The Restump Podcast

[The Restump Podcast]

Blame West Coast fans for lobbying McGowan to continue the mandatory mask policy. After last week’s debacle in Geelong they still don’t want to show their faces! Its Derby week this is The Restump Podcast Derby preview episode.

There are some nerves in the West Coast camp with endless pre-match face saving excuses being made by their fans and it coincides with Fremantle shortening from $2.80 early in the week to $2.19 at the moment.

Has Yoko caused a split in the band? Only two of the “Fab Four” are up and about. Is Andy Gaff going to violently head hunt teenagers again? Will Tim Kelly been seen anywhere other than forward of the ball and how many goals will Jack Darling amass from free kicks?

Fresh off 30 plus possession games, Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw hold no fear heading into the clash against the outside running pristine clean jumper wearing West Coast midfield.

Josh Kennedy returns, Oscar Allen is flying and hey Jack Darling is down there too! Our Luke Ryan led team-oriented defence will go to work while up the other end, Lachie Schultz will put anything in blue and gold under pressure and watch the return to form of the great Sonny Walters.

Freo have lost the last ten derbies but is there that hint of “a line in the sand” feeling in the air?

The teams obviously aren’t finalised so it’s difficult to be precise, but grab a cup of coffee, sit back, click play and listen to intelligent analysis Jojo McDonnell and the Chief’s bucket of juvenile sledges.

Derby Day…. it’s the adult version of Christmas when you’re a kid!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

It was a game that wasn’t pretty, it was hard to take, difficult to deal with and not exactly one we enjoyed reviewing. And we've put on about 8kgs eating humble pie! But everyone has a burden to carry.

Even as eternal glass half full advocates, yesterday’s game had to be called for what it was. At least when McGowan locks down the state he has half a positive to show for it! Other than the fact we scored more goals than points, the negatives compounded.

The defenders were under the pump all day! Unsurprisingly the search party came back empty handed when we sent them out to find the midfielders defensive efforts. The entire team was treadmill running after half time as they wiped their collective brow with the white flag they then seemingly put up.

You did though have to be in awe of Heath Chapman who was in substantial pain and showed incredible courage to stay out there and probably the only other shining light on the very dark day was Tobe Watson’s performance. But then again, the light may have just been his flaming red hair!

What more can you say? We did the denial, got through the anger, we bargained, fought our way out of depression and maybe mid-week we’ll arrive at acceptance to complete the five stages of grief. Until then this 45 minutes of purple passionate angst may help with the Freo fan fatigue and bring closure on the devastating Docker debacle.

(warning – contains little humour, weightless excuses and no positive spin)

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

Somehow we have to find the spark and reignite the passion that Western Derbies were once famous for. The rivalry soul has to be restored or we'll lose it forever. Sunday only confirmed it.

Restore The Derby Soul

We hate to admit it but Kane Cornes was right. The rivalry has lost its bite. It has become how coaches describe it, "Just another game."

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[The Restump Podcast]

A team bonding camp is the spirit lifting tonic isn’t it? We’re in a precarious position with a daunting task ahead this weekend so we’re just looking for an effort-based response. This podcast episode we try to get our heads around the upcoming contest against the Brisbane Lions!

It’s been a nightmare trying to predict selections so we hope Thursday nights team announcements return soon.

Without selection confirmation we’re tipping Joel Western to make his debut although it will be a little disappointing for him if he is made the medical sub. That said, given our on-field injury rate, Joel will still probably play three and a half quarters!

You'd think Taylin Duman and Tobe Watson will have to shoulder Ethan Hughes and Heath Chapman’s workload. Josh Treacy has been surprisingly left in Perth and there has to be a example setting cloud over several others.

Jojo McDonnell is on the hunt for preview podcast guests, characters from opposing teams and fan bases, but we’re not sure why he thought Jonathon Brown would give us the time of day! Unsurprisingly, he didn't. Keep aiming high though, Jojo!

It seems the Chief has started an investment segment as he momentarily takes his Fremantle hat off, puts his punters hat on and says the 20% return on an 80 minute Brisbane investment is stealing money. Considering he regularly gets a meal from Father Brian’s food van for the homeless, we’re not sure anyone should be taking his words as financial advice.

