Positives

[BeinPurplenGreen]

So, as there really hasn't been enough love for our boys on the board tonight (just joking) what are everyone's views as to the top positives from today??

For me:

1. We came from behind, got in front, and put the foot down on their throat. And squashed the life out of them.

2. Harvs game day moves - getting better all the time. Loved the switch of Silv back to Gumby, and also liked how the forwards were shuffled until we got great match-ups.

3. We won in Melbourne. At that god-awful heap of carp known as Etiturd. First time in over 1000 days I think??

4. Our kids showed they could be our leaders. Yet again.

5. We won, even though Pav and some of our other established players (Mundy, Duffman, Broughton) had only average or sub-par games.

6. We can talk about having to replace players like Taz and Ibo (due to injury) and yet still come up with several different, yet equally viable, names for potential replacements.

7. The lucky Melbourne based Docker fans got to sing the song. Will we sing it when I come down for the Saints game??

8. We are still in the top 8. Who'd have thunk it??

 

[E Shed]

MJ is back! Not quite top gear but getting closer.
Morabito is going to be a player. (for some reason I worried about this selection).
Ballantyne is better than most of us dared to hope.
McPharlin is back down back.
Rodger Hayden.
Hill grows in stature every game.
Des does not much and we don't even notice.
Barlow Barlow Barlow. Silvagni Silvagni Silvagni.

 

[silverscope]

MJ is back! Not quite top gear but getting closer.
Morabito is going to be a player. (for some reason I worried about this selection).
Ballantyne is better than most of us dared to hope.
McPharlin is back down back.
Rodger Hayden.
Hill grows in stature every game.
Des does not much and we don't even notice.
Barlow Barlow Barlow. Silvagni Silvagni Silvagni.

Do you think he should change his name to Roger "Dodger is my middle name" Hayden I think so.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Being able to turn our biggest in game weakness into our strength.

We were smashed from the rebound from their HB's in the first half with very little pressure from our HF's.

In the second half we did not let them get one easy ball out of our forward line.

It won us the game and allowed our midfielders a lot of space and room to do a lot of damage.

I don't think I've ever seen a Fremantle team make such a huge change during the game.

 

[BeinPurplenGreen]

Being able to turn our biggest in game weakness into our strength.

We were smashed from the rebound from their HB's in the first half with very little pressure from our HF's.

In the second half we did not let them get one easy ball out of our forward line.

It won us the game and allowed our midfielders a lot of space and room to do a lot of damage.

I don't think I've ever seen a Fremantle team make such a huge change during the game.

Indeed. The best part about this change was that it seemed to be a whole wave of players, not just one or two, that stepped up.

Not sure if it was because of coaching feedback, or because of on field leadership by the players, but someone deserves a heck of a lot of credit for our aggressive lockdown turn-around.

My only question is why couldn't we play like that from the first bounce?

 

[fishguts]

I'll just say due to lack of vision of Stephen Hill, I didn't really think much of him. After today, you have an absolute gem and am on his bandwagon.

Well done today and hopefully you guys turn the corner.

 

[rines]

Wanted to say congrats!

The bombers were deplorable but NOTHING should take away from your effort.

I never thought I would use the words "pressure" and "freo" together but today you were unbeatable in that department!!

You have quietly gone about rebuilding a list in Harvey's image, tough and uncomprimising footballers who go hard all day. I like this a lot more than your previous attempts at a rebuild.

I am huge Harvey fan and thought you were on a winning ticket when you signed him. Hopefully its onwards and upwards for this season and you can start to see your future out on the park. Knights was outcoached from the 2nd quarter onwards and we had no answers.

Well done, top class and you have found some gems in Barlow and Sivalgni!

Have a great 2010

 

[ballanFYNE]

So, as there really hasn't been enough love for our boys on the board tonight (just joking) what are everyone's views as to the top positives from today??

For me:

1. We came from behind, got in front, and put the foot down on their throat. And squashed the life out of them.

2. Harvs game day moves - getting better all the time. Loved the switch of Silv back to Gumby, and also liked how the forwards were shuffled until we got great match-ups.

3. We won in Melbourne. At that god-awful heap of carp known as Etiturd. First time in over 1000 days I think??

4. Our kids showed they could be our leaders. Yet again.

5. We won, even though Pav and some of our other established players (Mundy, Duffman, Broughton) had only average or sub-par games.

6. We can talk about having to replace players like Taz and Ibo (due to injury) and yet still come up with several different, yet equally viable, names for potential replacements.

7. The lucky Melbourne based Docker fans got to sing the song. Will we sing it when I come down for the Saints game??

8. We are still in the top 8. Who'd have thunk it??

We are in the top 2 with a healthy percentage.

 

[Kruges!]

Like most people here, Hill. Absolutely outstanding game and this is the game which will take him to the next level. Always knew he'd be a great player but the AFL world know this as well now.

Winning in Melbourne will do the world of good for our confidence. It looks as the youngens weren't overawed at all so there are good signs!

Ballantyne. I can now completely understand why (most) non-Freo supporters hate him but geez I'm glad he plays for us! He's a little bugger, that's for sure, but an absolute freak.

And finally...Sandilands. His ruckwork was outstanding and he hit it to advantage a fair bit of the time. Overall, very very happy with yesterday's events

 

[muckypup]

Still got Palmer to come back.

