The key stats

[Chops_a_must]

A couple of things:

When players were running into scrimmages and contested situations, they weren't just running in like your ammos.

For the first time in our history they were running to points around the contest and adjusting to who was there. That's the making of a smart team - at any level. Simple things like getting a player or two out the back, or a bolter over the top. We've never ever structured like this. And it makes the contested game so much easier.

The thing I have noticed in this game, and especially against WC in the pre-season, we don't have a good rebound from HB. Our weakness is getting stuck at HB without an out.

I'm sure our rebounding stats were probably poor, even though our stopping in the backline was good. But it nearly cost us the game in the 2nd quarter.

Either McPharlin needs to be given more freedom, or someone like Suban or even Hill is used in a more productive role for that particular purpose. MiJ had his best game in years doing this, and it's good to see Lyon has earmarked him for this, but I feel he needs a foil to continue it without being shut down.

 

[holy diver]

We won contested possession: 167-149
We won clearances: 39-38
We won total possession: 364-327.

What's this say? We won the ball. We won the 50-50 set plays. We held onto the ball. Against the benchmark of the comp.

There's a lot to like about Freo under Lyon.

The best thing about the stats is that they were accrued against a quality opposition team, the reigning premiers.

 

[prattsta]

I'm sure our rebounding stats were probably poor, even though our stopping in the backline was good. But it nearly cost us the game in the 2nd quarter.

Either McPharlin needs to be given more freedom, or someone like Suban or even Hill is used in a more productive role for that particular purpose. MiJ had his best game in years doing this, and it's good to see Lyon has earmarked him for this, but I feel he needs a foil to continue it without being shut down.

Agreed.

I've been on the McPharlin as the 3rd tall a la Scarlett ever since we signed Dawson. I'm still optimistic this will happen once Silvagni gets back up to speed. No guarantees though.

It's MJ and McPhee at the moment. McPhee just isn't creative/smart enough IMO. He's a bit of a ball-stopper. Ibbotson is in the same boat. Duffield could probably do it; defensively though...

There will be times where Broughton is going to have to focus on a shut-down role which means he's not an ideal candidate.

Suban needs to continue playing through the midfield. I've said it for ever but if he's going to make it in the AFL, he needs to spend more time on-ball. The 4Q on Saturday was a prefect example, he just adds something to the mix with his aggression and long kicking that we don't have.

If the Mzungu/Hill/Suban rotation through HB/W/Mid started happening with an offensive focus when at HB, that would help out a lot.