Opinion Rounds 1-9

[Simmofreo]

So I don't know how other people feel, but I really wish they didn't change the fixturing for one more year while we have our flag tilt !!

I know it needed to be evened up, and if we were in the bottom half of that ladder I would be totally cool with it. However there are plenty of teams in the bottom half (ie eagles, Adelaide) that really are not as bad as their ladder position last year and will have an easy year draw wise. Plus they have added to their lists big time in Adelaide.

To have a tilt at the flag again we have one of the hardest draws and don't forget, a lot of weaker teams will be better this year (ie Gold Coast) so it makes it even tougher.

Our run to the bye looks like this :

Magpies
Suns
Hawks
Bombers
Swans
Kangaroos
Eagles
Power
Cats

What do we think is a realistic win loss ratio that we would want to be at the bye after these games to have a great chance at top 2. And don't say 9 out of 9, because these games are not going to be as easy as we think.

I think we definitely have the team to win them all, but I feel none of our first 9 games are gimmes.

Thoughts ??

 

[ilikepotatoes]

We would be favourites in all bar 2 of those games. 6-3 or 7-2 would be a reasonable expectation.

 

[gaskin]

I honestly expect us to be undefeated after that run. More likely we will drop one or 2 of those games though so I'd be content with 7-2 or 8-1.

FWIW I don't think Adelaide have added big. Eddie Betts is a front runner and Pods isn't anything to write home about.

 

[Simmofreo]

I honestly expect us to be undefeated after that run. More likely we will drop one or 2 of those games though so I'd be content with 7-2 or 8-1.

FWIW I don't think Adelaide have added big. Eddie Betts is a front runner and Pods isn't anything to write home about.

Don't Forget Walker will be back. He loves playing against Freo

 

[gaskin]

Without Tippett Luke goes to Walker and he doesn't have a big impact.

 

[freo84]

McPharlin will keep him quiet.

Purple is the new black:-D

 

[Doggy doo doo]

What are you worried about we will win every game by 40+

 

[Simmofreo]

Haha. Now the Sydney game will be interesting. I will be there cheering my lungs out !! We match up so well against Sydney. I have no idea what effect the Buddy factor will have. But our Defence will have their hands full with Tippett, Franklin, Goodes, Reid, Rohan, Roberts-Thompson and Jetta (Shudders)

 

[Simmofreo]

What are you worried about we will win every game by 40+

Not worried DDD, just interested to hear others opinions. I am super super excited for this year !!!!

 

[Schauermann]

Magpies: Still have a strong list, think they have underachieved in the last years.
Suns: On the up. Even when not yet there this year, on their day they will probably be dangerous to any side.
Hawks: Last years premiers and they do well against us.
Bombers: Had two horror years but both years they were top 4 before they broke down halfway through the season.
Swans: Are the Swans. And have Buddy now.
Kangaroos: Their best can match any side.
Eagles: Well, had a very good record against a few years ago when they where clearly the better side. So a derby can go any way. But should be a win.
Power: Brave effort last year. But should be a win, too.
Cats: Fit Hawkins, a decent ruckmen, probably more improvement then loss from last year. Still very dangerous.

Until I have seen all sides in action in 2014 seven games are close to 50:50 for me. Really, should win 7 or more to be a top 2 treat. But not that confident.

 

[se17enteen]

There will be no danger games this year, we are the DANGER.

 

[Schauermann]

There will be no danger games this year, we are the DANGER.

Well, a better team has more danger games.

 

[Quokka]

A hard draw is a good thing for us now. We know Freo will handle the weaker teams so the more we play the top teams the better. Hawthorn and Geelong twice this year, Awesome

Would have liked a third game at the MCG but at least one of them is the GF replay.

Out of the first nine, I'd be happy with (and at this point kind of expect) 7+, 6 and we're still going ok, would probably be disappointed with 5 or less.

 

[tesseract]

Do Fremantle still have an issue backing up after the slog that usually typifies a derby? Port are no longer pushovers. They have a good group of 3-5 year players starting to impact, as seen by their overall performance last year. Danger game for Freo, but being a home game should lead to a win.

It's back to the meat grinder a week later against Geelong, and away, too. Although they're on a downward trajectory, games against the Cats are always a hard fought scrap.

From the Hawks game in round 3 all the way to round 9 against the Cats are going to be games that require Freo to be switched on in order to get the biscuits. Freo have the talent and game-plan to win all these games, but it'll be interesting to see if they have a strong mental side to them so as to back up week after week during a string of tough games.

It's a make or break start to the season for Fremantle. To finish top 2, a 17-5 record is roughly what's needed. If Freo don't start the season on their game, 5 loses could be racked up in 9 games and leave Freo's premiership tilt, and even a top 4 finish, hanging by a thread.

 

[Spoken4]

Do Fremantle still have an issue backing up after the slog that usually typifies a derby? Port are no longer pushovers. They have a good group of 3-5 year players starting to impact, as seen by their overall performance last year. Danger game for Freo, but being a home game should lead to a win.

It's back to the meat grinder a week later against Geelong, and away, too. Although they're on a downward trajectory, games against the Cats are always a hard fought scrap.

From the Hawks game in round 3 all the way to round 9 against the Cats are going to be games that require Freo to be switched on in order to get the biscuits. Freo have the talent and game-plan to win all these games, but it'll be interesting to see if they have a strong mental side to them so as to back up week after week during a string of tough games.

It's a make or break start to the season for Fremantle. To finish top 2, a 17-5 record is roughly what's needed. If Freo don't start the season on their game, 5 loses could be racked up in 9 games and leave Freo's premiership tilt, and even a top 4 finish, hanging by a thread.

Did you see what we did to Port last year? They kicked one goal to half time.

