Prediction Changes: Round 3 Vs West Coast Eagles + pre-match discussion

[Footskill]

A spud like Waterman can kick 4 goals but none of our forwards can is actually laughable.

The way they moved the ball was alot quicker and better delivery. Maybe consider that

 

[trentjac]

Surely the most painful think out of the Eagles game is Hogan kicking 3:4 on top of 3 last week?? Once again he's a good fwd since leaving Freo.

He always had skill. It was his lack of ‘off field’ discipline that made us give him the old heave ho

 

[apuchar]

Speaking of, at what point do missed tackles become a major problem for Serong?

I just can’t trust him in clearances anymore and know if he’s on certain opponents he won’t stick a tackle if they get to the ball first. At times last night he was on Cunnington, LDU etc and I was cringing before the ball was bounced.

Certainly still deserves his spot in the team but we really need to expect more from him in this area. Won’t be an overnight fix.

He seems to be at his best as the receiver in there. Trouble is no-one else is winning it for him.
Personally, I would start looking elsewhere from now. Erasmus, Johnson, Switta, Aish and possibly even guys like Wagner should be looked at and whoever else we may recruit or I have forgotten. The inside mid roles were handed to he and Brayshaw but they should have to perform to hold onto it.
Brayshaw could help on one wing and Serong may be able to spend time as a crumbling forward.
There are some pretty big guys that play inside mid. I don't blame the two fellas for being intimidated by the size and age difference they are facing many weeks.
Let's see what else we have on the list If nothing else it will increase our rotations and flexibility.

 

[stormee]

How can the blues play Hollands but we can’t give Erasmus or MJ a game? Surely they would bring some dare at least

 

[apuchar]

How can the blues play Hollands but we can’t give Erasmus or MJ a game? Surely they would bring some dare at least

I agree, but people on here went berserk when Erasmus missed his kicks last year. We want our young guys to be given a go, as long as they are perfect

 

[dominguez]

I'll keep saying it until people start reporting me.

The 1st round pick is a sunk cost. It's irrelevant. Development is still the best option for this team going forward.

Treacy, Amiss, Sturt, Erasmus, Johnson should all play 10+ games this year.

We were a Heath Chapman knuckle away from 0-2 after 2 games last year and just missed the top 4. To go back into rebuild mode after 2 weeks would be insane IMO.

If that's the plan after trading 2 x first rounders for the Unicorn then Bell, Walls, Garlick, JLo have to go.

 

[dominguez]

How can the blues play Hollands but we can’t give Erasmus or MJ a game? Surely they would bring some dare at least

1 - Carlton are a joke.

2 - Dropping Henry or Banfield for Erasmus isn't going to fix our clearance issues.

 

[trentjac]

Johnson to my knowledge was supposed to be our Mundy replacement. At 193cm he fits the bill.

JOM is not a replacement for Mundy. He should play HFF and start getting mid minutes into MJ

 

[TheMcManusNose]

We were a Heath Chapman knuckle away from 0-2 after 2 games last year and just missed the top 4. To go back into rebuild mode after 2 weeks would be insane IMO.

If that's the plan after trading 2 x first rounders for the Unicorn then Bell, Walls, Garlick, JLo have to go.

I agree they should go! (Joking)

Not sure how else we're going to get better though? Quite a few in the 22 yesterday who aren't the solution short, medium or long term.

Play the kids and just cop it for the long term benefits. Like i say, sunk cost, we don't get the pick back if we're shit.

 

[dominguez]

This.

Our problems this year are clearly stemming from the midfield. Either we no longer have the cattle or our current squad is down on confidence or both IMO. In any event, JL now needs to show some nouse and correct the trend or he and the rest of the coaching group will be on borrowed time with the members.

So, if that means moving Jaeger into a resting half forward/mid position and trialling a bull like Ras at the coal-face, then just try it. We should have tried SOMETHING different against last year’s spooners last night, but no, this insufferable conservatism at the selection committee table cost us again.

Wake the * up Freo.

Do you follow the club on Insta? Pre-game both weeks the guys have been laughing, joking, signing autographs, posing for selfies.

They've been believing the Flagmantle hype and figured we'd cruise to 5 goal wins against Saints and North.

Like the start of Rocky 3, there's no hunger.

 

[trentjac]

Like the start of Rocky 3, there's no hunger.

I don’t hate the man…….. I pity the fool

 

[Freomaniac]

A spud like Waterman can kick 4 goals but none of our forwards can is actually laughable.

Yep it's amazing that despite 6 years of not making finals, we don't have a Waterman or Oscar Allen type that are 190-193 cm and can kick 4 goals in a game or 30-35 goals a season

 

[Footskill]

Yep it's amazing that despite 6 years of not making finals, we don't have a Waterman or Oscar Allen type that are 190-193 cm and can kick 4 goals in a game or 30-35 goals a season

Lol really. the same Waterman that couldn't make the team for their first game and has been dropped so many times last year.

