Derby win meaningless??

[Keys]

Got to admit it tho free kicks were abit shifty but in all fairness good win Eagles, see you in the GF

Absolutely agree. No way did freo deserve a lot of the frees they got and there were several the Eagles should have received that went unrewarded

 

[Adzam]

What ever really. People have come up with excuses for us all year. The facts are the season is coming to an end and we are sitting comfortably in 2nd position and just beaten the top team.

 

[boondy]

WHO IS MUNDY .... Dom Sheed says it all

 

[eagles rule]

WHO IS MUNDY .... Dom Sheed says it all

Was that Dwayne ? Just great call that one .

 

[Tazmania]

Clearly the loss here does not hurt Freo in terms of the season/the ladder. And clearly the win here was important for the Eagles in terms of the season/the ladder.

But to suggest they actively tried to lose it is ridiculous. They wanted to win (you could see it in the way they played in the final term) and their sooky crowd certainly wanted them to win.

It was so sweet cheering loudly for our boys when surrounded by the purples...they didn't like it, but felt it okay to cheer loudly en masse when they kicked a couple in a row. Don't understand the sook response from people in crowds when opposition supporters are displaying their passion. So long as the swearing is at a minimum, considering the kids, surely all is fair.

No tank. But Ross' care factor is minimal, which is understandable. He should probably try to work out how to kick 100 points some time though.

Nah your supporters were pretty good this game. Wasn't any biffo that I saw. Compared to those Richmond flogs earlier in the year your supporters were saints. Probably remembering how they felt at the start of the year

Their was a couple of losers turning around and giving the fingers up at us though no one had abused them but you always get one or two flogs in every crowd.

I thought the eagles played very well and deserved the win. What's frustrating is that we know the dockers can play like they did in the 4th because that's what they did in the first 8 rounds. Attacking down the middle with 45 degree kicking to always move forward rapidly. Now we're doing this kick it wide to the wings thing.

 

[wadistance]

I really cant fathom that the Freo players would see winning this derby as meaningless - and I've been taken to pieces on the hawks boards for implying they are as bad as freo fans for suggesting its a ploy to make the hawks travel.

In such a professional era, could you really doctor a game to the point where it wouldnt be detrimental to your momentum/psyche at the pointy end of the season? Were Freo trying to lose? Or did they just get outcoached by a bloke who was missing 2.5 A graders from his selection table.

The whole 'it was a good loss' thing is so disrespectful to the opposition, and if it was the case, Freo clearly don't believe in their 'anywhere, any time' mantra they've been crapping on about for the last few years.

There was just as much at stake for both teams. What if freo slip 2 of the last 3 games. Then they suddenly could be facing the Hawks in the first round.

I think it all comes down to the fact that good teams know how to beat Lyon's teams. If you attack from the start and score heavily, they have to abandon their defensive swarming and try to outscore you, and then the game opens up. As what we saw yesterday.

I cant wait for Hawks v WCE in week 1, regardless of where its played. If we want to win the big dance we need to either beat Hawks on their home ground, or Freo on away turf. Both are tough options. Both achieveable.

 

[BigBirdz]

I really cant fathom that the Freo players would see winning this derby as meaningless - and I've been taken to pieces on the hawks boards for implying they are as bad as freo fans for suggesting its a ploy to make the hawks travel.

In such a professional era, could you really doctor a game to the point where it wouldnt be detrimental to your momentum/psyche at the pointy end of the season? Were Freo trying to lose? Or did they just get outcoached by a bloke who was missing 2.5 A graders from his selection table.

The whole 'it was a good loss' thing is so disrespectful to the opposition, and if it was the case, Freo clearly don't believe in their 'anywhere, any time' mantra they've been crapping on about for the last few years.

There was just as much at stake for both teams. What if freo slip 2 of the last 3 games. Then they suddenly could be facing the Hawks in the first round.

