Autopsy Our bottom Six.

[Boppo]

We lack skilled backmen the size of jdaicos and quaynor at the Pies. We ask too much of Clarke.

 

[Boomer93]

We lack skilled backmen the size of jdaicos and quaynor at the Pies. We ask too much of Clarke.

Quanor is horrible with the footy? Hes exceptional at defending, but offensively hes below average.

 

[fleur]

We need players who don’t shit themselves in high stakes games

 

[TimN2]

We lack skilled backmen the size of jdaicos and quaynor at the Pies. We ask too much of Clarke.

I think a fit Walker fills that gap, along with Wagner when he's not following someone. But I agree that it'd be nice to have another at least capable of playing that role reliably, because stuff happens.

 

[Barnabus]

We lack skilled backmen the size of jdaicos and quaynor at the Pies. We ask too much of Clarke.

Agree. We have too many mid sized defenders. If you were an opposition coach who of our 7 defenders are you even putting work into. For me it is only Clark. Need ball users like Simpson and Chapman more involved in the play to give other teams something to think about.

 

[dropbear101]

i've said for years now. when we are making a deep run at finals banfields position is a sub.
he has the mentality to cope with it. he also nearly averaged a goal a game as a sub a few seasons ago.
hes flexible. reckon thats his position.

 

[stax on the mull]

You're always going to have a bottom 6, so I guess the general gist of this thread is to move 6 players outside the Top 10 (the players rated 11-17 on our list) into the bottom 6 next year, yeah?

Maybe more complicated that that.

 

[Dockeroo]

You're always going to have a bottom 6, so I guess the general gist of this thread is to move 6 players outside the Top 10 (the players rated 11-17 on our list) into the bottom 6 next year, yeah?

Maybe more complicated that that.

Mark duffield summed this issue up well today.
He said in the recent Brisbane game he counted 11 Fremantle players on the park that day that would not get a game in Brisbane's B22.
Basically that means our 14th or 15th best player is comparable to their 22nd or 23rd best.
If you removed the top 11 players from both lists - you are selecting mostly Brisbane players from there onwards.

There are just two ways this changes.
1. These players in question go up a level next season.
2. They are shuffled out of the 22 and better players replace them.

Excluding Fyfe as sub our bottom 7 is approx:

Worner
Banfield
JOM
NOD
Amiss
Frederick
Dudley

Was close to putting chapman in but he’s probably our 15th best.

• I think JOM and Banfield definitely won’t improve
• Frederick is 26 next year. Not sure he’s got much improvement either.
• Dudley has the greatest scope for improvement on that list. Amiss can and has to get better too.
• worner did improve this year so deserves another chance to keep improving but if he flatlines and becomes only as good as he is right now that’s probably not good enough.
• NOD I just don’t know what to make of. Unless he’s inside mid then he’s not much use. But he’s not good enough to play inside. Not convinced he is a long term prospect anymore.

Wagner and Switta are two obvious personnel improvements.
Hopefully Simpson too
Maybe McVee if he comes.
Then there is Josh draper who really should be playing at AFL level.
Brandon Walker maybe.

Given there will always be 2 or 3 injured I still don’t think we have enough depth. Need to scour the state leagues for more bargain pickups

Could Josh Draper be reinvented as an athletic winger like Dempsey from the cats I wonder?

 

[stax on the mull]

Banfield is clearly a stopgap at half-back. Don't think Walker was ready IMO, just from watching the WAFL streams right up to the last round he still seemed to be avoiding contact in contests when had to put his hands in the air to mark, and Simpson was just too much of a risk to go into finals having only played 2 AFL games in that role (and starting a 3rd where he was injured early).

Listened to a lot of Extra Time tonight on ABC because it was mostly Fremantle talk and Bell suggested Frederick should be moved to the wing.

I think I'm preparing for post-grief after our Saturday finals exit. I know nothing can be solved in the next few days.

 

[Freomaniac]

Banfield is clearly a stopgap at half-back. Don't think Walker was ready IMO, just from watching the WAFL streams right up to the last round he still seemed to be avoiding contact in contests when had to put his hands in the air to mark, and Simpson was just too much of a risk to go into finals having only played 2 AFL games in that role (and starting a 3rd where he was injured early).

