Review Rd 1, 2019: Freo destroy the Roos

[Outshined]

Seriously though, where the hell did that come from!?

The most optimistic of us would've predicted we might get a decent 2-3 goal win if everything clicked and North were off the pace, but definitely not a 13 goal thumping coupled with our highest score in 5 years.

We absolutely have to continue to back it up from here, but this shows that the squad is capable of playing some pretty damn good football.

 

[FreoMonocle]

Just to anyone with a residual "same old game plan" sentiment. Not having a go. I think it's clear that there are a few differences, playing on, quick ball use, hardly switching the ball backwards, running on to the next position and next position beyond the current play - e.g. forward thinking, amongst others.

I think though, the big free open scoring that they've been hoohaaing about with the rule changes, has been more to do with the umpiring decisions being fast (and sometimes pre-emptive). A few of our marks (just as an example), were paid before the player had control of the ball, so instead of team mates slowing up to confirm a presumed mark - e..g do I need to hang around coz it might have been touched or whatever, players hear the whistle and don't slow down a gear to set up for the next play. Contrast the first 3/4 to the last quarter, sure the players were shagged, but so were the umps and they weren't so quick on the whistle and it brought the game tempo down.

Credit to North for playing the game out, once you realise that it's beyond a miracle and a loss is beyond doubt, it is hard to give it your all - and they kept at it until the final siren.

I'm stoked with the result, though will no doubt be sobered up a bit if we play with key injuries against a quality team that isn't so affected (North were hamstrung by injuries as we were).

 

[Sweetback]

It helped that North had no backline. Don’t think that will happen every week.

 

[estibador]

I’d like this. Looked good.

It was the worst thing ever according to this board when it was first announced. Pretty typical around here.

I was pretty confident going into the game, but that exceeded even my wildest expectations.

 

[jedi mind tricks]

I was a big critic of Ross. Maybe I'm eating humble pie.

On another note Blakely back soon will strengthen us. Freo are looking good

 

[LeftFootBanana]

Well I've had enough...

Ross won't change - defensive and keeps playing his favourites.
We recruit crabs like Lobb, Conca and Colyer who are nothing but depth.
Our culture is sh1t.
Guys like Tucker and Tabs don't develop.
And Dardy will never be any good no matter what forward structure we have.

How am I doing?

 

[Yeti]

What's the saying? One swallow doesn't make a summer?

Whatever it is, 1 win won't make our season but hopefully we can continue in this direction and show some consistency moving forward.

The list needs to stay healthy, we need to not have those heavy defeats as per previous years and hopefully we can enjoy our footy again.

 

[Righteo]

It helped that North had no backline. Don’t think that will happen every week.

Surely you can allow yourself to get a little bit excited mate? it's not like we won't be getting players back either

 

[johnnomac]

It helped that North had no backline. Don’t think that will happen every week.

No backline and no Cunnington for a week or two.

 

[Westerberg]

Most promising was winning each quarter. Was still afraid at half time we'd revert to type and stink it up for a quarter or two.

Wonder if there has been a change of approach to stop those fade outs happening

 

[BlueE]

Enjoy the moment. Good way to start the year.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Great to see McCarthy, and Alex Pearce cover 14+ k's for the game.

Great work.

 

[FreoMonocle]

Up until the last 2 (or 3? goals) that North kicked, we were above the Giants percentage as well as being the highest score for the round.

 

[BlueE]

Ballantine hamstring - Bennell in!

 

[Getlegs]

Gee, if McCarthy can play like that on a regular basis, Hogan will have a hard time getting a spot back. All our key forwards played well.

I hope we don't replace ballantyne with Hogan. The forward line will be too tall in my opinion. Gold coast will be wet/dewy.

 

[Quokka]

Member for the last decade, sat through rain, congestion, Subiaco... and this is what Freo do the year we leave Perth and aren't at the game ?!?!?




Yeah whatever, I enjoyed that

 

[Sweetback]

Surely you can allow yourself to get a little bit excited mate? it's not like we won't be getting players back either

Oh yeah, don’t worry, I’m stoked. The side looks more balanced than I can remember, our area of weakness, the midfield, held together, all our debutants kicked goals, nobody who came in under an injury cloud got worse, and we played attacking footy. It’s all you could ask for.

 

[malpaso]

It helped that North had no backline. Don’t think that will happen every week.

Sure they have injuries there. However look at it this way, with those injuries we SHOULD have taken advantage and we did, it's very rare that we do in such situations.
Would you rather have Blakely and Hogan into your side or S. Thompson and M. Daw?

 

[Timmytime]

Logging in after my annual bigfooty off season hiatus was great today

 

[go_the_dockers]

Well that's cryptic

Corrected. Pearce gave Brown a bath, and ran off him all day

 

[Ysaye]

I though Goldstein played well but (if we can keep them on the park) the Darcy/Lobb combo is going to be huge for us I reckon this year.

Tucker brings a lot better kicking to the midfield and I reckon that was his best game to date. Brayshaw brings the grunt and I think will be even better when he just gets his head right with his skills.

I thought Taberner did some really good things when the game was on the line; particularly tackling and pressure acts. Still dropped some sitters, but took pressure off McCarthy to have the game he had.

Pearce, Hamling, Ryan and Wilson looked nothing like their preseason form suggested - are we sure they weren't just experimenting with options in those games?

Cerra was quiet, but maybe we are just holding him in reserve for later in the season? We don't need everyone firing yet I suppose...

 

[dockshark]

Sorry don't like the thread title

No need to be smug.

The boys were terrific. Well done Freo

Agreed and changed.

Apologies to any North supporters that picked up on that we’ve sure been where you are a few times in recent years...

 

[kingswood71]

Hopefully this continues.
Saw glimpses last year of an attacking game plan...today we executed that.
Our run off half back was something to behold.
Fast transition left them reeling.
Oh what a feeling!

 

[Bastyy]

Ballas out with a hammy from the according to Ross at the presser, only real negative

 

[Eski3]

Sorry guys I slept in, we still sacking ross or what's the go?