How did Freo emerge from the pack

[Bojangles17]

Looks like Freo will be a pretty competitive outfit this year. So hpw have they defied expectations. Naturally this has been a few years in the making with Harvey being in Yr 3 of his contract. So how have they built their list?

Didn't they add 12 or so players to thier list 2 yrs ago, how many last year?

Any priority picks along the way?

It is interesting how other clubs are able to turn the club around...Id like to learn more of what Freo did and the swans are another good example of bolstering their outfit to seemingly good effect.

I'm sure some learned posters will outline what Freo have done at the draft table in last 3 yrs. Id like to see how we compare in Yr 1

 

[turtle27]

They started with Pavlich

 

[TOOs_Finest]

They started with Pavlich

Lol, well actually I suggest he his part of the formula (obviously).

As dormant as they have been, they always knew they had an on-field leader ready to lead the way once they had the right troops under him.

I think it's noticeable this year that their bodies have finally matured. Not sure if they have done anything different here, but even some of their 2nd year players look quite stronger in the upper body this year (eg. Hill).

They may have finally found a group of players capable of bonding together, and willing to put their heads down and butts up. Attitude and teammate-ship are such major factors, often disregarded by people. This is often why certain players are kept on lists for longer than people wish. A coach realises that with the right group, a certain player will grow and flourish in the right environment. I mean, how many current Freo players would have been written off by the majority of people in the past few years? Plenty!

Disclaimer: still not sold on Freo yet, especially if they cop a couple of injuries, their depth is not that great IMO. But it may well be the start of something.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I'm not surprised at all by Freo.They have been building a really talented list for a few years now.It's a case of out of sight out of mind,if some of those boys played down here they would be the talk of the town.
It's encouraging for us I think,as Mark harvey stripped the joint back in a similar way to us just 2-3 years ago,and people were calling for his head and wondering where they were headed.Considering He and Hardwick are good mates and have similar views on the game its quite encouraging.

 

[Greggy]

From point A. They win every hit out. The coach has been working hard on their midfield clearances, if you know you're controlling where the ball is going it's a great advantage in set plays etc..

Plus, 3 years to get a cohesive gameplan and some stability into their team.

I think they'll be competitive but I need to see more to judge whether they've actually improved their fortitude.

 

[heartbroken]

after several years, they have finally been able to clear their best 22 of battlers. There are no longer any good honet battlers on their side that can do a job but cannot themselves create opportunities and pressure their opponent.

If we compare them to Richmond, they no longer have the Kings, Tucks, Hislops etc etc etc.

I think that Freo are 2-3 years ahead of us. They have a handful of absolute stars and alot of "good players". Our absolute stars are ummm....

 

[kainokaino]

I think that Freo are 2-3 years ahead of us. They have a handful of absolute stars and alot of "good players". Our absolute stars are ummm....

And there "absolute stars" are ... Sandilands, Pavlich, ?, ?, ?

 

[krustyman]

freo only won 6 while richmond had 5 wins and a draw last season. freo have more or less the same player they had last season plus top up a few mature players like barlow/mcphee and young top draft moribito.

 

[Tigerbob]

How did Freo do it?

1. Have the balls to cut the list deep.

2. Smart recruitment.

3. A focus on development.

By no means are they there yet, but Mark Harvey needs to be congratulated. He needed to scrap the list of the under achievers and bring in fresh young players and he did that. He has made the odd mistake but generally he and his recruiting team have done well.

Good luck to them.

We have finally taken the path and whilst it will take time, I am confident we will see success in the not to distant future.

This week we may have Martin, Nason, Webberley, Astbury, Taylor and Dea all line up. Pretty exciting times.

 

[Spluff]

Freo have, statistically, one of the older lists in the competition, and have for some time. With players like Sandilands, Pavlich, Hasleby, Headland and Tarrant - the absolute core of their list - getting on in years, over the last few years they have placed a heavy emphasis on recruiting ready to go players, to bolster their aging core and make them immediately more competitive, so that they can have a crack at finals before they lose their aging stars.