Listened to a lot of Extra Time tonight on ABC because it was mostly Fremantle talk and Bell suggested Frederick should be moved to the wing.

I think I'm preparing for post-grief after our Saturday finals exit. I know nothing can be solved in the next few days.

If Bailey Banfield of 2025 was on the list of the Ross Lyon finals era of 2012-15, there was and is no way Bailey Banfield would be in freos back 6.

The smalls were Duffield, Ibbotson and Spurr. All 3 of those blokes were reliable on their disposals with hand or foot.

Then there is the talls. McPharlin and Michael Johnson were decent with hand or foot.

Zac Dawson couldn't kick a ball decently if his life depended on it. He can do the other basics.

 

[stax on the mull]

If Bailey Banfield of 2025 was on the list of the Ross Lyon finals era of 2012-15, there was and is no way Bailey Banfield would be in freos back 6.

The smalls were Duffield, Ibbotson and Spurr. All 3 of those blokes were reliable on their disposals with hand or foot.

Then there is the talls. McPharlin and Michael Johnson were decent with hand or foot.

Zac Dawson couldn't kick a ball decently if his life depended on it. He can do the other basics.

I'm not sure what the point of this is, other than to recall "the olden days". Sutcliffe was there too wasn't he? Maybe Sheridan in 2015. Duffield was phased out in the middle of 2015 - after the Richmond game that was our 1st loss for the season - though he played a few more before the end of that season, but not finals.

 

[Bringbacktheeighties]

Banfield is clearly a stopgap at half-back. Don't think Walker was ready IMO, just from watching the WAFL streams right up to the last round he still seemed to be avoiding contact in contests when had to put his hands in the air to mark, and Simpson was just too much of a risk to go into finals having only played 2 AFL games in that role (and starting a 3rd where he was injured early).

Listened to a lot of Extra Time tonight on ABC because it was mostly Fremantle talk and Bell suggested Frederick should be moved to the wing.

I think I'm preparing for post-grief after our Saturday finals exit. I know nothing can be solved in the next few days.

How the &$@#%?? Is Frederick not wing anyway?
If he is a high forward that’s nuts. He is Sharp with a bit more pace. Neither of them can tackle and avoid contest but run all day and can drill a ball.
I think Frederick is an upgrade in Sharp because he will kick more goals .

Just find a contested marking wing for the other side. Acres style.

 

[bruzaar62]

If Bailey Banfield of 2025 was on the list of the Ross Lyon finals era of 2012-15, there was and is no way Bailey Banfield would be in freos back 6.

The smalls were Duffield, Ibbotson and Spurr. All 3 of those blokes were reliable on their disposals with hand or foot.

Then there is the talls. McPharlin and Michael Johnson were decent with hand or foot.

Zac Dawson couldn't kick a ball decently if his life depended on it. He can do the other basics.

Mcpharlaps kicking was a tad better than Dawsons-similar to Pearce I recon

 

[gungho]

At the end of the day, Freddy might not be a good enough player to be wing. Pretty much like Sharp and Noddy.

 

[gungho]

If Bailey Banfield of 2025 was on the list of the Ross Lyon finals era of 2012-15, there was and is no way Bailey Banfield would be in freos back 6.

The smalls were Duffield, Ibbotson and Spurr. All 3 of those blokes were reliable on their disposals with hand or foot.

Then there is the talls. McPharlin and Michael Johnson were decent with hand or foot.

Zac Dawson couldn't kick a ball decently if his life depended on it. He can do the other basics.

The Lyon era defence had some terrible users of the footy.
McPharlin, Dawson and Sutcliffe were shocking. Ibbotson was incredibly indecisive and slow at moving the ball and Spur wasn’t much better.
The only decent kick was Duffield.

 

[stax on the mull]

How the &$@#%?? Is Frederick not wing anyway?
If he is a high forward that’s nuts. He is Sharp with a bit more pace. Neither of them can tackle and avoid contest but run all day and can drill a ball.
I think Frederick is an upgrade in Sharp because he will kick more goals .

Just find a contested marking wing for the other side. Acres style.

