advantage of the Sandi dominance, and North could disrupt this plan. The question is whether, outside Cunnington who is top shelf, they have the inside game to capitalise.
b. Get the ball in to Brown one on one. Unless Dawson comes back in (which he won’t), we can’t reliably defend this. Higgins is the key here, he isn’t just a good pressure player but a smart one. If North can get it in quickly and Higgins can organise the other forwards to get out of his way, Big Ben could kick a few.
Where Freo should win:
a. Outside game. We have the clear advantage here. We seem to be getting better each week at spreading from the contest and getting the ball reliably into the hands of your Hills and Langdon. North aren’t quick and we should be able to outrun them.
b. Midfield contribution to the scoreboard. Our spread of goalkickers across games, even when we were losing, was a step up this year. It would drive an opposition coach crazy to have Neale and Mundy kick seven between them in a game. North’s mid to small defenders looked confused on a regular basis against the bullies on Friday.
Possible changes. Mason Wood might come back for North, he’s been a productive goalkicker against us before I recall. All sensible supporters hope and pray we lose neither S Hill or Walters to general soreness, the most hated general since General Bridges of the 1st Australian Division himself.
Prediction: Fremantle 25.4, North 19.15?
Nah, honestly, Freo by 14 points
