LAST TIME THEY MET
Fremantle (6.4.40) def Collingwood (4.3.27) @ Optus Stadium
Last time they met it was in front of a AFLW record crowd of 41,975 and was the first game of football ever played at Optus Stadium. The atmosphere was fantastic and I'm still disappointed that the AFL didn't find a way to have any AFLW games played at Optus this year.
At the time, it was Fremantle's best performance since the AFLW competition started and they never looked like losing despite a typical slow start allowing the Pies to kick the first two goals. From then on Fremantle took control kicking 6 of the next 8 goals to the delight of the huge crowd.
Dana Hooker was once again the star of the show, well supported by Kara Donellan and Hayley Miller, whilst Lisa Webb was simply amazing with her run on the outside. But like all of Fremantle's AFLW wins it was a great team effort, this time structuring well to regularly lock the ball forward.
WHAT'S CHANGED?
Well if you haven't already noticed, Fremantle now has an awesome forward line. Six of seven forwards got at least a goal last week, and three of them got 2. Sharp won goal of the week, and probably had the second best goal of the week as well. But it's not just the goal kicking (that they practiced heaps in the pre-season), they are working really really well together as a unit, highlighted best by O'Sullivan's tap over the top for Duffy to run into goal. And although they didn't have to rely on it as much last weekend, their forward pressure has also been great this season - our talls and smalls are all quick and agile. What's is perhaps scary is Gibson, arguably Freo's most skilled forward, is yet to hit her straps (she was the only forward not to kick a goal last week).
Fremantle's midfield has also been far more dominant than they have been given credit for by the East Coast media, and not just this season but the past two seasons as well. Despite most commentators crowing on about disposal totals I'd happily take being the #1 team for contested possessions and clearances any day - which we have always been. What's changed though, is Fremantle now have a forward line to kick to, that can take advantage of that ball winning dominance. Encouragingly there's also a good chance it is only going to get better as Bowers settles in, Miller finds some form post recovery, and Donnellan settles fully into her strength in a quarterback role, knowing she doesn't have to do it all herself with better class and support around her.
Meanwhile the Pies are really struggling. Last week they had a dismal 12 inside 50s, a pathetic 33% efficiency inside 50 and the equal lowest AFLW score in history. Just 4 shots at goal in a full game of football against a team that is far from flying themselves (Melbourne). Some may say they were better the week before against Geelong, but they still only managed 9 shots at goal from a 31% i50 efficiency. Their midfield just doesn't appear strong enough to win enough ball and compete against decent teams. Brazill is almost single handedly keeping them in games.
TEAMS
Fremantle (edited to reflect real positions)
B T.Bresland 5, P.Seth 18
HB A.Stannett 24, A.Williams 9, E.Gooch 8
C H.Miller 19, K.Donnellan 15, S.Cain 20
HF K.Gibson 21, E.Antonio 12, S.Duffy 6
F G.Houghton 27, A.Sharp 1
FOL P.Laurie 11, D.Hooker 17, K.Bowers 2
I/C M.Caulfield 10, A.Atkins 37, K.Grieve 13, L.Pugh 32, B.Moyes 55
Emg L.Mascall 14, C.Stubbs 4
In: L.Pugh, B.Moyes
Out: G.O'Sullivan (suspension), L.Mascall
Collingwood
B: J.Allen 6, A.Brazill 10, I.Ross 21
HB: S.Livingstone 12, R.Schleicher 18, N.Hildebrand 3
C: B.Bonnici 8
HF: S.Dargan 46, S.D'Arcy 4, K.Lynch 16
F: S.Rowe 7, S.Alexander 24, C.McIntosh 20
Foll: E.Hynes 11, S.Chiocci (c) 17, J.Lambert 13
I/C: S.Casey 22, M.Shevlin 35, G.Gourlay 32, M.Cann 25, H.Whitford 28
Emg: S.Layton 1, J.Membrey 31
In: N.Hildebrand, S.Alexander, M.Shevlin, H.Whitford
Out: L.Butler, E.Fowler, S.Layton, E.Grant (injured)
PREDICTION
If the past two weeks are any indiction then Fremantle's midfield should absolutely smash the Pies'. I can't see how they will be able to contain all of Hooker, Bowers and Donnellan. I'm also expecting Cooper to inject more speed in the middle than he did last week, with Miller, Caulfield and Sharp the most likely options. And we might also see Gibson get some time on ball to get her into the game. Last week's game was O'Sullivan's best ever imo, and her suspension is annoying but unlikely to have any impact on the outcome of this game. Antonio won't need to head down back at all this week as Gooch, Williams, Bresland and co should easily account for the Pies' forward line irrespective of wind conditions.
I suspect the Pies will want to have Brazill (clearly their best player) playing on ball but with Houghton and Antonio roaming Fremantle's forward 50 I suspect they'll need her class in defence. I'm also hoping they whisper in her ear about coming back to WA where she lived (playing netball) from '12-'16.
In past seasons Fremantle have proven a struggling team can pull an unexpected win out of nowhere but I just can't see Fremantle dropping the ball with this one and I think it will become more a question of the margin rather than the result. It's a great opportunity for Fremantle to improve their percentage and potentially take top spot on the Conference A ladder. With North and the Dogs playing each other, a win guarantees Freo will be top 2 in Conference A at the end of the round.
