No Oppo Supporters General AFL and other clubs discussion thread. **Opposition fans not welcome**

[markr]

I'm almost certainly reading too much into round 1 form, but I reckon in previous years the Hawks, Cats and Port hit round 1 fit, held it until about 3/4 of the way through the season, then were off for a bit then had a second fitness peak for finals. Where Freo and Sydney would roll into the season short of fitness for the first 4-5 rounds, then try to stay up until the end of the year.

Interesting that Sydney have run over the Dons and Freo have outlasted the fittest side to lace up boots. We'll see if they both hit the first few rounds harder than in previous years (and have the corresponding lull later in the year).

 

[Jtree]

I'm almost certainly reading too much into round 1 form, but I reckon in previous years the Hawks, Cats and Port hit round 1 fit, held it until about 3/4 of the way through the season, then were off for a bit then had a second fitness peak for finals. Where Freo and Sydney would roll into the season short of fitness for the first 4-5 rounds, then try to stay up until the end of the year.

Interesting that Sydney have run over the Dons and Freo have outlasted the fittest side to lace up boots. We'll see if they both hit the first few rounds harder than in previous years (and have the corresponding lull later in the year).

Freo Fitter than expected? yes .... Disposal efficiency worse than expected? Unfortunately no... Their skills tonight were atrocious !

 

[WWSD]

Fremantle winning is a good result in the end as Port at Adelaide Oval in the finals is a much tougher prospect then Fremantle in Perth.

 

[eldorado]

Fremantle winning is a good result in the end as Port at Adelaide Oval in the finals is a much tougher prospect then Fremantle in Perth.

Jeez, can we just see what happens in the next 22 rounds before we start working out finals permutations?

 

[Argy]

What a great result for football. Not.

Geez I hate that f*ing negativity. Right now I don't know which team I hate the most; * or Freo.

 

[cryptor]

For a round 1 game it was pretty entertaining despite the skill issues at times.

Yes- Freo have the same structural issues as always. If their press breaks down, they are vulernable. if they move the ball quickly there is no one forward. They don't have enough roaming mediums and talls taking marks inside fwd 50. Same old same old.

But they have a decent crack. I admire that. I just don't think their 22 fills out as strongly as others, which puts pressure on the top 6 players to get them over the line too often. Remains to be seen what they are capable of sustaining. But i think it folly to outright bag them. Despite my own criticisms of the way Ross Lyon manages player lists, if they stay fit and can execute pressure- they will be at least very competitive.

Port looked less dangerous up fwd than they have for a very long time. Physically they are ready, but do they have a plan b if plan A doesn't work? I don't know. They need different ways to move the ball. Always running and playing on doesn't always work if the defensive structures in place force you to run to certain positions. Sometimes it is better to move the defense out of position by holding onto the ball longer. They were predictable. Which has not been the case for two years. So, yes, the challenge is there for them.

Very unlikely a gameplan that requires such hard running to be performed by so many guys over 30 - many of whom have recent histories of soft tissue injuries. And apparently their running program has increased 40% this preseason. I don't know if that number is accurate or just for show. Big risk to be flogging said old blokes that hard if they haven't been doing that much in previous years.

 

[Brant]

Very unlikely a gameplan that requires such hard running to be performed by so many guys over 30 - many of whom have recent histories of soft tissue injuries. And apparently their running program has increased 40% this preseason. I don't know if that number is accurate or just for show. Big risk to be flogging said old blokes that hard if they haven't been doing that much in previous years.

I'm just astonished that with their list & the make-up of it, that they thought the best thing to do during trade period was... nothing.

I find it extremely hard to understand how they thought they had the perfect list both last year & this year & didn't try to regenerate, improve or rebuild - I look at their Best 16 & all I can see is holes - it gets ugly from there...

 

[savagelunchbox]

I've been thinking about this all evening and I still have no answer.

What is the point of Chris Mayne?

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I'm just astonished that with their list & the make-up of it, that they thought the best thing to do during trade period was... nothing.

I find it extremely hard to understand how they thought they had the perfect list both last year & this year & didn't try to regenerate, improve or rebuild - I look at their Best 16 & all I can see is holes - it gets ugly from there...