We’re all still a bit flat from last weekend and its difficult to be optimistic about the challenge ahead on Sunday but…. we’re Freo fans, we’ve been here many times before, we got up off the canvas each time and we’ll get up off the canvas again.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

Well they’re not exactly ‘gone’ but the term ‘temporarily absent’ didn’t really fit the song lyric. Well all know Luke Ryan and Adam Cerra are valuable but when you don't have them for a number of weeks you really find out how valuable. That said the Lions were far too good and we’ve got plenty of work to do. We attempt to look into what needs to change but we do a lot of pointing and little solutioning in this review episode of the Restump podcast.

The forward line functioned exceptionally well, until the ball momentarily made its way in there. Things just don’t seem tip top with the great Michael ‘Sonny’ Walters as he appears a shadow of his former elite self. Rory Lobb struggle to have meaningful influence, the Schultz and Crowden combo couldn’t get amongst it and while Tabs bagged three, he just doesn’t quite look at his productive best.

Fyfe’s kicking woes have turned into an all-consuming monster. It must have, on some level, been a bit embarrassing to be a dual Brownlow medallist, near on 200 game player, 3 time club champion, 3 time all Australian and have all the boys get around you like it was your first goal when you put one through from 20 metres out directly in front. As horrendous as his kicking has been, I’d hate to think where we’d be without the great man.

The undermanned defence fought all day but the supply to the Brisbane’s forwards was relentless and precise. We gave away on average 37 more games of experience to their forward opponents. With four of our six backs at 23 years of age and the Conca Truck doing half a hammy, it was an uphill battle.

But the shining light and the positive to take out of the day is the big man in the middle. Sean Darcy is growing in strength and stature right before our eyes. He’s starting to realise his capabilities and those who weren’t previously in his corner, no doubt have come around. Clubs will be circling the big man from Geelong so we need to proactively be on the contract extension signature hunt.

The final margin of 24 points was both encouraging and a little flattering but we were heading for a blowout entering the last quarter so we’ll take the somewhat honourable four goal loss…. because really what else now can we do other than look to Essendon next week.

To summarise the week, It got off to a terrible start when we were forced to get on the road and mini-hub it. We tried to begin with an extra spare man in defence putting 19 on the field, Freddy went down five minutes later and then the goal umpire tackled Tabs without the ball. - The end.

There’s not a lot of joy at the moment but we welcome back the two soldiers we have desperately missed, Luke Ryan and Adam Cerra, in the very near future, potentially next week.

Click play and cop the 60 minutes of Freo philosophy right here but if you actually have an hour to kill…. we wouldn’t discard the prospect of doing something more productive.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

Mother's Day, families, a winery and footy. There's no greater combination that inspires community spirit. It restored our hope for humanity. Enjoy a 'lightly' embellished tale of Mother's Day.

Mother's Day And Football

Mothers Day, families, a winery and football. There's no better combination to inspire community spirit. This is a tale of our Mother's Day.

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[The Restump Podcast]

Some wish for world peace, an end to world hunger or a cancer cure. All noble gestures but we don’t want to burden the Gods.... four points and a signature will do us! It’s the Restmp Podcast preview of this Sunday’s game against the Bombers.

We haven’t beaten the Bombers in Victoria for over a decade. 2010 round 2 we were last triumphant so to see how it was done we’ve gone to our wise elders, David Mundy and Stephen Hill, who were prominent in that contest.

The Chief is confident in our chances and he’s backing the soon to be great again Michael “Sonny” Walters to return to form at the $4.50 to get 20 plus disposals. So be warned if he asks to borrow some money.

Sadly we lost Freddy last week but a signatureless Adam Cerra and Sam Switkowski look likely to be recalled. At least one further out will be required but that’ll probably all get confirmed a tick or two before the first bounce!

Jojo McDonnell weighs in on the Eagles WAFL demands, we 'respectfully' cover the Willie Rioli saga, the West Coast Eagles get caught out in another 'loose with the truth' episode and the Neighbourhood Watch makes a rare appearance.

If you have 45 minutes spare to listen to this purple oriented nonsense then it is blatantly obvious you have too much time on your hands. But we're honoured you'd throw your minutes away on us.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

Our inaccuracy again was a large reason for the loss to Essendon yesterday. Its as if the wayward kickers are continually trying to prove a point! It’s The Restump podcast review of yesterday’s painful loss to the Bombers.

To begin with the positives, we talk Sean Darcy and his rise to becoming a ruck God rock star. He’s in rare form which seems to have us saying he has played his career best game every week. Somebody put a pen in his hand and a contract extension in front of him. And when he’s done, hand the pen to Adam Cerra.

