Autopsy Round 1. Freo Vs Port

[Lost_Deputy]

Yep, Walters has an issue. Absolute certain free kick not paid in the final last year ... I think we were 10 points up in final quarter, kicked a goal or two and on a bit of a roll. If he gets the free and slots it, momentum is a funny thing, who knows if they'd still run over us. Probably a moot point, as we were too crippled to do anything the next few weeks.

Or going back to the GF, Lake elbows him in the head straight in front of the umpire, and the umpire still thinks he's acting. One of the worst pieces of umpiring I can recall. Imagine the uproar if he hadn't kicked the goal.

His problem is not so much trying to get frees where none exist (though he does that a bit), it is over-acting when he actually deserves a free kick.

Yeah it's not needed but it will come to a point where he will have to pull his head in. Having such a light frame doesn't always help his case tho. Gets pinged around at times

 

[masai]

Ballantyne was in 2013 grand final form tonight - back to fumbling and slipping over.

Really hope all it was that he needed the run and was a bit under done from the lack of pre season practice games. Next week will be interesting against another well drilled back line.

Balla, Duff & Barlow were underdone, will be better for the run.

I'm tipping all 3 to be in the better players next week.

 

[beetz]

Exactly. I am not buying the "Port players were under done" excuse, Freo had just as many. They could of easily put players in the local league to have a run around like we did - a risk which certainly paid off.

Plus, Port were close to full strength bar Lobbe. Freo had Crowley, Dawson, Mzungu and Taberner out.

 

[freo84]

As i heard from a bandwagoning Port supporter (Up till round 6 last season he went for WCE, then changed to Port. Went and bought a guernsey and everything) at work He said after the final " We can only beat who was put out there." So he got that thrown in his face when he rattled off the "star studded line up that was missing."

 

[Arsene Wenger]

Well done Freo. I think both teams were not as clean and efficient as they would have liked, but that was a real finals intensity pressure game. Your lot look fit and in the big moments in that last quarter got it right. Those that tipped Freo to slide were wrong. I was not sure, but now I am not - I think Freo are a contender without doubt. I cant envisage many teams beating you over there this season.

Hopefully this contest stands us both in good stead for next week.

PS - If i could pick any player to have in my team - its Fyfe. For me, he is better than Franklin and Ablett right now. Magnificent player.

 

[holy diver]

Exactly. I am not buying the "Port players were under done" excuse, Freo had just as many. They could of easily put players in the local league to have a run around like we did - a risk which certainly paid off.

Plus, Port were close to full strength bar Lobbe. Freo had Crowley, Dawson, Mzungu and Taberner out.

But... but.. Port are the fitness specialists...

Just ask Dwayne Russell.

 

[hoss]

But Zac is not Buddy, and he's not from Sydney either.

The irony is, that Freo v Port game has emerged as the game of the match, particularly after today's game turned into an absolute fizzer.

Definitely game of the match, I'd even go as far as saying match of the round.

 

[Freo Dr]

Significant positives for me:
-D. Pearce slotting a set shot. Always been a big monkey for him.
-Clarke took some marks and had an impact on the game. Will probably have more impact with Tabs there as well.
-Pavlich continuing to work on his game to still improve and his four straight made the difference.
-Walters was unlucky not to get more and amazes me what he can do by foot - how much better will it be having him for more than 8 games this year.
-We got the win with Mzungu, Tabs, Silvagni/Dawson, Crozier not playing and Lachie Weller was BOG for Peel and Blakely just missed out. Serious Depth.
-Good first up tagging job from Clancee, happy with that sort of 'soft tag' where Clancee still gets it himself because he can be damaging.
-Really good game from Sherridan and vindicated everything I have ever said about him.

Room for improvement:
-Obviously Mayne despite a really good pre-season was down. Telling that he did his ankle in the first quarter but was subbed in the last immediately after a dropped mark.
-In this game MDB worked as the sub but in general I would think a more damaging attacking player like Crozier would be the go.
-Barlows decision making and kicking needs to improve - burnt us so many times. Crozier, Blakely, Mzungu and maybe even Weller from the players who didn't play would have done better but would they be as good getting the ball?
-Umpiring was poor although some of it like Suban with HTB is just a case of learning the rules and adapting your game.

 

[pavsbootlace]

I am a little over the excuse for Port having "5 players underdone". For me it highlights the decision making at Fremantle, not selecting Mzungu and Taberner, both of whom would have been attractive selections. The decision to make de Boer sub was also a terrific selection move, resulting in an energised warrior brought in at crunch time.

I think it really highlights the difference in Freo's depth VS Port's depth.

Freo made a courageous choice to leave Taberner, and Mzungu (and Crozier) out of the 22 in favour of a fitter but less talented deBoer and Suban. We can make that choice because we have quality depth. Port's selection comittee obviously felt that their 5 underdone players were a better option than their next best 5 players; and they're probably right. And this is why I feel Port are a touch overrrated this year. We saw what happened when they were a few players down mid-late last year. I'm not convinced they are significantly better equiped to cover a few injuries than they were last year. They were great in finals last year, but the reason they didn't win the flag was that they didn't win enough H & A games to finish top 4. I suspect they will have similar problems should they cop a few injuries this year. On the other hand, if the have no significant injury troubles, they could very well be playing the Hawks in the GF, but that would require significant amounts of good luck.

Freo, on the other hand, have the depth to finish top 4 whilst carrying a few injuries (we saw that last year). The question is whether we can keep our key players fit in September.