I think it all comes down to the fact that good teams know how to beat Lyon's teams. If you attack from the start and score heavily, they have to abandon their defensive swarming and try to outscore you, and then the game opens up. As what we saw yesterday.

I cant wait for Hawks v WCE in week 1, regardless of where its played. If we want to win the big dance we need to either beat Hawks on their home ground, or Freo on away turf. Both are tough options. Both achieveable.

It was probably more the fact you went over to the Hawks board and were pretty rude in your first post.

 

[bassmanx]

Fan fiction disguised as journalism. Go **** yourself.

 

[ziad]

The meaning of the game is that we can beat Freo and the Swans and with a below strength team were very competitive against the hawks.
That is a meaning that has to be fought for - you can not hear it on slobbos 360.
Going forward is sets the standard for every Eagles player - both in games and for selection.

 

[ausbacker]

Anyone who thinks any professional sporting contest is meaningless (yes, not the literal application of the term) needs their heads examined. Ego transcends all. Fremantle would not have wanted to lose this game nor would West Coast. That's the simple reality of any contest.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

It did feel like yesterday we won the battle but copped a serious dent to winning the war

Despite winning yesterday, with injuries to Schofield, Cripps and Lycett - our premiership chances took a hit.

We may get over the line against the dogs given their tall forwards aren't massively tall. However against Adelaide - who is going to take Walker?

Barrass or Yeo would get monstered.

I can't see us winning both of the next two without Schoey or McGovern. Cripps in particular will be missed next week against their fleet footed defence.

Damn proud of the boys mind you

 

[JackOutback]

I think we all considered the possibility of Freo tanking to keep Hawthorn out of the top 2, but they played their best 22 available, have been pretty poor for months now, and just got beaten convincingly. Sounds like sour grapes from a fan who wants to believe Freo are preparing to fire at the right time.

 

[Johnno22]

Article: bit.ly/1hFOp6j

"It was billed as the most important Western Derby ever.

But in the end it was meaningless.

The Eagles had their sights set on Fremantle. Fremantle had their sights set on September – for three-and-a-half quarters at least.

These were two teams with disparate thirsts.

Fremantle, with top spot already (largely) in their keeping, simply had no good reason to throw everything into this Western Derby. So they didn’t.

On offer were four points, and the Carlton Draught Derby trophy.

A pleasant enough bauble, to be sure, but Ross Lyon has enough of them in Fremantle’s trophy cabinet.

It’s a premiership cup he truly hungers for.

Let’s not forget that in their last premiership year, the Eagles lost twice to Fremantle – the second of which, in round 21, was a brutally one-sided thumping.

The Eagles had bigger fish to fry. This year it was the Dockers who didn’t commit fully.

Fremantle is about more than bragging rights these days."

And they lost to Richmond and Hawthorn for exactly the same reason.

It was all part of a master plan. What a load of crap.........

 

[Johnno22]

They didn't tank ......

If they tanked it is only fair after we tanked against Hawthorn last week.

 

[Gizza]

It did feel like yesterday we won the battle but copped a serious dent to winning the war

Despite winning yesterday, with injuries to Schofield, Cripps and Lycett - our premiership chances took a hit.

We may get over the line against the dogs given their tall forwards aren't massively tall. However against Adelaide - who is going to take Walker?

Barrass or Yeo would get monstered.

I can't see us winning both of the next two without Schoey or McGovern. Cripps in particular will be missed next week against their fleet footed defence.

Damn proud of the boys mind you

Meh, we've been saying that every time we cop some injuries. We'll have Lecca straight in from Cripps, hopefully Nic in for Lycett. Barrass for Schofield is our biggest concern, but I think we've shown enough times this year that our defence is more of a team effort anyway, and if we play well enough we can deny them enough forward entries anyway like we did against the Swans.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Meh, we've been saying that every time we cop some injuries. We'll have Lecca straight in from Cripps, hopefully Nic in for Lycett. Barrass for Schofield is our biggest concern, but I think we've shown enough times this year that our defence is more of a team effort anyway, and if we play well enough we can deny them enough forward entries anyway like we did against the Swans.

