Wally Walpamur
Norm Smith Medallist
- Sep 23, 2016
- 6,150
- 11,930
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
A week is a long time in footy, this season has felt like ten lifetimes. What a rollercoaster.
While most supporters woud've been happy with a 10 win season, contending for finals, a reduciton of the number of blowouts, a more free flowing and higher scoring game style, we were well on track until the inevitiable mid-season slump popped its ugly head up for the fifth season in a row. What promised to be a shift flogging the lololnorf by 82 points and kicking 21 goals, we came crashing back to earth the following week at Metricon stadium by a team that has now lost the past 17 games in a row.
This was the most 'Freo' season I can remember; winning the games we weren't expected to and dropping the games we should've won. Kicking the ball to McGovern, Barrass and Hurn in the derbies, deplorable skills and the good ol' 'bomb it in long!' We relied on too few to carry us through and once again our depth was exposed.
It felt like a season of 'what ifs?' What if we won those close losses against Gold Coast, St Kilda and Carlton and we play finals. Does Ross Lyon see out his contract and get an extension? What if our key position players could stay healthy, would we have played differently?
It was disappointing that we didn't get to see first year draftees Sam Sturt or Luke Valente, AB progressed well and Cerra stagnated, although looked better the more time he got in the middle and we got to see our first ever NGA product Jason Carter given his first game, with Liam Henry to join him next season. We said goobye to our biggest and smallest men on our list, Sandi and Ballas and adios to the perenially injured Colin Young, err, Bennell and Kersten, who were once touted as the great hopes of turning our club around until Jason Weber got his hands on them. This could be the last time we see Billy and Langdon running the wings in purple with them both reported seeking a route back to the big V.
With the coach sacked, no CEO and players queing up in the injury room and at the boarding gates to get out of the club, I think most supporters are feeling flat at the end of the season. With the appointment of a new coach, list manager, a trade and draft period and preseason reports to look forward to, the mood will lift and the purple passion will only be stronger next year.
Onto this week's game, with both team's with nothing much to play for and the player's mind's probably on holiday, i'm just hoping for no injuries to either side. Hale will be taking the reins and it would be great to see him just let the boys play with a bit of freedom and get some joy back out of footy. Adelaide hasn't been too kind to us in the past and I can't see that changing this week.
Port by 29 points in a lacklustre closure to the AFL regular season.
While most supporters woud've been happy with a 10 win season, contending for finals, a reduciton of the number of blowouts, a more free flowing and higher scoring game style, we were well on track until the inevitiable mid-season slump popped its ugly head up for the fifth season in a row. What promised to be a shift flogging the lololnorf by 82 points and kicking 21 goals, we came crashing back to earth the following week at Metricon stadium by a team that has now lost the past 17 games in a row.
This was the most 'Freo' season I can remember; winning the games we weren't expected to and dropping the games we should've won. Kicking the ball to McGovern, Barrass and Hurn in the derbies, deplorable skills and the good ol' 'bomb it in long!' We relied on too few to carry us through and once again our depth was exposed.
It felt like a season of 'what ifs?' What if we won those close losses against Gold Coast, St Kilda and Carlton and we play finals. Does Ross Lyon see out his contract and get an extension? What if our key position players could stay healthy, would we have played differently?
It was disappointing that we didn't get to see first year draftees Sam Sturt or Luke Valente, AB progressed well and Cerra stagnated, although looked better the more time he got in the middle and we got to see our first ever NGA product Jason Carter given his first game, with Liam Henry to join him next season. We said goobye to our biggest and smallest men on our list, Sandi and Ballas and adios to the perenially injured Colin Young, err, Bennell and Kersten, who were once touted as the great hopes of turning our club around until Jason Weber got his hands on them. This could be the last time we see Billy and Langdon running the wings in purple with them both reported seeking a route back to the big V.
With the coach sacked, no CEO and players queing up in the injury room and at the boarding gates to get out of the club, I think most supporters are feeling flat at the end of the season. With the appointment of a new coach, list manager, a trade and draft period and preseason reports to look forward to, the mood will lift and the purple passion will only be stronger next year.
Onto this week's game, with both team's with nothing much to play for and the player's mind's probably on holiday, i'm just hoping for no injuries to either side. Hale will be taking the reins and it would be great to see him just let the boys play with a bit of freedom and get some joy back out of footy. Adelaide hasn't been too kind to us in the past and I can't see that changing this week.
Port by 29 points in a lacklustre closure to the AFL regular season.