This, coupled with a newfound furiosity at the ball, clicked into place this season and has seen them improve dramatically. The only question is whether they have the talent to go all the way.

 

[tora tora tora]

How did Freo do it?




This week we may have Martin, Nason, Webberley, Astbury, Taylor and Dea all line up. Pretty exciting times.

Al these guys in the line up would be great (& Roberts) , a win would be a bonus.

all these omissions provide a great opp. for the youing recruits.

the in-house suspensions also send a crystal clear msg to these young players about what is expected on and off the field.

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

Looks like Freo will be a pretty competitive outfit this year. So hpw have they defied expectations. Naturally this has been a few years in the making with Harvey being in Yr 3 of his contract. So how have they built their list?

Didn't they add 12 or so players to thier list 2 yrs ago, how many last year?

Any priority picks along the way?

It is interesting how other clubs are able to turn the club around...Id like to learn more of what Freo did and the swans are another good example of bolstering their outfit to seemingly good effect.

I'm sure some learned posters will outline what Freo have done at the draft table in last 3 yrs. Id like to see how we compare in Yr 1

They invested in youth and smart recruitment.

Mayne, Ballantyne, Hill, Suban, Palmer, Broughton, Barlow, Silvangi & Morabito

The had a spine to build a team around too Tarrant, Johnson, Sandilands, Pavlich & McPharlin.

 

[mcuzzy]

after several years, they have finally been able to clear their best 22 of battlers. There are no longer any good honet battlers on their side that can do a job but cannot themselves create opportunities and pressure their opponent.

If we compare them to Richmond, they no longer have the Kings, Tucks, Hislops etc etc etc.

I think that Freo are 2-3 years ahead of us. They have a handful of absolute stars and alot of "good players". Our absolute stars are ummm....

I personally would consider Deledio and Cousins as 'stars'

Cotchin and martin soon to be if cotch can gather fitness and more consistent form and martin can keep playing well

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I think players like mundy, duffield and Hayden are undersold. It is a very even list talent wise when you factor in the older blokes and some really good kids as PRR mentioned.

 

[Dr2Sheds]

Hope you don't mind me poking my nose in here fellas...
You've noted the main ingredients to our good start but what has really helped (IMO) was the last year's recruits; hill, suban, broughton and de boer got maximum senior exposure due to injuries - probably the only time you could see injuries in a positive light, it effectively gave them 2 years worth of games in one.
I like the look of martin and nason and if hardwick an Co can build comaradery amongst the new guy's like harvey has you'll be on your way.

Good Luck.

 

[Bojangles17]

Hope you don't mind me poking my nose in here fellas...
You've noted the main ingredients to our good start but what has really helped (IMO) was the last year's recruits; hill, suban, broughton and de boer got maximum senior exposure due to injuries - probably the only time you could see injuries in a positive light, it effectively gave them 2 years worth of games in one.
I like the look of martin and nason and if hardwick an Co can build comaradery amongst the new guy's like harvey has you'll be on your way.

Good Luck.

hey dr, before you nick off, how many draft choices have you had in last 2 seasons?

 

[heartbroken]

I personally would consider Deledio and Cousins as 'stars'

Cotchin and martin soon to be if cotch can gather fitness and more consistent form and martin can keep playing well

If Deledio and Cousins are our stars, then god save the queen. Deledio drifts in and out of games and Cousins while trying his best is not the player he used to be.

Hopefully Martin and Cotchin will be sstar. We are absolutely desparate for a star in the forward line though.

 

[mcuzzy]

If Deledio and Cousins are our stars, then god save the queen. Deledio drifts in and out of games and Cousins while trying his best is not the player he used to be.

Hopefully Martin and Cotchin will be sstar. We are absolutely desparate for a star in the forward line though.

deledio drifting out of games doesn't mean he isn't a star, evn chris judd often drifts out of a game yet he is considered one of the best ever

cousins not being the 'way he used to' doesn't mean anything, he is still a gun, just not as good

 

[Bojangles17]

If Deledio and Cousins are our stars, then god save the queen. Deledio drifts in and out of games and Cousins while trying his best is not the player he used to be.