Fremantle by 6 goals. (If you thought my 4 goal prediction last week was optimistic, you should know I did consider saying 8 goals this week - we are capable of breaking records in this game)
Fremantle (6.4.40) def Collingwood (4.3.27) @ Optus Stadium
Last time they met it was in front of a AFLW record crowd of 41,975 and was the first game of football ever played at Optus Stadium. The atmosphere was fantastic and I'm still disappointed that the AFL didn't find a way to have any AFLW games played at Optus this year.
At the time, it was Fremantle's best performance since the AFLW competition started and they never looked like losing despite a typical slow start allowing the Pies to kick the first two goals. From then on Fremantle took control kicking 6 of the next 8 goals to the delight of the huge crowd.
Dana Hooker was once again the star of the show, well supported by Kara Donellan and Hayley Miller, whilst Lisa Webb was simply amazing with her run on the outside. But like all of Fremantle's AFLW wins it was a great team effort, this time structuring well to regularly lock the ball forward.
WHAT'S CHANGED?
Well if you haven't already noticed, Fremantle now has an awesome forward line. Six of seven forwards got at least a goal last week, and three of them got 2. Sharp won goal of the week, and probably had the second best goal of the week as well. But it's not just the goal kicking (that they practiced heaps in the pre-season), they are working really really well together as a unit, highlighted best by O'Sullivan's tap over the top for Duffy to run into goal. And although they didn't have to rely on it as much last weekend, their forward pressure has also been great this season - our talls and smalls are all quick and agile. What's is perhaps scary is Gibson, arguably Freo's most skilled forward, is yet to hit her straps (she was the only forward not to kick a goal last week).
Fremantle's midfield has also been far more dominant than they have been given credit for by the East Coast media, and not just this season but the past two seasons as well. Despite most commentators crowing on about disposal totals I'd happily take being the #1 team for contested possessions and clearances any day - which we have always been. What's changed though, is Fremantle now have a forward line to kick to, that can take advantage of that ball winning dominance. Encouragingly there's also a good chance it is only going to get better as Bowers settles in, Miller finds some form post recovery, and Donnellan settles fully into her strength in a quarterback role, knowing she doesn't have to do it all herself with better class and support around her.
Meanwhile the Pies are really struggling. Last week they had a dismal 12 inside 50s, a pathetic 33% efficiency inside 50 and the equal lowest AFLW score in history. Just 4 shots at goal in a full game of football against a team that is far from flying themselves (Melbourne). Some may say they were better the week before against Geelong, but they still only managed 9 shots at goal from a 31% i50 efficiency. Their midfield just doesn't appear strong enough to win enough ball and compete against decent teams. Brazill is almost single handedly keeping them in games.
TEAMS
Fremantle (edited to reflect real positions)
B T.Bresland 5, P.Seth 18
HB A.Stannett 24, A.Williams 9, E.Gooch 8
C H.Miller 19, K.Donnellan 15, S.Cain 20
HF K.Gibson 21, E.Antonio 12, S.Duffy 6
F G.Houghton 27, A.Sharp 1
FOL P.Laurie 11, D.Hooker 17, K.Bowers 2
I/C M.Caulfield 10, A.Atkins 37, K.Grieve 13, L.Pugh 32, B.Moyes 55
Emg L.Mascall 14, C.Stubbs 4
In: L.Pugh, B.Moyes
Out: G.O'Sullivan (suspension), L.Mascall
Collingwood
B: J.Allen 6, A.Brazill 10, I.Ross 21
HB: S.Livingstone 12, R.Schleicher 18, N.Hildebrand 3
C: B.Bonnici 8
HF: S.Dargan 46, S.D'Arcy 4, K.Lynch 16
F: S.Rowe 7, S.Alexander 24, C.McIntosh 20
Foll: E.Hynes 11, S.Chiocci (c) 17, J.Lambert 13
I/C: S.Casey 22, M.Shevlin 35, G.Gourlay 32, M.Cann 25, H.Whitford 28
Emg: S.Layton 1, J.Membrey 31
In: N.Hildebrand, S.Alexander, M.Shevlin, H.Whitford
Out: L.Butler, E.Fowler, S.Layton, E.Grant (injured)
PREDICTION
If the past two weeks are any indiction then Fremantle's midfield should absolutely smash the Pies'. I can't see how they will be able to contain all of Hooker, Bowers and Donnellan. I'm also expecting Cooper to inject more speed in the middle than he did last week, with Miller, Caulfield and Sharp the most likely options. And we might also see Gibson get some time on ball to get her into the game. Last week's game was O'Sullivan's best ever imo, and her suspension is annoying but unlikely to have any impact on the outcome of this game. Antonio won't need to head down back at all this week as Gooch, Williams, Bresland and co should easily account for the Pies' forward line irrespective of wind conditions.
I suspect the Pies will want to have Brazill (clearly their best player) playing on ball but with Houghton and Antonio roaming Fremantle's forward 50 I suspect they'll need her class in defence. I'm also hoping they whisper in her ear about coming back to WA where she lived (playing netball) from '12-'16.
In past seasons Fremantle have proven a struggling team can pull an unexpected win out of nowhere but I just can't see Fremantle dropping the ball with this one and I think it will become more a question of the margin rather than the result. It's a great opportunity for Fremantle to improve their percentage and potentially take top spot on the Conference A ladder. With North and the Dogs playing each other, a win guarantees Freo will be top 2 in Conference A at the end of the round.
Fremantle by 6 goals. (If you thought my 4 goal prediction last week was optimistic, you should know I did consider saying 8 goals this week - we are capable of breaking records in this game)
