Pav, Sandi, Mcpharlap

[chinggis77]

Something tells me they are going to go nuts next week.

Call it 10+ years of pent up energy at waiting to show themselves on the big stage at what may be their only chance. There is a certain steely resolve there, particularly with Pav, that you can see.

Sandi has taken his game to another level these last two games. Pav has got his mobility back combined with a full on attack on the ball. Mcpharlap was saving himself against Sydney.

Sandi has been unreal. 5 contested marks against the Swans and I think 4 against Geelong. Has monstered both opposition ruck combo´s and his hitouts to advantage are as clean as I have ever seen.

The young crew have got us this far so far this year with the above three injured for large parts. I reckon the old crew are going to take charge next Saturday.

 

[Kunna17]

would be perfectly fitting if pav kicks 6/7 and Sandi dominates the ruck along with 2/3 goals to his name. Mcpharlin will just dominate from the back-half if the game goes as the script says.

 

[caterina]

Not to mention none of them played in Tassie this year, you know in the game that proved Hawthorn were much better than us.
Of all of them, Sandilands I believe is the key. Mumford and Pyke are better than Bailey and Hale and Sandi made them look second rate. If he brings his best game this weekend anything can happen.

 

[Quay Club]

Sandi is just starting to hit his straps and has improved with each game back and is starting to dominate like he did a few years ago.
Pav has shown a real attack on the ball the last few games and he has his touch back.
Hopefully McPharlin will be fully fit as we are going to need him against Buddy and Roughhead.
Little men get you to a grand final but big men win them for you.

 

[FFC4ME]

I think one of the reasons I couldn't really enjoy the prelim all that much was the state of constant terror that something would interfere with these three pillars of the Fremantle Football Club all making it through - I just could not relax until the final siren sounded and they'd made it.

Not that I wasn't worried for everyone on the team, but Pavlich, Sandilands and McPharlin were all young bucks during the early surge of Chris Connolly's team where it seemed that sustained success was just around the corner. Instead of course, they've almost gone around the corner completely before the threads have finally been pulled together successfully and they all get the GF berth they so richly deserve.

The statements that Pav and Sandi will have a massive game, I don't dispute. McPharlin is the one that is worrying me. Not so much because of his minor injury tweaks last night, but the very uncharacteristic errors that have crept into his game over the course of this season. If he plays on Buddy as expected, it would be cruel indeed to see one of his generation's finest defenders best remembered for something like the dropped mark at Simonds in Round 14 or the shank across the goal face last night. And I will feel very sad if he can't pull off one last soaring intercept mark on the game's biggest stage.

 

[PapaJ]

I think one of the reasons I couldn't really enjoy the prelim all that much was the state of constant terror that something would interfere with these three pillars of the Fremantle Football Club all making it through - I just could not relax until the final siren sounded and they'd made it.

Not that I wasn't worried for everyone on the team, but Pavlich, Sandilands and McPharlin were all young bucks during the early surge of Chris Connolly's team where it seemed that sustained success was just around the corner. Instead of course, they've almost gone around the corner completely before the threads have finally been pulled together successfully and they all get the GF berth they so richly deserve.

The statements that Pav and Sandi will have a massive game, I don't dispute. McPharlin is the one that is worrying me. Not so much because of his minor injury tweaks last night, but the very uncharacteristic errors that have crept into his game over the course of this season. If he plays on Buddy as expected, it would be cruel indeed to see one of his generation's finest defenders best remembered for something like the dropped mark at Simonds in Round 14 or the shank across the goal face last night. And I will feel very sad if he can't pull off one last soaring intercept mark on the game's biggest stage.

Yeah, I'm with you the last par in particular. Elvis normally would be one of our major weapons in this sort of game because he can totally take Buddy out of the game - but in his current form, well he may well still do it, but there is a bit of doubt in his ability at the moment, no doubt in my mind.

Having said that, Pav and Sandi are primed, just cherry ripe on a warm spring day ready for this. They have a bit of conditioning in them, playing well and without the wear and tear of having to carry an under-achieving team through a whole season on their back. Win or lose, they are never going to be in better shape to do this for themselves, the team and the loving fans. I so admire these boys, Pav especially ... model captain.