Hopefully Martin and Cotchin will be sstar. We are absolutely desparate for a star in the forward line though.

thx eric pearce with the late news

 

[Dr2Sheds]

here ya go Bo:

2009 - 7 picks: 4 (morabito), 20, (fyfe), 36 (houghton), 48 (crichton), 49(roberton), 52 (bollenhagen), 79 (upgrade broughton from rookie list) hmm - dunno what it is about the 'tons' last year
Rookie draft 8 (barlow), 24 (silvagni)

2008 - 8 picks: 3 (hill), 21 (balla), 19 (suban), 37(clarke), 53(walters), 56(bucovaz), 68(ruffles), 77 (hall).
Rookie Draft 3 (sibosado), 19 (deboer), 34 (shepheard), 48 (pearce), 62 (van berlo), 74 (broughton)

2007 - 5 picks: 7 (palmer), 24 (hinkley), 40 (mayne), 55 (johnstone), 69 (bradley) last two ex bombers)
Rookie Draft: all delisted now.

certainly some astute picks by our talent scouts in the last two years , particularly targeting of 'mature aged' and 'mature bodied' players - the recruiters went for ready to go footballers over athletes. i've a feeling alot of teams will be going down that path over next few years with GC and GWS coming in.

adios

 

[T4P]

Although if you had a look at last year, how many games did they lose after being up at 3QTR time?
They were also ravaged with injuries so I'm told.

 

[Bojangles17]

here ya go Bo:

2009 - 7 picks: 4 (morabito), 20, (fyfe), 36 (houghton), 48 (crichton), 49(roberton), 52 (bollenhagen), 79 (upgrade broughton from rookie list) hmm - dunno what it is about the 'tons' last year
Rookie draft 8 (barlow), 24 (silvagni)

2008 - 8 picks: 3 (hill), 21 (balla), 19 (suban), 37(clarke), 53(walters), 56(bucovaz), 68(ruffles), 77 (hall).
Rookie Draft 3 (sibosado), 19 (deboer), 34 (shepheard), 48 (pearce), 62 (van berlo), 74 (broughton)

2007 - 5 picks: 7 (palmer), 24 (hinkley), 40 (mayne), 55 (johnstone), 69 (bradley) last two ex bombers)
Rookie Draft: all delisted now.

certainly some astute picks by our talent scouts in the last two years , particularly targeting of 'mature aged' and 'mature bodied' players - the recruiters went for ready to go footballers over athletes. i've a feeling alot of teams will be going down that path over next few years with GC and GWS coming in.

adios

cheers dr, so if I read it right incl rookie Freo have taken more than 20 players in last 2 yrs and over 3 yrs have only ever had 3 selections < pick20.

Dead right in that the list has been developed with some astute talent spotting and another example how a competitive outfit can be built in the absence of priority selections..all the best

 

[santa claws]

sheesh they improved by getting rid of many slow aged mids. they have always had the nucleus of a good spine thier big man stocks remain strong. imo the one area of concern now is their big men as most are all starting to age and because of this the window is small

 

[Bojangles17]

sheesh they improved by getting rid of many slow aged mids. they have always had the nucleus of a good spine thier big man stocks remain strong. imo the one area of concern now is their big men as most are all starting to age and because of this the window is small

possibly, who is backing up sandilands?

 

[greenred]

cheers dr, so if I read it right incl rookie Freo have taken more than 20 players in last 2 yrs and over 3 yrs have only ever had 3 selections < pick20.

Dead right in that the list has been developed with some astute talent spotting and another example how a competitive outfit can be built in the absence of priority selections..all the best

It's not just about getting the talent in. Most of the players selected have a top attitude as well. The mature agers are a given and they have found some real quality with Broughton, Ballantyne and Barlow, but the youngsters like Palmer, Mayne, Hill, Suban etc are desperate and have a never say die attitude to their game. Freo are also throwing a lot of money into their development program - they want these players to fast-track as rapidly as possible. I wonder how many other clubs currently have 5 rookie listed players running around in their 22?