My biggest positive was the feel of the team. Dunno exactly how to describe it. Team seems to have a gel about it (even without Rhys Palmers hair) which has been lacking in the past. That and the fact we are all saying 'take it one week at a time'. What a glorious cliche. So glad to be able to use it!

 

[chuck09]

What excites me the most is that for the first time in a long time we have quality all across the ground. Most importantly we have a number of quality mids and don't have to rely on the one player (Bell, Haselby) to win it out of the centre.

Plus, i have never seen a hungrier, more agressive Freo outfit even in 2006. These guys are playing for the jumper and each other!

 

[Lach72]

MJ is back! Not quite top gear but getting closer.
Morabito is going to be a player. (for some reason I worried about this selection).
Ballantyne is better than most of us dared to hope.
McPharlin is back down back.
Rodger Hayden.
Hill grows in stature every game.
Des does not much and we don't even notice.
Barlow Barlow Barlow. Silvagni Silvagni Silvagni.

Actually thought Des' game was reasonable...did a couple of things that had me applauding

 

[mickyp]

Actually thought Des' game was reasonable...did a couple of things that had me applauding

have to agree think it was in the third quarter and it was des against 4 bombers. Made a marking contest and brought the ball to ground and locked it in our forward 50

 

[Aussiblood]

Where is the love for the champion Hase!

I thought he was outstanding - very determined and decisive in the trenches - and that mark!

27 disposals
8 kick
19 hand
7 marks
6 tackles
1 goal

A great veteran presence.

 

[paul8241]

Backline just trusted each other to win possession, made space for each other and cleared the ball out with speed, mounted so many attacks from last line in defence.

 

[_GJ_]

Actually thought Des' game was reasonable...did a couple of things that had me applauding

I thought Dessy had a good game. As Richo said from the commentary box: Dessy has made a career on the back of getting forward of the play in goal scoring positions.

 

[Lach72]

There was one bit of play where Des had to contest against 3 Bombers...almost marked, then brought the ball to a standstill

 

[FD2646]

I loved our concerted efforts and for the 2nd consecutive week, our ability to burn an opposition's zone and create easy scoring opportunities. Also loved the fact that guys having average games (McPhee and JVB) kept persisting and getting better the longer the game went on.

 

[E Shed]

Actually thought Des' game was reasonable...did a couple of things that had me applauding

Sure, it was reasonable. With players like Ballantyne & Mayne around him he can chip in and do his bit without starring and it doesn't matter. We are not relying on him to be a star anymore which is a massive positive.

 

[Aussiblood]

Where is the love for the champion Hase!

I thought he was outstanding - very determined and decisive in the trenches - and that mark!

27 disposals
8 kick
19 hand
7 marks
6 tackles
1 goal

A great veteran presence.

Wow still no love for Hase? Really?

 

[legitimatic]

Haze was bloody terrific, I really hope the little snot-nosed shit who sits behind me at games bagging the crap out of Haze continually, watched that game and will have the decency to STFU in future.

 

[Mayneman]

Where is the love for the champion Hase!

I thought he was outstanding - very determined and decisive in the trenches - and that mark!

27 disposals
8 kick
19 hand
7 marks
6 tackles
1 goal

A great veteran presence.

A result of the Barlow effect.

Haselby might get another couple of years if Barlow continues to influence matchs to the degree he has thus far.

Sides will have to put more time into Barlow, he's currently on 6 brownlow votes from 2 games, the extra attention to him frees up Hase who is still a ball magnet and good ball user.

Couple that with less attention to Mora and Hill and we have a midfield with depth, with young Rhys plugging away for the Sharks I genuinely think we have a midfield, with options, which can push us to top 8 material.

That's the biggest positive of this season, an efficient midfield with a nice blend. Everything else is a flow on effect.

Who'd have thought the 8th pick in the Rookie draft would have such an instant positive impact?

 

[Mayneman]

We are not relying on him to be a star anymore which is a massive positive.

Cant ever remember him being a star to be honest.

For what we paid, he's been a massive let down.

 

[Clay Davis]

A result of the Barlow effect.

Haselby might get another couple of years if Barlow continues to influence matchs to the degree he has thus far.

Sides will have to put more time into Barlow, he's currently on 6 brownlow votes from 2 games, the extra attention to him frees up Hase who is still a ball magnet and good ball user.

Couple that with less attention to Mora and Hill and we have a midfield with depth, with young Rhys plugging away for the Sharks I genuinely think we have a midfield, with options, which can push us to top 8 material.

That's the biggest positive of this season, an efficient midfield with a nice blend. Everything else is a flow on effect.

Who'd have thought the 8th pick in the Rookie draft would have such an instant positive impact?

Not just Barlow - Hase finally as some talent to dish off to when he wins the ball. Giving a handpass to Hill (Mora/Suban/Broughton) in space is a far better option than any of McManus, Carr x 2, Peake. Only Bell could be rated as decent enough to give the ball to, but even then he was a bit one paced and not an amazing kick.

 

[E Shed]

Cant ever remember him being a star to be honest.

For what we paid, he's been a massive let down.

Well that's kind of what I meant in my original post. We used to get all pissed and bag out Des after another away loss and another average effort from Des. Now if we win and he just does little cameos here and there, which is really all he's ever done, we are still happy as Balla or Mayne or whoever stars down in the forward line.