Opinion Straight Sets

[samFFC]

Did you watch the game? Richmond were witches hats. They didn´t run. Didn´t get people back. Often Port waltzed into goal with 2 extra players around in the first few quarters.

If anything I am more confident of beating Port after that as our pressure/team defence will be a huge shock to them. By contrast our guys are battle hardened after another tough clash with Sydney.

How often do you see teams smash some lowly team by 100 then back up with a loss to a top team? Happens a lot. Ask West Coast.

http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2014/22/port-v-carl

http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2014/23/fre-v-port

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

So Port are just flat-track bullies that got lucky against the top teams early in the season?

I think they are almost there as a top side, but hopefully not just yet

 

[samFFC]

So Port are just flat-track bullies that got lucky against the top teams early in the season?

I think they are almost there as a top side, but hopefully not just yet

In the second half of the season, it has somewhat been like that, which has been surprising.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

In the second half of the season, it has somewhat been like that, which has been surprising.

They've been an interesting case study to say the least. I thought they had the potential to keep going (portress lol) but I dunno. I guess they ran out of legs a bit and got hit by a few injuries. Young list. Confidence down a bit. Who knows.

They are definitely not the same team as they were in the first half of the season. Just as we are definitely not the same teams as we were in the first half of he season (losing to North at home was agonising).

But back on topic, I don't think we will go out in straight sets. Richmond and Carlton at home for Port are hopefully going to prove to be a different kettle of fish to facing us at home twice in 3 games. They will want blood/revenge but we will want to make amends for losing to Sydney. Bring it on

 

[newbeetz]

On the flip side to going out in straight sets, should the boys win this weekend and travel to Melbourne to face the Hawks the following do you think they will consider just staying in Melbourne (if they win of course) as opposed to making a trip back to Perth and then back to Melbourne?

 

[wafti123]

On the flip side to going out in straight sets, should the boys win this weekend and travel to Melbourne to face the Hawks the following do you think they will consider just staying in Melbourne (if they win of course) as opposed to making a trip back to Perth and then back to Melbourne?

I think that would be a good idea. It would save on 8 hours of travel. The money saved on flights used for accommodation. I'm sure they would find somewhere to train. Business people have week long stints away from home all the time.

There's a long way to go before we can consider that though.

 

[The Anchorite]

On the flip side to going out in straight sets, should the boys win this weekend and travel to Melbourne to face the Hawks the following do you think they will consider just staying in Melbourne (if they win of course) as opposed to making a trip back to Perth and then back to Melbourne?

I think that would be a good idea. It would save on 8 hours of travel. The money saved on flights used for accommodation. I'm sure they would find somewhere to train. Business people have week long stints away from home all the time.

I really don't get this. We went too far last year with partners travelling with the team etc., but isolating them from their normal lives in the week leading up to the game could have a hugely detrimental effect. Business travel is not an example you want to follow. It'd be a very short week but they'd sleep in their own beds four or five nights which is enough to recharge the batteries before going back to Melbourne.

 

[332docker]

I really don't get this. We went too far last year with partners travelling with the team etc., but isolating them from their normal lives in the week leading up to the game could have a hugely detrimental effect. Business travel is not an example you want to follow. It'd be a very short week but they'd sleep in their own beds four or five nights which is enough to recharge the batteries before going back to Melbourne.

totally agree - they would come home and travel again...bet they wouldn't complain if the opportunity arose...

 

[Lost_Deputy]

I really don't get this. We went too far last year with partners travelling with the team etc., but isolating them from their normal lives in the week leading up to the game could have a hugely detrimental effect. Business travel is not an example you want to follow. It'd be a very short week but they'd sleep in their own beds four or five nights which is enough to recharge the batteries before going back to Melbourne.

Also can't imagine RTB signing off on packing for the following week. Unless he has finally found that crystal ball

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

We had control in the first half against you guys ...we just didnt put it on the board...

You guys had a nine goal blitz where Ballantyne just pulled goals from everywhere...he was amazing...in between your 9 nine goal spurt we squandered opportunities...which could of stopped that..

The difference from our first half of the season and our 2nd ...is our goal conversion. ...richmond copped first hand what we can do if we kick accurately....

In saying that you cant downplay our win....well you can if it makes you feel better...but at the same time we cant expect a richmond type game playing you guys at the same time....the main difference is Ross is one of the best game day coaches in the league...he has plan b c d e.....he knows how to win from anywhere...(plus your team is much better and more worthier finalists)

Should be a good game...this game is what you get when collide an unstoppable force into an immovable object...