 

[clogged]

Well said, pavsbootlace. I think Port are like 2004-05 Geelong. Very talented young core that surprised plenty by improving quickly, but needs a few seasons to build the necessary depth. Still think they'll dominate for a period in the near future.

 

[Stryke]

Great game and I wasn't too upset to lose.

A lot have your mob sliding this year but I don't think that will be the case.

Few points -

That's the first time in 2 years we have been out ran. We were spent in the last.

Fyfe is amazing

I cringe every time Walters got near it. Such a dangerous player.

SA will never get over both of our teams overlooking Pav.

Sandlilands is the epitome of the word beast.

 

[Schauermann]

But... but.. Port are the fitness specialists...

Well, yes, last year. This year probably every team has pushed to be at that level as well during preseason.

 

[Schauermann]

Biggest positive for me beside winning was DeBoer as sub. One of the better sub games we had. And I disliked the choice before the game because I was thinking DeBoer is not that much an impact player offering more as hard bodied worker/punisher for a whole game...

 

[Okinakashi]

Positive - Holding the Ball is back....

 

[TheMcManusNose]

Biggest positive for me beside winning was DeBoer as sub. One of the better sub games we had. And I disliked the choice before the game because I was thinking DeBoer is not that much an impact player offering more as hard bodied worker/punisher for a whole game...

It's funny isn't it. I think it's because he doesn't have to worry about fatigue and can go 100% all the time without running out of legs in 2 quarters time.

 

[TheTigerEffect]

Only got to watch the second half, could you guys tell me what role Ibbotson was playing? Is he playing as the 3rd tall with Dawson out? Wasn't great from what I saw and was just wondering whether that's because he has to play a different role over the first month until Dawson comes back to free him up...

 

[doberman]

It makes me wonder if the sub is best utilised as a defensive role, to supplement our tired stars. DeBoer came on and stuck the tackles that others were missing, pressuring the ball carrier. Let mundy and fyfe do their thing out of the middle.

I too was skeptical about DeBoer as sub, but he gets my kudos from that performance.

Sent from my GT-I9507 using Tapatalk

 

[Fred Ziffel]

It makes me wonder if the sub is best utilised as a defensive role, to supplement our tired stars. DeBoer came on and stuck the tackles that others were missing, pressuring the ball carrier. Let mundy and fyfe do their thing out of the middle.

I too was skeptical about DeBoer as sub, but he gets my kudos from that performance.

Sent from my GT-I9507 using Tapatalk

They were my thoughts as well. I was surprised because I felt Sherro is the better sub.
Matt made an immediate impact when he came on.
I think I would go as far as saying he was the match winning move.
We definitely have some great subs to utilise.

 

[Nickos66]

We needed to up the pressure in the last qtr to force Port and force the turnovers from a pure weight of numbers perspective, and a fresh Matt deBoer was the perfect sub to inject into the game in that sense. If it were a shoot out last qtr, or an ending of different circumstance it probably wouldn't have come off looking like the masterstroke it appeared to be.

 

[Freo Dr]

Only got to watch the second half, could you guys tell me what role Ibbotson was playing? Is he playing as the 3rd tall with Dawson out? Wasn't great from what I saw and was just wondering whether that's because he has to play a different role over the first month until Dawson comes back to free him up...

Ibbotson played on Westhoff for the whole game as yes the third tall defender. Westhoff had no impact and Ibbotson still got some of it himself - we won that contest. Ibbo played on Westhoff in the final last year as well and also won his battle. Silvagni is probably due back first - hopefully against Sydney. Till then Ibbotson or possibly Mayne will need to cover the third talls. Tom Sherridan played in the role that Ibbotson normally would for this game.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Ibbotson played on Westhoff for the whole game as yes the third tall defender. Westhoff had no impact and Ibbotson still got some of it himself - we won that contest. Ibbo played on Westhoff in the final last year as well and also won his battle. Silvagni is probably due back first - hopefully against Sydney. Till then Ibbotson or possibly Mayne will need to cover the third talls. Tom Sherridan played in the role that Ibbotson normally would for this game.

And Tom did it well too.
Must be said Ross has created a lot of flexibility in this team.

 

[Righteo]

Only got to watch the second half, could you guys tell me what role Ibbotson was playing? Is he playing as the 3rd tall with Dawson out? Wasn't great from what I saw and was just wondering whether that's because he has to play a different role over the first month until Dawson comes back to free him up...

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/dockers-supercoach-fantasy-q-a.1086750/

Literally the thread above this one, no need for subterfuge.

 

[steemy]

Does anyone have footage of the Freo fan with his baby. He was hurling abuse at someone while carrying his kid. Was truly epic and could be a godly gif

I was in Portugal and pulled into a cafe on the coast to use the wifi. Started streaming the game in the 3rd and that was the 1st thing I saw. Cracked up laughing and got weird looks form everyone there.

 

[Unique Name]

Ross made a point about choosing the sub in his radio interview. He kinda said it that it can't be the same person every game because they will lose match fitness.

 

[E Shed]

I thought it was fascinating in the SEN interview where he said they are managing the inside players more now. Giving Mundy more time on the pine allowing him to start the last Q with fuel in the tank. Now that was a match winning move.
Similar story using Hill off HB and Fyfe down forward, keeping them away from the coalface to keep them fresher for longer.
He admitted other teams have been doing this for a while and he was slow to catch on.