 

[Wet Toast Rule]

I hate Freo just as much as the next WC supporter when we play you guys but I have to say I couldnt be happier for a guy like Pav. This has been a long time coming, he could've decided to go back to Adelaide but he is a quality guy, stayed loyal, and now hopefully has a premiership medal around his neck on Saturday. It would be fitting for him to retire one day as Freo's first premiership captain and greatest ever player.

 

[holy diver]

Their time has come. I hope they seize the moment.

 

[Ripper]

Sandi for Norm Smith. Will kick 5 while resting forward.

 

[mattis117]

Would be fitting for Pav to win the norm smith - 6 time All Australian, Premiership Player, Norm Smith Medalist plus the how many B&Fs...

Then he would become a legend of the game.

 

[Lost_Deputy]

The boys made us competitive for years when we had little class around them. Now, we are hugely competitive without them and super class with them. Their time has come

 

[Nickos66]

I think 2 out of the 3 will have absolute blinders, Pav will play like his life depends on it. Sandi will dominate the ruck but will get climbed all over in the goal square when he's resting forward. Luke's looked a little off the boil for mine lately, not his usual calm, composed self down back, i'd be lying if I said it didn't concern me going into this weekends game. He's the one I'm worried about for this weekend.

 

[E Shed]

Whenever the defenders talk in the media they always refer to Luke as The General down there.
Even if he isn't taking screamers his defensive game and leadership will be first class.
How awesome is it for Pav and Sandi to be cherry ripe for the big dance. Neither have looked better all year than they do now.

 

[Freo_4eva]

McPharlin has had 5 goals kicked on him all year and is the reason Buddy doesn't even enter my mind as a worry for the GF.. he is going alright I reckon

 

[TweeBeard]

McPharlin will be okay I reckon. His form prior to his injury was making me think he'd get another AA. There is a little doubt in my mind but he was definitely conserving himself against the swans, which is understandable

 

[Docker82]

Put Sandilands forward a lot. Only lake can even go close to him and if he stops Sandilands, pav runs riot.

 

[johnthegardener]

Pav has been a worry to me since returning from injury however his game against the Swans has completely reassured me. Definitely has got his "mojo" back and looked much better running around.

 

[Purple Hase]

Pav has been a worry to me since returning from injury however his game against the Swans has completely reassured me. Definitely has got his "mojo" back and looked much better running around.

Agreed, Pav is moving well, should comfortably burn Gibson / Lake on the lead. Hopefully he gets some supply and dobs a few set shots. Another big thing for me is how clean Pav was with the ball below his knees. This bodes well if he can squeeze a quick ball that's hit the deck out to Ballaz, Walters with 2 defenders hanging off him. The Pav is back.

 

[Kunna17]

Great point about Sandi forward alot Docker82, think it's a grear idea as would assume Clarke will be afarely dominant in the ruck anyway.

 

[Arcassius]

It was that mark from behind by Pav that got all of us off our seats - out marked two players sandwiched in the middle. That and his crumb - Ballas style. Great to see him getting his touch back when it counts. You can see he's due for a massive one.

 

[Purple Hase]

McPharlin will be okay I reckon. His form prior to his injury was making me think he'd get another AA. There is a little doubt in my mind but he was definitely conserving himself against the swans, which is understandable

Yeah I think Luke was saving himself. He's a natural athlete and great competitor. I'm backing him to more than hold up his end of the bargain, whatever job is given to him.

 

[caterina]

Great point about Sandi forward alot Docker82, think it's a grear idea as would assume Clarke will be afarely dominant in the ruck anyway.

Sandi is playing too well and is too valuable to be forward a lot. 25% max.

 

[Shaymuhz]

McPharlin has had 5 goals kicked on him all year and is the reason Buddy doesn't even enter my mind as a worry for the GF.. he is going alright I reckon

Was just going to say that. 5 goals from 15 games is outrageously good.

 

[caterina]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-24/sandi-drives-flag-hopes