At some point the dam bursts - it hurt against GC with Lynch getting over us

Missing your 4 best key defenders. We haven't done that yet. No side has had to do that.

 

[Gizza]

At some point the dam bursts - it hurt against GC with Lynch getting over us

Missing your 4 best key defenders. We haven't done that yet. No side has had to do that.

I think the GC game just backs up my point. Our guys weren't switched on that game and as a result out team defence never really came together. Our mids weren't running to block the space or get back to help in defence.

I think at home we should get over the Dogs. They've looked good the last month, but none of those games were against top 8 sides. Away against Adelaide on the other hand...

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

I really cant fathom that the Freo players would see winning this derby as meaningless - and I've been taken to pieces on the hawks boards for implying they are as bad as freo fans for suggesting its a ploy to make the hawks travel.

In such a professional era, could you really doctor a game to the point where it wouldnt be detrimental to your momentum/psyche at the pointy end of the season? Were Freo trying to lose? Or did they just get outcoached by a bloke who was missing 2.5 A graders from his selection table.

The whole 'it was a good loss' thing is so disrespectful to the opposition, and if it was the case, Freo clearly don't believe in their 'anywhere, any time' mantra they've been crapping on about for the last few years.

There was just as much at stake for both teams. What if freo slip 2 of the last 3 games. Then they suddenly could be facing the Hawks in the first round.

I think it all comes down to the fact that good teams know how to beat Lyon's teams. If you attack from the start and score heavily, they have to abandon their defensive swarming and try to outscore you, and then the game opens up. As what we saw yesterday.

I cant wait for Hawks v WCE in week 1, regardless of where its played. If we want to win the big dance we need to either beat Hawks on their home ground, or Freo on away turf. Both are tough options. Both achieveable.

Eh, it's just people who need to find any reason to cope with a loss. Some people always look for an excuse. Ultimately, just accept it and move on and you'll be a lot happier.

 

[Bender_]

Oh it was definitely the most meaningless derby win for the ages, every Freo supporter in my office has made every effort to make sure I understand how meaningless it was. Almost critically important that I understood.

 

[javaguice]

I think Freo writer is suggesting Dockers are lulling Wce into a false sense of security for when the real stuff begins Idiot

Should get done for tanking then and bringing the game into disrepute.

Geez freo fans are pathetic.

 

[EagleEgo]

1. it means we still have the chance to be in the top 2.
2. it will be recorded in the history as we have won the historical derby(top 1 and 2 late in the season). Evan better, if we both finish top 2 after round 23.

 

[oak79]

Freo wanted to win - yes in terms of ladder position, they are still likely to finish 1st - but they are not in good form at all. Only game they have a looked good recently was against a lowly placed St Kilda.

If they don't find form soon, they will struggle in finals.

If Ross was 'tanking' he would have rested players, not intentionally lost. He didn't rest players.

 

[Johnno22]

Freo wanted to win - yes in terms of ladder position, they are still likely to finish 1st - but they are not in good form at all. Only game they have a looked good recently was against a lowly placed St Kilda.

If they don't find form soon, they will struggle in finals.

If Ross was 'tanking' he would have rested players, not intentionally lost. He didn't rest players.

Exactly.

 

[Hardhat11]

I actually think west coast and Hawks could leap frog Freo on the table still

I think Roos will spank freo at Etihad this week .......Goldstein neutralises Sandilands very well

I think port will beat freo in delayed in round 23 ..it's in Adelaide ....

Think I'm dreaming eh ....these now are two tough games

If freo drop two games and Hawks and WCE win their last 3 ...freo drops to third or fourth.......imagine that

It's distinct possibility

 

[Prem87]

If they were not going to take the game seriously they would have rested Pavlich and Sandilands.