Caleb Serong’s game was off the scale impressive yesterday. Just 22 games under his belt and 20 years of age, he shut down the 150 gamer Zac Merrett’s influence. And on from that we once again got a reminder of how pivotal Adam Cerra’s signature is.

But given we were 7 points short of 4 premiership points, obviously it wasn’t all sunshine and lollypops! Rory Lobb had some questionable moments yet again, Blake Acres and Travis Colyer went missing when the game was in the balance, the Lachie Schultz and Mitch Crowden combo aren’t bringing the forward pressure required and, while we disagree on Sonny Walters’ issues, we’re in agreement that he’s still a shell of his former elite self.

If the performance-based selection model is still being utilised, the release of the teams this Thursday for the upcoming clash against the Sydney Swans should be interesting.

We try to work out the goal kicking issues but they’re as confusing as the Reece Conca medical sub decision. We don’t have a lot of joy grasping an understanding of either.

Ben Cousins makes a return to footy and it has the Chief offering to buy Josh and Matt, the Carr Bros, a new pair of boots each.

That loss to Essendon hurt yesterday because so much was on the line. But us fans will vent, we’ll grieve and we’ll embrace despair, But, then we’ll regroup, refocus, suit up and set our sights on the Swans.

We’d like to say this 40 minutes of purple anguish will help with the recovery process but the truth is, it will most probably hinder it. Hey at least you don’t have to travel as far as Richmond does to Marvel Stadium to play it.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

The anxiety and stress levels subsided upon seeing the name Luke Ryan as an in this week when the teams were released. But the sense of calm soon rapidly disappeared when Andy Brayshaw appeared in the out column. Oh c'mon..... give us a spell universe! On this episode of The Restump podcast we preview our clash against the Swannies this Saturday night.

We might be at similar developmental stages but it’s never an easy assignment against the ever-competitive Sydney side. And as we play the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide in weeks to follow, this game is pivotal and probably a season defining contest.

Alongside Luke Ryan we get to see the inclusion of the big Cyclone again. Josh Treacy has been recalled and we’re looking for him to iron out the forward line kinks and our inaccurate kicking….. and possibly a Swan or two while he has the iron out!

Jojo McDonnell is calling for a reset and momentary return to the role focused style that saw Fremantle more combative and defensive last year. That actually makes a fair bit of sense, yet we can’t say the same about the Chief, an obvious victim for punishment, who has yet again thrown some coin on Michael Walters’ possession count.

While it’s been a few very rough weeks, it’s just great to have Fremantle footy back in the state. Another game brings a fresh opportunity so we rev ourselves up, fill ourselves with a renewed sense of hope, pray to any and every God and then just embrace the nervous anticipation.

Sure, you may be tired of the inaccuracy from our players, but they’re still more productive points than the ones we make in this 40 minutes of purple nonsense!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

A win is a revolutionary cure for heart failure. Sure, getting the win may be the cause but it’s a cure none the less. It’s The Restump podcast’s review episode of the great win over the Swannies.

We don’t know if the David-Mundy-skilled-like Adam Cerra is staying or going but he just added something extra to his contract. Let’s pass the hat around because we simply cannot afford to lose him.

We talk Sonny “Midfielder Mick” Walters and while Jojo and Chief are wide apart on where they believe he’s at and where he should be at, you couldn’t deny it was the Sonny of old. Rory Lobb brought his A-game effort and when he does that good things happen.

Momentarily forgetting Fyfe’s kicking issues, he was off the scale impressive with a ridiculous 41 pressure acts and somewhat of an ironic goal! Apparently, you’re not supposed to knock anyone over in the contest and as such he was clipped for $2k by the AFL powers. (And they wonder why crowds are dropping off)

The Big Cohuna, Josh Treacy, got amongst it and dobbed his first AFL goal, a monster from a guestimated 80 metres out, which couldn’t have come at a more vital time. The super exciting Liam Henry is growing each week right before our very eyes and Sergeant Schultz returned to the right form side of the ledger.

69 inside fifties was an equal round high with the Western Bulldogs. They kicked 21 goals 18 while we managed 12 goals 14. It was 39 scoring shots to our 26 with equal inside fifties….. we still have work to do. But 16 tackles inside fifty makes any Freo footy fan smile.