 

[clogged]

Short flight from Adelaide - don't think it will have a huge impact to be honest.

Still a three and a half hour flight, which is an hour longer than any flights on the east coast.

Not that I think it will be much of an impact either, but Fremantle handle excessive travel every week.

 

[Cobbler]

We had control in the first half against you guys ...we just didnt put it on the board...

You guys had a nine goal blitz where Ballantyne just pulled goals from everywhere...he was amazing...in between your 9 nine goal spurt we squandered opportunities...which could of stopped that..

The difference from our first half of the season and our 2nd ...is our goal conversion. ...richmond copped first hand what we can do if we kick accurately....

In saying that you cant downplay our win....well you can if it makes you feel better...but at the same time we cant expect a richmond type game playing you guys at the same time....the main difference is Ross is one of the best game day coaches in the league...he has plan b c d e.....he knows how to win from anywhere...(plus your team is much better and more worthier finalists)

Should be a good game...this game is what you get when collide an unstoppable force into an immovable object...

You mean when you ran into open goals with no pressure? I've never seen a more diabolical first 10 minutes to an elimination final ever.

Not downplaying your win, but we had these same arguments after you beat a non existent Carlton.

 

[Wigarus]

We had control in the first half against you guys ...we just didnt put it on the board...

You guys had a nine goal blitz where Ballantyne just pulled goals from everywhere...he was amazing...in between your 9 nine goal spurt we squandered opportunities...which could of stopped that..

The difference from our first half of the season and our 2nd ...is our goal conversion. ...richmond copped first hand what we can do if we kick accurately....

In saying that you cant downplay our win....well you can if it makes you feel better...but at the same time we cant expect a richmond type game playing you guys at the same time....the main difference is Ross is one of the best game day coaches in the league...he has plan b c d e.....he knows how to win from anywhere...(plus your team is much better and more worthier finalists)

Should be a good game...this game is what you get when collide an unstoppable force into an immovable object...

Regarding the bolded, I would say that you possibly had more control but you can't really call it complete control if you can't score.

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

Regarding the bolded, I would say that you possibly had more control but you can't really call it complete control if you can't score.

True.. but just pointing out the fact it took a 9 goal blitz to only beat us by 8 points....

we had more scoring shots
Lead the i50s 57 to 41
Had more marks i50

we squandered opportunities while ballantyne destroyed us from all angles....will it happen again...from my point of view I would hope if we lose...it doesnt come from the fact it came from a 9 goal blitz.

You mean when you ran into open goals with no pressure? I've never seen a more diabolical first 10 minutes to an elimination final ever.

Not downplaying your win, but we had these same arguments after you beat a non existent Carlton.

yeah like I said I dont expect that kind of rubbish from a ross lyon coach team and team of your talent....I am just saying I dont think there is the gap between our teams that people are saying....
you guys are favourites and deserve to be...more experience and you have home ground advantage.

But you cant downplay we created the perfect start not richmond...

 

[Spoken4]

True.. but just pointing out the fact it took a 9 goal blitz to only beat us by 8 points....

we had more scoring shots
Lead the i50s 57 to 41
Had more marks i50

we squandered opportunities while ballantyne destroyed us from all angles....will it happen again...from my point of view I would hope if we lose...it doesnt come from the fact it came from a 9 goal blitz.

yeah like I said I dont expect that kind of rubbish from a ross lyon coach team and team of your talent....I am just saying I dont think there is the gap between our teams that people are saying....
you guys are favourites and deserve to be...more experience and you have home ground advantage.

But you cant downplay we created the perfect start not richmond...

Let's be clear. Freo was up 42 points after 15 minutes into the last quarter. Game was over and our team clearly put the cue in the rack.

 

[Cobbler]

True.. but just pointing out the fact it took a 9 goal blitz to only beat us by 8 points....

we squandered opportunities while ballantyne destroyed us from all angles....will it happen again...from my point of view I would hope if we lose...it doesnt come from the fact it came from a 9 goal blitz.

I could argue it took a 5 goal blitz when the game was truly done to get within 8 points. You also had a 6 goals to 2 goals run at another stage. Can't just discount the 9 goal run, just like I wouldn't say if only we had split your runs. Just dumb logic.