Ross going all in before he takes the reins at collingwood next year.

 

[Brishawk]

I'm just astonished that with their list & the make-up of it, that they thought the best thing to do during trade period was... nothing.

I find it extremely hard to understand how they thought they had the perfect list both last year & this year & didn't try to regenerate, improve or rebuild - I look at their Best 16 & all I can see is holes - it gets ugly from there...

They recruited Sylvia ... Clearly no one else would go there.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I've been thinking about this all evening and I still have no answer.

What is the point of Chris Mayne?

He's there to give Jarrad Grant something to work towards.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I don't think either Port or Freo have the depth to challenge. They need everybody on deck.

 

[MightyHawks]

Best two sides I've seen* so far this weekend


* Haven't watched the Saints v GWS match yet

Just finishing up the replay of Saints v GWS and still think Port & Freo best two sides I've seen so far this weekend

 

[Gaston]

I've been thinking about this all evening and I still have no answer.

What is the point of Chris Mayne?

He is a DUFF
Definitely Ugly Freo Forward,

making Pav and the others look 10% better at their jobs.

 

[MinerBoy]

Jeez, can we just see what happens in the next 22 rounds before we start working out finals permutations?

No.

I've done all the calcs. It goes like this.

QF - MCG
PF -MCG
GF - MCG

Looks like we win them all.

 

[MinerBoy]

I'm just astonished that with their list & the make-up of it, that they thought the best thing to do during trade period was... nothing.

I find it extremely hard to understand how they thought they had the perfect list both last year & this year & didn't try to regenerate, improve or rebuild - I look at their Best 16 & all I can see is holes - it gets ugly from there...

Regenerate? Rebuild?

 

[LuvMyHawks]

One of my two wishes came true, ( the other one today I hope, )the 2nd Scott brother loses his game . They both irritate me so much, such cocky individuals..Two out of two would be great

 

[Thaihawk]

MANIC PRESSURE. WOWEE WILDEST DREAMS!!!!

Not possible without Cyril and Poppy!

 

[moginie]

They've got no idea. when nead kicked from the pocket they said a guy in the crowd with a baby was sledging. he was clearly saying "say hello to mum"

No, he was actually congratulating Neade(?) on his bum.

That wasn't the funniest part of that bit of play. It was even funnier to watch Westhoff miss from 15 meters out dead in front.

That game was a time warp back to the WCE/Sydney games of 10 years ago. Manic pressure & almost zero skills at times.

Did anyone else notice that when Fremantle players handball to each other, they rarely block or shepherd their opponent afterwards? Compared to how our players go about it, they are not making it easier for themselves.

 

[cryptor]

No, he was actually congratulating Neade(?) on his bum.

That wasn't the funniest part of that bit of play. It was even funnier to watch Westhoff miss from 15 meters out dead in front.

That game was a time warp back to the WCE/Sydney games of 10 years ago. Manic pressure & almost zero skills at times.

Did anyone else notice that when Fremantle players handball to each other, they rarely block or shepherd their opponent afterwards? Compared to how our players go about it, they are not making it easier for themselves.

WHEN they handballed it. Saw plenty of throwing in that game by both sides. Most not paid.

 

[Thaihawk]

WHEN they hand balled it. Saw plenty of throwing in that game by both sides. Most not paid.

Massive number of throws over the weekend. Lost count in the billionaires v druggies game.

 

[Wundo]

Jeez, can we just see what happens in the next 22 rounds before we start working out finals permutations?

No.

 

[moginie]

WHEN they handballed it. Saw plenty of throwing in that game by both sides. Most not paid.

Yes, the illegal disposal rule is not policed at all. You have to make it so obvious before they'll call it.

 

[Jtree]

Jeez, can we just see what happens in the next 22 rounds before we start working out finals permutations?

In defence of wwsd.. I was thinking the same thing! Just a bit of premature errrr.... Imagination!

 

[Brant]

Yes, the illegal disposal rule is not policed at all. You have to make it so obvious before they'll call it.

I've a feeling it'll be called a bit today. I'm sure we'll have every interpretation, from both ridiculous ends of the spectrum - I wonder which team they'll favour?