I know some other people have mentioned it at times - but I don't know. Wing was the position he played when he was recruited.

You still need some physicality for a wing position in AFL - and have to be clean at ground level, not fumble, and be able go deep into defense - these are the criticisms of Frederick.

Maybe some WAFL might be good for Freddy. Work out that he's got an AFL physique against some WAFL physiques and transfer it back to AFL. I remember reading that he grew 8cm - 10cm taller in the 18 months prior to draft 18yo-19yo - and he's pretty much jumped straight into AFL the next season. Coaches said at the time of drafting that he wasn't even on the radar at the start of that AFL draft year because he was too small.

 

[Bringbacktheeighties]

I know some other people have mentioned it at times - but I don't know. Wing was the position he played when he was recruited.

You still need some physicality for a wing position in AFL - and have to be clean at ground level, not fumble, and be able go deep into defense - these are the criticisms of Frederick.

Maybe some WAFL might be good for Freddy. Work out that he's got an AFL physique against some WAFL physiques and transfer it back to AFL. I remember it was said he grew 8cm - 10cm in the 18 months prior to draft 18yo-19yo - and he's pretty much jumped straight into AFL. Coaches said at the time of drafting that he wasn't even on the radar at the start of that AFL draft year because he was too small.

I think you can have one wing like Frederick . But the other wing needs to be a physical contested marking style or inside to outside mid type. Definitely not enough room for Frederick and Sharp.

 

[Freomaniac]

I'm not sure what the point of this is, other than to recall "the olden days". Sutcliffe was there too wasn't he? Maybe Sheridan in 2015. Duffield was phased out in the middle of 2015 - after the Richmond game that was our 1st loss for the season - though he played a few more before the end of that season, but not finals.

I don't think Cam Sutcliffe was a terrible kick.

Paul Duffield was a late bloomer. From the 2003 rookie list.

He played a few games in 2006-7.

He was essentially in the best 22 from 2009 until mid 2015

 

[Dockeroo]

Posted this on a different thread but what do we do about Josh draper?
This is a guy that was on the 22u22 team last year and is clearly an AFL talent.
After a bit of second season syndrome this year he should be back in form again next year. He’s too good to be at peel for the next 3 years.

Pearce and Cox and Ryan are all b22 locks though so how can we get him into the team?
Could he be a tall winger?

If not and he can’t find a spot in our first team - maybe we approach GWS and swap him for one of their fringe small forwards that can’t get a game? Phoenix Gothard and Ollie Hannabury were both first round picks that are small forwards and it’s an area GWS are stacked in. With leek aleer leaving maybe draper could fit into their team as a win win.

He’s too good to be just a peel player waiting for an injury at our club to play AFL in my opinion.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Mark duffield summed this issue up well today.
He said in the recent Brisbane game he counted 11 Fremantle players on the park that day that would not get a game in Brisbane's B22.
Basically that means our 14th or 15th best player is comparable to their 22nd or 23rd best.
If you removed the top 11 players from both lists - you are selecting mostly Brisbane players from there onwards.

There are just two ways this changes.
1. These players in question go up a level next season.
2. They are shuffled out of the 22 and better players replace them.

Excluding Fyfe as sub our bottom 7 is approx:

Worner
Banfield
JOM
NOD
Amiss
Frederick
Dudley

Was close to putting chapman in but he’s probably our 15th best.

• I think JOM and Banfield definitely won’t improve
• Frederick is 26 next year. Not sure he’s got much improvement either.
• Dudley has the greatest scope for improvement on that list. Amiss can and has to get better too.
• worner did improve this year so deserves another chance to keep improving but if he flatlines and becomes only as good as he is right now that’s probably not good enough.
• NOD I just don’t know what to make of. Unless he’s inside mid then he’s not much use. But he’s not good enough to play inside. Not convinced he is a long term prospect anymore.

Wagner and Switta are two obvious personnel improvements.
Hopefully Simpson too
Maybe McVee if he comes.
Then there is Josh draper who really should be playing at AFL level.
Brandon Walker maybe.

Given there will always be 2 or 3 injured I still don’t think we have enough depth. Need to scour the state leagues for more bargain pickups

Could Josh Draper be reinvented as an athletic winger like Dempsey from the cats I wonder?

