Autopsy Solid win against Freo

[The King!]

My one criticism is that it was a bit of Parker or bust at the centre bounces and general clearances. He used it better than some
weeks, but he was dog tired, needs more help there

 

[dosser]

One play that I want to highlight was McInerney, back end of the 2nd quarter. Running back with the flight, ends up with the ball in hand, draws a player and gets a handball off, received it back again, and then hit Franklin lace out to give him his first goal and start his night off. Brilliant triple effort.

Only player I was truly disappointed in tonight was Blakey. Countless errors and brain fades and none of his dash.

Blakey's opponents continually brought him back to the goal square (as other teams have tried to do in the past as well). This took away his involvement in the play and ensured he couldn't use his running game.

 

[lazy77]

I thought Hayward & Buddy were the two stand-out performers. The former just looked the cleanest and most assured player on the ground; the latter looked wildly erratic as the later-day Buddy often is, but it constantly made things happen.

I thought Blakey and Cunningham were absolutely shocking. The former just never seems to play Optus well and turns into a headless chook; the latter was a mile from his opponents far too often.

The midfield was okay. Forwards kicked straight. Our fitness sucks. Good win and a great night.

Strange analysis. I really don't know what you're talking about. Cunningham was excellent. And Franklin was not erratic. He had a great game and was our best forward. Fitness was fine. We easily repelled their attempts at a comeback and there was never a point where they were running over the top of us.

 

[lazy77]

Win next week and we're right back in it. We need to win at least 4 out of the last 5, which sounds hard but not impossible. Essendon, GWS, GCS and one of Adelaide or Melbourne. Right now, it still seems unlikely, but it's impressive we're in the mix at all.

 

[Mister B]

I’ve been one to comment on the mental fragility of the players and while I’m not convinced we are completely yip free it was pleasing to see when the pressure came we stood up and held strong.

Someone said Cunningham was disappointing. I felt like he was important in parts with a few smothers and run down pressure that lead to turnovers where Freo looked out.

Anyway. Pretty chuffed with the performance. Few swannies out and about early in Perth proudly displaying the colours.

 

[The King!]

Strange analysis. I really don't know what you're talking about. Cunningham was excellent. And Franklin was not erratic. He had a great game and was our best forward. Fitness was fine. We easily repelled their attempts at a comeback and there was never a point where they were running over the top of us.

I thought Cunningham, especially in the first half was excellent

 

[SM]

Strange analysis. I really don't know what you're talking about. Cunningham was excellent. And Franklin was not erratic. He had a great game and was our best forward. Fitness was fine. We easily repelled their attempts at a comeback and there was never a point where they were running over the top of us.

Cunningham had a couple of blips but otherwise agree, I also thought Blakey was great. His dash off HB got us going after Freo threw everything at us in the first five minutes, and other than a few marking contests (he's being expected to do everything!) he was great.

 

[kickthething]

Very appropiate thread title btw.

Amongst the good performers it was hard to ignore the struggles last night for Blakey and Gulden. It is a difficult thing to live with the very high praise both have had, hope to see them both bounce back. Gulden did read the ball well a couple times in spoiling which but for a bounce another way could have been big moments.

McInerny for me is the biggest improver in terms of form. He is starting to get back to hid best. He has such a laconic look when he is at peak confidence.

Anyone lamenting the demise of Bloods spirit look no further than Rowbottom.

Good to see the team be resilient when Freo looked like they were coming.

 

[MR0808]

I thought Cunningham, especially in the first half was excellent

Cunningham's second half of the year has been phenomenal. Earlier this year I wanted him gone, he was just useless. But now, he's really turned his game around

 

[kickthething]

Blakey's opponents continually brought him back to the goal square (as other teams have tried to do in the past as well). This took away his involvement in the play and ensured he couldn't use his running game.

It’s something he needs to figure out, he can still generate that run and the transition phase is in his control. The back six can work through that as a group. Will need to risk being out of position defensively from time to time and if he hurts teams enough on the rebound, they will change their tactics.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Cheers mate.

No one knows. Certainly a few supporters thinking there might be merit in giving him another 12.

Pretty freakish for 36.

Based on the extended post-game hand shakes and hugs, Freo’s players believed this was Buddy’s last game in Perth.

 

[Punts]

Jmac is back

 

[Deccas]

I thought Cunningham, especially in the first half was excellent

Was it Cunningham who managed the smother in the last? It looked for all money like a goal and I think it would have really given them momentum and us nerves. Such an important moment whoever it was.

