Fremantle Tactics that broke down Sydney

[Arcassius]

This one probably deserves it's own thread for discussion - opinionated breakdown of the tactics we used against Sydney and why it worked https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/...ical-masterpiece-orchestrated-2024s-best-win/

The most extraordinary stat of the day was the number six, and this told the story of exactly how Freo set up their 27-point quarter time lead that ultimately proved enough by the barest of all margins.

It’s how many goals the Dockers scored from chains starting in their defensive 50: six goals from seven, to be exact.

That’s a stunning number on two fronts: one, because in a game dictated mostly by conservatism defensively and ferocious pressure forcing turnovers and repeat entries in attack, defensive half scoring isn’t how most teams put on the lion’s share of their points. Only Adelaide – by 0.3 per game – and St Kilda – by a mile – score more from their defensive half than their forward half, while the reigning premiers Collingwood, whose style many teams attempt to mimic due to their flag, are -18.1.

And two: because Freo as a rule don’t play in this way. Their average score from defensive half per game was 33.4 heading into Round 16, ranking them 12th in the league. Typically, their modus operandi is to calmly retain possession – as evidenced by their third-placed ranking in the AFL for marks and the staggering, league-best numbers Luke Ryan has been racking up – stay patient, and look to gain as much territory as possible unless a real opportunity to go through the corridor presents itself, before going long and forcing a stoppage, which is where their handball-happy game kicks in.

Jordan Clark

6

Jordan Clark

Age

24

Ht

185cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

4.3

3star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

MG

172.0

3star

D

12.5

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.5

2star

MG

172.0

3star

D

12.2

3star

K

10.4

4star

HB

1.8

2star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

and Fremantle celebrate defeating Sydney. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Add to that Freo’s season-high ratio for kicks to handballs – the Dockers’ rate (42.9 per cent of disposals) sat behind only GWS (43.1) in the first 15 rounds, but that figure shot down to 36.9 at the SCG – and John Longmire’s Swans simply did not know what had hit them in the first quarter.

And the clincher? Sydney, heading into the weekend, had given up 23.6 points per game from the opposition’s defensive half in 2024, comfortably the best in the league.

My theory, though, is that this is as much to do with supply and opportunity than it is something about the Swans’ structure specifically. Teams either can’t or won’t attack them in this way, perhaps fearing the damage Sydney can wreak on turnover going the other way and knowing they pay a terrible price with a single errant kick. Otherwise, I can’t explain why the Swans were sixth in the league at conceding rebound 50s going into Round 16, and yet with the fourth-fewest inside 50s against.

So when the Dockers came out with an aggressive short-kicking strategy, targeting the corridor but always willing to move laterally to either wing and open the ground further, never staying still for long, and looking to hit up any of five marking options in attack, the Swans’ backline, which has held firm all season long, did not know what had hit it.

What was interesting was the breakdown of the forward structure and how each forward played a role to not overlap into each other's space all game. Would be interesting to see if people who were at the game can confirm this

The best line -

The Swans have had down patches in games of late, to be sure; but this is the first time they have been thoroughly tactically outclassed. It was nothing short of a masterpiece from Longmuir.

 

[FreoGirl]

and here I was believing it was because Luke Ryan dyed his hair

 

[Perfect Purple]

No 1 tactic was for Darcy to run Grundy into the ground and he did it superbly.

 

[poshman]

This one probably deserves it's own thread for discussion - opinionated breakdown of the tactics we used against Sydney and why it worked https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/06/...ical-masterpiece-orchestrated-2024s-best-win/



What was interesting was the breakdown of the forward structure and how each forward played a role to not overlap into each other's space all game. Would be interesting to see if people who were at the game can confirm this

The best line -

That article is worth a full read.

Makes you appreciate the tactics and teamwork from everyone. Great read.

 

[Arcassius]

That article is worth a full read.

Makes you appreciate the tactics and teamwork from everyone. Great read.

Agreed. I didn't want to post the full article here as it deserves a read and credit to the author on the depth of it

 

[james haish]

Interesting analysis but do Roar contributors get paid per superlative?