KissKiss
Norm Smith Medallist
- Nov 26, 2012
- 8,567
- 10,834
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
At the start of the year when I looked at the fixture and saw we were playing Fremantle away (and the Eagles at home) I was happy. I thought without Fyfe and Cerra that Fremantle were probably another year away from contending. I was thinking that this would be a slightly tough but very winnable game.
However Fremantle have blown away my expectations and shown that Flagmantle is a real threat. Wins against Geelong in Geelong and Melbourne at the MCG are right up there as some of the most difficult challenges in the comp right now. While they’ve had a couple of down games, its absolutely clear that on their day they can beat anyone.
Fremantle again have the best defence in the comp. Across the board the whole team seems committed to stopping scoring. They are well set up with big and small defenders that can intercept and shut teams down. Pearce is a good shout for an AA berth and I love the run they can generate from Young, Clarke and Acres. Brayshaw is a top 10 mid in the comp with Serong, Brodie (recruit of the year) and a big threat in Darcy. And don’t forget Aish who put on a tagging master class on the weekend to stop Oliver after he had 24 touches in the first half.
Last year
Round 8 – 9 May 2021 Gabba
Brisbane 95 – 71 Fremantle
Rich had monster day here with 31 disposals (28 kicks), 10 marks, rebound and inside 50s galore and 7 score involvements. He was well supported by Lyons and McCluggage while Charlie threatened to rip the game apart with 11 marks and kicked an inaccurate 3.5.
On the other side Mundy and Serong were strong while Fyfe was struggling through the yips. The other major factor that was arising here was big Darcy. He smashed Oscar with 39 hitouts to 15, 17 disposals and a goal. He gave away a bunch of free kicks but started to show that he’s an absolute weapon.
Round 21 – 8 August 2021 Optus Stadium
Fremantle 54 – 118 Brisbane
After losing to Hawthorn the week before, the Lions responded with a big win over Freo. Zorko was massive 34 touches with 10 tackles. Lyons, McCluggage and Rich again racked up the ball. Daniher kicked 4 to lead 6 other multiple goal kickers. Andrews led a short backline missing all of Adams, Payne and Gardiner, and had to hold out against Darcy, Treacy, Meek and Taberner all pushing forward.
The best offence versus the best defence
We are the highest scoring team coming against the miserly defence at their home ground. This is a great challenge for both teams in who can win out here. They have the tall forwards to matchup on our talls, so I wonder if this is another game we will need to rely on Charlie and Linc to win the game. Get the ball in the forward line, don’t let them intercept and bring it to ground will be key. Then let the smalls go to work.
At the other end of the ground it might be similar. Freo have some solid but I wouldn’t say great tall forwards (but I have big concerns over the form of our tall backs). Taberner was subbed out with a back issue so may need replacement. But I think the biggest threat is their small forwards. Shultz, Freddie, Walters and co are dangerous (Switkowski is also quality but suspended). Starc Answerth and Rich are going to have to be switched on. Last week Freo sent Logue forward to do a reverse job on May. Its possible they do so again in sending him forward to stop Adams or Harris. Hopefully Rich keeps up the form from last year as he hurt Fremantle last year
Midfield
Darcy is the big threat to me. Oscar and Fort will need to have big games to shut him down. Then we need to be wary of the great running Freo do. We have a weakness against teams that run and this is another risk to us. Berry and others will need to keep up the form to stop this momentum. And stop them from controlling the ball in the air.
Changes
McCluggage is an automatic best 22. But who goes out for him is tough. The straight change is Dev. Dev played a great game and I agree that we need extra mid support. I hope he isn’t out. Other changes require moving the magnets around. Other options I see could be:
- Rest Zorko (he looked off)
- Answerth out (Im not convinced on his form and ball use) and push Ah Chee or Zorko back
- Ah Chee out to sub (Berry and Prior have been better wingers) McClugg back to the wing
Robbo has been sub for two games in a row. I cant see him coming into the best 22 so think he should get some VFL game time. TBerry in for sub unless one of the outs for McCluggage goes to the sub.
Prediction
Absolute danger game. I hope they are down after a massive win away but I feel pessimistic and we might go down by 2 goals.
