Quazar2
All Australian
- Apr 3, 2024
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In the game against Brissy, just before our first goal Alex Pearce receives the ball, possibly from a switch (I'm going off memory alone here..) and he starts going forward with it, but he's looking like he wants to dish it off; like he's indecisive with it. Now last year I reckon he would have tried to maybe kick it sideways or back. But instead he piledrives it forward to Treacy who's close to the boundary/wing and he takes a falling mark and then Cyclone immediately dishes off a clever handball to Sharp who's observably stalking the wing behind him, as he wheels and bombs the ball in quickly, chaos style. The ensuing crumb results in a goal to new found 'goalsneak' Bailey Banfield who kicks the first goal of season 2024 for Freo. The first goal!
I wonder what odds you'd have got for Bailey to be the opening goalscorer?!?!
Another quick snap out of stoppage minutes later and Switta is on the board. From then on we started taking the game off Brisbane, we gave them some serious heat in the midfield and when we got it off them and spread we moved with some precision especially getting the ball inside 50. That goal to Amiss late in the 2nd, Ryan (who seems to have been 'bombing' less) dishes off to Clark in the middle with a great kick and Clark fires it down the throat of Amiss - it's just lovely quick-thinking play. And only really the compounded moments of fatigue plus injuries meant Brisbane got within 4 goals. It should have, and could have been a lot worse (for them).
The reason I'm highlighting this is because I think it's a pivotal moment in that game, that reminds me of 2022 (Brodie falling over but getting quick hands out) that you mentioned we saw elements of this then - except they're a year and a bit older (wiser) now. 2023 was crap, but maybe it was a needed baptism of fire to send voltage through the system, coupled with some important structural losses (Mundy, Acres...dare I say it...Lobb. Rory Knobb!).
"Kids" are tougher, fitter and mentally stronger. They didn't 'back off' or go in a shell, Pearce looking fitter and stronger than ever almost exemplified that ethos by driving the kick forwards, belief in himself and creating an opportunity which out of nothing became a goal. Man he played like a person possessed against Fadelaide, worked up in some kind of super-human frenzy! Jeez, we need more of this!! Feed this to us like a jelly beans addict!
This precedent of taking the game off the opposition then continues in the next 2 games despite being behind in all of them (not so badly against the Crows albeit..). The opposition (to date) simply cannot prevent us from overhauling them. North impress with some run' n gun and we look all at sea. I think late in the 2nd, or maybe halfway through Andy gets run down in a tackle (something normally his trademark) and he gets up, and I reckon he's angry. Because up to then he'd been fairly ordinary or certainly not at his expected level and he just goes ballistic and starts dragging the Dockers back into it from that point onwards. We completely take the sting out of North, halt the speed of the game and start generating scoring shots from inside 50s that go through. Suddenly the game is flipped on its head. Against the Crows, they try a similar thing; throwing the first punches. The fight is scrappy, but Freo says "hit me then!" and gets up, bloodied...but ready to fight! They're ready to fight this time.
It's impossible to know the exact reason we have sluggish starts or can't dominate early, but I wholly agree with J-Lo when he states I'd rather be in front at the end of the 4th than the 1st like the opposition teams. If it means sacrificing it, so be it....I doubt it's done deliberately, Freo just sometimes look like they're cold to begin with and then rev up!
The fact they're winning the games when they're looking on the ropes is what's caught the eye, and I definitely think the midfield tweaks are what have helped. The bodies are bigger, hardened and perhaps much fitter than 12 or so months ago. Also that bit older/experienced.
But we've got to credit J-Lo and his coaching staff for the summer program, the players dedication to it and the reality is it's been stacking up in games where we've been severely tested. I don't care the oppo fans who still sneer upon us ("oh, they're all easy games you've had to this point.."). Nah, not buying it brah - every game an underdog can rise up and test a favourite - play well and cause an upset. AFL football is a physically taxing game and any moment if you're not switched on your opponents can hurt you - bottom of the ladder or top. I'm pretty sure Hawthorn beat Collingwood, West Coast beat GWS and Bulldogs away last year against the odds. Although saying that West Coke look even more garbage than last year.....
Brisbane were certainly the bookies pick to win Round 1.
It wouldn't hurt to be in front ALL game....please!! But in reality, I just hope they keep winning. Something is clicking, not sure how or exactly why and they're still so 'young'. So....
Another 12 months, look out. Bloody hell!!