 

[blue shark]

I agree, but people on here went berserk when Erasmus missed his kicks last year. We want our young guys to be given a go, as long as they are perfect

Erasmus and Johnson get on the scoreboard at Peel, Neil is an inside mid and
forward player. Many inside mids are average kicks, but he also has an outside
game, good hands and run.
Johnson is the silky type with pace and height, outside AFL prototype.
Erasmus put himself in hospital pre-season to get better, Johnson has a point
to prove.
These guys are hungry, desperate, and exactly what’s missing from Freo, Passion.
It’s a different ball game when you become the hunted, opposition have done
their homework and we lack appetite for the contest.
To say-the team needs a player to debut is an understatement.
Every year we have had players in the running for the rising star, this year
somethings changed.

 

[Midnite65]

Defence is doing very well given the massive clearances difference. Back the 6 to hold the wall. The backline having to start the offence is tough

Our defence is doing pretty well when they get to set up but look very vulnerable when the ball moves quick and they are one on one. Pearce also has a tendency to push in the back or hold an opponent when he is one on one.

 

[Midnite65]

Surely the most painful think out of the Eagles game is Hogan kicking 3:4 on top of 3 last week?? Once again he's a good fwd since leaving Freo.

Maybe its just because he finally grew up and isnt the baby with his issues we had who couldnt handle simple COVID instructions??

 

[Midnite65]

I agree they should go! (Joking)

Not sure how else we're going to get better though? Quite a few in the 22 yesterday who aren't the solution short, medium or long term.

Play the kids and just cop it for the long term benefits. Like i say, sunk cost, we don't get the pick back if we're s**t.

We have been playing the kids for 3-4 years now though. Once we get Johnson and Erasmus in are we still going to be saying play the kids for the next 20 years???

 

[FreoRicci]

We have been playing the kids for 3-4 years now though. Once we get Johnson and Erasmus in are we still going to be saying play the kids for the next 20 years???

They’re not the kids though. Every great team still debut or develop. Erasmus and MJ aren’t going to set back the progression of the team.

 

[Lach72]

They’re not the kids though. Every great team still debut or develop. Erasmus and MJ aren’t going to set back the progression of the team.

Exactly right. They were big bodied mids supposedly able to take the game on.


there’s a fella who just kicked three in his second game for St Kilda..in his second game…

The midfield group is not performing. Put them on notice, and bring these guys in

 

[Deathly]

If Johnson and Erasmus aren't in the B22 (and staying) within the fortnight there's something seriously ****ed in the head with the MC.

 

[blue shark]

They’re not the kids though. Every great team still debut or develop. Erasmus and MJ aren’t going to set back the progression of the team.

Hewitt just debuted for WC as the sub.
Not ideal, but it’s a start and at least we can see if Johnson can add
to the mix.
Our window just got pushed out realistically, it won’t include Fyfe, Walters, Hughes
and Wilson. Unless we follow the Pies blueprint, and take the game on, its an
revolving door.

 

[Nolo180]

Our defence is doing pretty well when they get to set up but look very vulnerable when the ball moves quick and they are one on one. Pearce also has a tendency to push in the back or hold an opponent when he is one on one.

This holds true for any team. Freo have good 1v1 defenders.

 

[millsy]

Erasmus and Johnson get on the scoreboard at Peel, Neil is an inside mid and
forward player. Many inside mids are average kicks, but he also has an outside
game, good hands and run.
Johnson is the silky type with pace and height, outside AFL prototype.
Erasmus put himself in hospital pre-season to get better, Johnson has a point
to prove.
These guys are hungry, desperate, and exactly what’s missing from Freo, Passion.
It’s a different ball game when you become the hunted, opposition have done
their homework and we lack appetite for the contest.
To say-the team needs a player to debut is an understatement.
Every year we have had players in the running for the rising star, this year
somethings changed.

Agree. I watched one pre season session that was an intra club and both looked more than capable of holding their own. I think we missed a trick not having one involved at least as the 23rd the first two weeks. Pending where Noddy is at both otherwise get a role this week?

 

[FreoRicci]

Our defence is doing pretty well when they get to set up but look very vulnerable when the ball moves quick and they are one on one. Pearce also has a tendency to push in the back or hold an opponent when he is one on one.

That’s every team. There’s zone defence and during the fast transition on the counter, the top teams have solid one on one defenders. Back Cox, Pearce and Ryan. They’re not the issue.
72 points conceded yesterday, 67 last week. Any other team, they’d thrash the opposition keeping teams to those scores. But that’s not Fremantle.
The defence will keep the game close as much as possible. The midfield need to stand up.

 

[G Mus]

Couldn’t agree more. Henry has a good football brain. He instinctively knows where a ball can go and where it is dangerous. A lot of the time he takes the riskiest option and it doesn’t quite come off but he takes those risks.

Hughes can’t play football. He only has two modes : panic or slow motion. He either gets the ball and just randomly handballs it in a random direction or he gets the ball. Stops. Looks around. Takes a smoke break. Lets the opponent get their numbers back. Then kicks the ball 15m to a contest. He’s an absolute liability for good ball movement and the team.

Good footy brains know to kick to open players inside 50 not just blindly pump it long to a contest

He’s also completely risk averse in the forward half and shit scared of the goal