Not saying that the first 9 games will not be difficult, but I would expect a fitter Freo team with another year's experience of Lyon's game plan, the hunger from losing a grand final plus having Pav and Sandilands fully fit from round 1 would make Freo a better defensive and, importantly, more offensive team.

Barring injury, Freo should win against Collingwood, Suns, Bombers, Kangeroos, Eagles, Power and Cats and go very close to beating (or will beat) Hawthorn and Sydney.

 

[Simmofreo]

Did you see what we did to Port last year? They kicked one goal to half time.

Not saying that the first 9 games will not be difficult, but I would expect a fitter Freo team with another year's experience of Lyon's game plan, the hunger from losing a grand final plus having Pav and Sandilands fully fit from round 1 would make Freo a better defensive and, importantly, more offensive team.

Barring injury, Freo should win against Collingwood, Suns, Bombers, Kangeroos, Eagles, Power and Cats and go very close to beating (or will beat) Hawthorn and Sydney.

That's the spirit

 

[tesseract]

Did you see what we did to Port last year? They kicked one goal to half time.

Not saying that the first 9 games will not be difficult, but I would expect a fitter Freo team with another year's experience of Lyon's game plan, the hunger from losing a grand final plus having Pav and Sandilands fully fit from round 1 would make Freo a better defensive and, importantly, more offensive team.

Barring injury, Freo should win against Collingwood, Suns, Bombers, Kangeroos, Eagles, Power and Cats and go very close to beating (or will beat) Hawthorn and Sydney.

Great effort from Freo to keep Port to a single goal till halftime last year, but it's a new season, and last season's results count for nothing this year. Port, being a youngish up-and-coming side, should be better for the experience, and should now have the confidence to press forward, knowing they can compete well against the stronger teams. They'll have this confidence right from the get-go this year, unlike last year when they were developing this.

Fitness is hard for any team to bank on, for every club in the competition can claim this. I do agree with you in regards to hunger though. Fremantle's motivation should stem from redemption. They should draw upon this all year round. This mentality should be drawn upon during tough games, or even during tough stretches of games.

My initial comment here wasn't to point out a "barring injury" scenario. Freo obviously have a good side. This year though, they face a tougher test in having to face week after week of tough games, given their tough draw. The team's mental toughness, rather than ability, is what will either win them or lose them games as the season progresses. For as we see from rounds 3 through 9, there are no gimme's. Should win's can turn into loses when facing a slog week after week due to it becoming mentally taxing. Those games have the potential to be tough slog's if Freo don't remain switched on.

 

[Purple_Voice]

Do Fremantle still have an issue backing up after the slog that usually typifies a derby? Port are no longer pushovers. They have a good group of 3-5 year players starting to impact, as seen by their overall performance last year. Danger game for Freo, but being a home game should lead to a win.

It's back to the meat grinder a week later against Geelong, and away, too. Although they're on a downward trajectory, games against the Cats are always a hard fought scrap.
....

Isn't it Port away and Cats at home?

 

[Spirit Level]

Will be disappointed with less than 8-1

Sent from my GT-I9305T using Tapatalk

 

[tesseract]

Isn't it Port away and Cats at home?

Freo fans could tell you. I haven't checked. I made the assumption based upon Freo starting their season away to Collingwood, while playing every second week in Perth.

 

[Simmofreo]

Port at Adelaide Oval, Cats at Home

 

[Spoken4]

Great effort from Freo to keep Port to a single goal till halftime last year, but it's a new season, and last season's results count for nothing this year. Port, being a youngish up-and-coming side, should be better for the experience, and should now have the confidence to press forward, knowing they can compete well against the stronger teams. They'll have this confidence right from the get-go this year, unlike last year when they were developing this.

Fitness is hard for any team to bank on, for every club in the competition can claim this. I do agree with you in regards to hunger though. Fremantle's motivation should stem from redemption. They should draw upon this all year round. This mentality should be drawn upon during tough games, or even tough stretches of games.

My initial comment here wasn't to point out a "barring injury" scenario. Freo obviously have a good side. This year though, they face a tougher test in having to face week after week of tough games, given their tough draw. The team's mental toughness, rather than ability, is what will either win them or lose them games as the season progresses. For as we see from rounds 3 through 9, there are no gimme's. Should win's can turn into loses when facing a slog week after week due to it becoming mentally taxing. Those games have the potential to be tough slog's if Freo don't remain switched on.

The only thing more difficult about this year's draw compared to last year's draw is we play 2 of the top 4 sides twice. However, we finally get to play Hawthorn and Geelong at home rather than just away. I would make us favorites for both of these games.

We play Sydney once (away again). From the 5-8 sides, we only play Port twice and do not play Richmond twice (as we did in 2012). We only play the "up and coming sides" in Essendon, Carlton and North once, with all three of those games at home.

IMO, the only difference is that rather than having a tough first half of the season followed by an easy run home, we have tough and easy games mixed throughout the season. Personally, I prefer this as it means you are still playing the quality sides in the run to the finals.

 

[Fred Ziffel]

8 - 1. But I think we are a good chance of 9 zip.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Magpies - Away - Win
Suns - Home - Win
Hawks - Away - Very tough game, maybe a win if they start slowly
Bombers - Home - Win
Swans - Away - Loss
Kangaroos - Home - Win
Eagles - Away - Win
Power - Home - Win
Cats - Away - Another tough game, but we should win this one

 

[Fred Ziffel]

Magpies - Away - Win
Suns - Home - Win
Hawks - Away - Very tough game, maybe a win if they start slowly
Bombers - Home - Win
Swans - Away - Loss
Kangaroos - Home - Win
Eagles - Away - Win
Power - Home - Win
Cats - Away - Another tough game, but we should win this one

The SCG is not a bogey ground for Freo. 50/50 game IMO.