 

[BasicSwan]

In the press conference, Longmire mentioned the reason for Gulden playing inside and Mills playing on the wings was due to Mills feeling a bit 'banged up' during the week. So depending on how Mills ups, he might stay on the wing if he is still sore.

 

[Tedeski]

Based on the extended post-game hand shakes and hugs, Freo’s players believed this was Buddy’s last game in Perth.

You think he'll go on?

 

[Tedeski]

My one criticism is that it was a bit of Parker or bust at the centre bounces and general clearances. He used it better than some
weeks, but he was dog tired, needs more help there

He got a rest when Clarke came on.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Strange analysis. I really don't know what you're talking about. Cunningham was excellent. And Franklin was not erratic. He had a great game and was our best forward. Fitness was fine. We easily repelled their attempts at a comeback and there was never a point where they were running over the top of us.

I’m mostly with caesar88 on this one.

Walters is way past his prime, but constantly had space last night. Ditto Shultz. It wasn’t Cunningham’s finest night.

And Buddy did a mix of the sublime and the frustrating (his defensive chase effort is very sporadic!) - but overall, he had a fine game.

Our fitness seemed ok to me. Apart from Armatey, who looked to drift after half time.

And I’ll say it for Punts - Serong gets a lot of it (last night mostly courtesy of Jackson’s dominance), but is an absolute ball butcher. Lots of groaning from the Freo fans as he turned it over time after time.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

You think he'll go on?

No way.

 

[bedford]

Terrific win , Hayward big improvement , Parker , Mills were great , worried about Amarty shit himself going for a mark and virtually did nothing . Maybe bring Buller in

 

[Kiama Chris]

Watching the replay on TV, logans work ethic has been incredible. His first goal was the result of him crumbing two consecutive contests.

Fantastic stuff

Coaches won't have missed that.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Terrific win , Hayward big improvement , Parker , Mills were great , worried about Amarty s**t himself going for a mark and virtually did nothing . Maybe bring Buller in

Longmire is as sick as a dog. I wonder if Amartey is too. On the bench he was absolutely gasping for air.

 

[Superstar swan]

If this is buddy's last season, I think in years to come, he and the football public will regret not making a bit more fuss about it and having a quiet send off. I know Budd is a private guy , its a team sport and he's obviously not trying to make it all about him, but forget once in a lifetime player, there will never be another buddy franklin for as long as the game is played.

He should be celebrated every game and a guard of honour at venues like last night where he will likely never play again.

It's not selfish to say goodbye, the afl world wants to show their appreciation

 

[Jewelsbon]

Just want to say that I think the club might need to address with the players the post-win situation when in WA. Every time - without fail - most of the players don't come over to the fence or interact with the fans beyond a smile and a wave from afar.

Now it doesn't bother me at all. I've had enough mates play at the level to know some players simply aren't comfortable with fan attention and it's not ideal for them. I respect that.

But I stood near a kid calling out for Callum Mills to come over. Our skipper, who talks so much about the fans and the culture of the club. He gave a wave and couldn't have pivoted away faster. And a bunch of guys with a sign saying "Rowbottom's #1 fan" literally screaming and begging James Rowbottom to come see them, and he stood back and with a smile and a thumbs up, followed Mills back the other direction. To say nothing of the many who were likely seeing Buddy for the last time only to have him clap in their direction and then high tail it out of there.

Again, none of this bothers me, and I'm not one of the fans who feels entitled to recognition and appreciation from footballers just because they do their job. Others aren't the same and there were quite a few around me angry and disappointed.

This happens at every game in Perth, so I dunno. Not saying I know the solution but the club maybe wants to look into it as it feels like there's always a disconnect there.

I'd suggest an email to the club. As someone else mentioned, they had an open training in Sydney and Melbourne, where fans from both places have multiple chances to see the boys, can't see why they can't have had one there too.
I really think a little post game interaction with the WA fans wouldn't go astray.

 

[wilsonmatic]

If this is buddy's last season, I think in years to come, he and the football public will regret not making a bit more fuss about it and having a quiet send off. I know Budd is a private guy , its a team sport and he's obviously not trying to make it all about him, but forget once in a lifetime player, there will never be another buddy franklin for as long as the game is played.

He should be celebrated every game and a guard of honour at venues like last night where he will likely never play again.

It's not selfish to say goodbye, the afl world wants to show their appreciation

A guard of honour each game? Unnecessary and would just he weird.

 

[Superstar swan]

A guard of honour each game? Unnecessary and would just he weird.

Not each game. But each game at opposing venues. Players are getting chaired off for breaking "irish games records". Surely more can be done for a legend of the game