You were 2 goals up into the 3rd and then the big boys came to play and put you away to lead by nearly 40. Game was over then and there.

You also mention more scoring shots and inside 50s. This can be the most misleading stat in the AFL. You kick a behind we have to kick out from behind the arc and often just clear the 50m arc. It then comes back in to rack up inside 50 stats. The fact you kicked poorly is a trait with teams playing against Fremantle because we force teams wide. Think I read a stat that suggested teams against us have the worst scoring conversion... thats not luck, thats by design.

Will also say our low inside 50's could be a case of your team sucking in defense. Once it goes in we score. Our defense holds up very well and invites repeat 50's. Again pointing out how the stat can be misleading.

So before you just pop on here and say 'if we had...' ' if you guys didn't' maybe pay those who follow the team a bit more respect and be aware that the Fremantle Football Club don't get lucky. We get what we deserve.

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

Let's be clear. Freo was up 42 points after 15 minutes into the last quarter. Game was over and our team clearly put the cue in the rack.

I cant argue this at all..

you beat us fair and square without your best player...immaculate effort....

but you cant convince me that our best football vs your best football is that far apart.....its not like we have no chance of beating you on your home deck...

especially since the guy who single handly turned the game for you is under an injury cloud..

its going to be a good game which you will be favourites for.

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

I could argue it took a 5 goal blitz when the game was truly done to get within 8 points. You also had a 6 goals to 2 goals run at another stage. Can't just discount the 9 goal run, just like I wouldn't say if only we had split your runs. Just dumb logic.

You were 2 goals up into the 3rd and then the big boys came to play and put you away to lead by nearly 40. Game was over then and there.

You also mention more scoring shots and inside 50s. This can be the most misleading stat in the AFL. You kick a behind we have to kick out from behind the arc and often just clear the 50m arc. It then comes back in to rack up inside 50 stats. The fact you kicked poorly is a trait with teams playing against Fremantle because we force teams wide. Think I read a stat that suggested teams against us have the worst scoring conversion... thats not luck, thats by design.

Will also say our low inside 50's could be a case of your team sucking in defense. Once it goes in we score. Our defense holds up very well and invites repeat 50's. Again pointing out how the stat can be misleading.

So before you just pop on here and say 'if we had...' ' if you guys didn't' maybe pay those who follow the team a bit more respect and be aware that the Fremantle Football Club don't get lucky. We get what we deserve.

What we are both arguing about is illogical...I thought I was being respectful towards your team while sticking up for mine....apologies if you took it that way

New game new day etc etc...

Lets see how it plays out....if you can do the 9 goal blitz that kills us off again I will gracefully lick my wounds and say we werent good enough....I will come back here and wish you guys the best on run to the gf....but as it stands now we are a chance against the favoured opposistion..

 

[Spoken4]

I cant argue this at all..

you beat us fair and square without your best player...immaculate effort....

but you cant convince me that our best football vs your best football is that far apart.....its not like we have no chance of beating you on your home deck...

especially since the guy who single handly turned the game for you is under an injury cloud..

its going to be a good game which you will be favourites for.

No, you're best effort is very, very close to our best. Port deserved to be top 4 ahead of Geelong (and maybe even ahead of Freo based on some games we lost this year that we should have won).

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

No, you're best effort is very, very close to our best. Port deserved to be top 4 ahead of Geelong (and maybe even ahead of Freo based on some games we lost this year that we should have won).

Good then we agree...

I am just stressing about fyfe....I remember earlier in the year we just could not stop him....

 

[clogged]

No, you're best effort is very, very close to our best. Port deserved to be top 4 ahead of Geelong (and maybe even ahead of Freo based on some games we lost this year that we should have won).

Yeah agree with that. Real shame Port didn't finish top four, or at the very least, finish on the same side of the draw as the Cats. A good team who should be deeper in finals.

 

[Spoken4]

Good then we agree...

I am just stressing about fyfe....I remember earlier in the year we just could not stop him....

My prediction is that he will be the difference on Saturday.

 

[Cobbler]

My prediction is that he will be the difference on Saturday.

Is Fyfe going to go on a 9 goal blitz!?

 

[BIG MATTY WHITE]

My prediction is that he will be the difference on Saturday.

The guy is a freak...he very well could be...

For us it has to be boak and his match up with crowley...gray kicking his sitters would be handy too

 

[freo84]

Is Fyfe going to go on a 9 goal blitz!?

Only 9?