I think what makes it worse, is the lack of quality we have playing for Peel to cover injuries.

I think our defence is well covered for injuries, in the midfield we have NOD, Sharp and JOM will provide reasonable depth to cover injuries.
There is no one in the forward line I am confortable playing, should we get any injuries. I am not sure Dudley or Frederick should be locked into the best 23 either, both need to be under pressure to hold their spot.
Forward depth, and classy winger to add to the best 23 are clearly our biggest needs.

I am not sure how you improve this through the draft alone, when we only have one first round pick.


2026 Best 23

FB L Ryan B Cox A Pearce
HB H Chapman K Worner J Clark
C M. Johnson N Erasmus M Reid
HF I Dudley P Voss S Bolton
FF J Amiss J Treacy M Frederick

Fol L Jackson C Serong A Brayshaw

b: H Young, Wagner, S Darcy , C. Simpson , S. Switta

Peel

FB: B. Waker O. McDonald Draper
HB: B Banfield H Davies
C: J O'Meara N O'Driscoll J Sharp
HF: J Carr A. Riddle
FF: C. Nicholls O. Murphy
Fol:
B: 4 draft picks

Out: Fyfe, Walters, Aish, Sturt, Reidy, Brodie, Narkle, Jones, Delean

 

[Dockeroo]

I think what makes it worse, is the lack of quality we have playing for Peel to cover injuries.

I think our defence is well covered for injuries, in the midfield we have NOD, Sharp and JOM will provide reasonable depth to cover injuries.
There is no one in the forward line I am confortable playing, should we get any injuries. I am not sure Dudley or Frederick should be locked into the best 23 either, both need to be under pressure to hold their spot.
Forward depth, and classy winger to add to the best 23 are clearly our biggest needs.

I am not sure how you improve this through the draft alone, when we only have one first round pick.


2026 Best 23

FB L Ryan B Cox A Pearce
HB H Chapman K Worner J Clark
C M. Johnson N Erasmus M Reid
HF I Dudley P Voss S Bolton
FF J Amiss J Treacy M Frederick

Fol L Jackson C Serong A Brayshaw

b: H Young, Wagner, S Darcy , C. Simpson , S. Switta

Peel

FB: B. Waker O. McDonald Draper
HB: B Banfield H Davies
C: J O'Meara N O'Driscoll J Sharp
HF: J Carr A. Riddle
FF: C. Nicholls O. Murphy
Fol:
B: 4 draft picks

Out: Fyfe, Walters, Aish, Sturt, Reidy, Brodie, Narkle, Jones, Delean

Sturt will one million percent be on the list next year. You need to give up on that narrative that he’ll be paid out.
Better chance of Brad Hardie becoming freos number one ticket holder

 

[go_the_dockers]

Sturt will one million percent be on the list next year. You need to give up on that narrative that he’ll be paid out.
Better chance of Brad Hardie becoming freos number one ticket holder

He may be on our list, but it is very unlikely that he plays AFL, and if he does it will only be the last 4 weeks of the year.

I think we put him on the LTI list for most of the year, and maybe take him off for the last couple of months and he plays some WAFL and put another player on it.

There is no point considering him as depth for next year.

 

[The Lobbster]

How the &$@#%?? Is Frederick not wing anyway?
If he is a high forward that’s nuts. He is Sharp with a bit more pace. Neither of them can tackle and avoid contest but run all day and can drill a ball.
I think Frederick is an upgrade in Sharp because he will kick more goals .

Just find a contested marking wing for the other side. Acres style.

Frederick is one of our most consistent goal kickers so I’m not sure moving him further up the ground is a great idea.

 

[Bringbacktheeighties]

Frederick is one of our most consistent goal kickers so I’m not sure moving him further up the ground is a great idea.

Yeh look I may have been drinking when I typed that.
But still, if he moved to wing it capitalises on his assets and he can still kick goals , just less goals.
However you can replace his high forward role with another goal kicker that can tackle and pressure.
Net positive.

 

[Deathly]

In the middle of the ground IS where Freddy’s defensive side and nous is exposed the most. He will never be a winger.