Injury to Matty Tabs took some gloss off the win and we’re all holding our collective breath for Alex Pearce after some sort of ankle issue in the WAFL.

Jojo looks into the Andrew Demetriou and Dalton Gooding “boys club” and business dealings and the Chief has another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

Its funny how there is never any Mondayitis after a win! We couldn’t help it, the win inspired us to bang on for an hour so as we always say at The Restump, “Know your limits and listen responsibly.”

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

A Port Adelaide product and all-time favourite Fremantle Docker superstar, Clive Waterhouse now has an official contest named in his honour. (It is official providing there is no follow up independent research or fact checking of that claim)

On this episode of The Restump Podcast we preview this Sunday’s Fremantle and Port Adelaide clash at the Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide aren’t in as hot a form as 5th spot on the ladder suggests. However, we’re zero and 5 at the Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide so it is safe to say it’s a venue where they forever tear us apart….. given we’re not in excess of four points….! Yeah, ok let’s move on.

Andy Brayshaw returns and, especially as Matty Tabs is out, it will mean Sonny Walters has to head back up forward.

The Rory Lobb, Josh Treacy led forward line will be a different dynamic and an interesting watch to see how it pans out.

Ollie Wines is in red hot career best form and Fremantle is the only side he averages above 100 rating points against. We’re going to need a Caleb Serong special.

On top of that, Orazio Fantasia returns for Port, partnering up with Robbie Gray to terrorise us and we’re leaving the Conca Truck in Perth.

We touch on Fremantle’s rich indigenous embracing culture, the covid impact on Port Adelaide and we look back 20 years ago to that, shall we say, iconic moment when we unveiled the big screen at Subiaco oval.

We’re a day late with the preview but, look on the bright side, it gives you less time to think about listening to it. 40 minutes of Clive Waterhouse Cup claptrap right here.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

We needed to be shaken and stirred yesterday, to be woken from the slumber we were in at bounce down. While we always manage to salvage some small positive, it’s a sombre, somewhat angry and finger pointing Restump preview podcast.

Double Oh Seven first quarter! It was our worst quarter, in terms of number of points with no goals, in our entire history. Our previous worst single first quarter, oddly enough, the same game in 2006 round 3 when Port kicked 0 goals 5 points and we kicked 0 goals 6.

How does your opponent get 130 disposals to your 61 in a quarter of footy and still win the tackle count 23 to 10 while doing so?

The experienced players were where the disappointment began and while it may be an overreactive and emotively charged call, the Chief has Acres heading to an alternative pasture next year and has a plate of Lobster on the table, the trade table.

Goal kicking was a disaster yet again but that isn’t the major story. The 'pressures-less' first quarter is an all too familiar movie and the momentary comeback wallpapered over the cracks.

Brennan Cox had several nightmarish moments and was caught stargazing on one occasion! C’mon Coxy….. you’re near on 2 metres tall weighing 100 kegs… you can’t be trying to out-nimble Orazio!

However, you can bang on all you like about Fyfey’s wayward kicking but God knows what yesterday would have looked like without him. Take his lopsided scores out of the picture and he’s going as good as, if not better than anyone in the league. He just needs a few helpers to follow his lead. “Animalistic” was the highly appropriate term Jojo attributed to his contested work.

The big man Sean Darcy worked into the game after being bamboozled by Dixon starting in the ruck, Cerra was Cerra-like and its always nice to have Andy Brayshaw back.

Jojo McDonnell, with first hand knowledge, paints an insightful picture regarding Liam Henry, which should genuinely have Fremantle fans pleased with where he is at and super excited about where he is going.

It was a tough game to watch and a demoralising result to accept, but we're not strangers to adversity. Fremantle fans eat despair for breakfast! We’ll once again pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and look to next week where we will suit up to take on…… oh for Christ’s sake the Dogs? Really!

From the depths we rise once again as we Never Say Never. So lend us your ears as we try to make sense of the momentary mess and join us as we finish off giving yesterday the Goldfinger. At the very least we'll make your journey to work seem shorter.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

The struggle to get this episode of the Restump Podcast completed has been extraordinarily real. Numerous ‘technical’ issues, a race against mobile battery time and a long afternoon lunch that ended at about 11pm all conspired against us. (the culprit's initials are Jojo McDonnell) However, we pushed through and now the preview of Sunday’s clash against the red-hot Western Bulldogs is, albeit let's say a day "fashionably" late.

Before Sunday’s contest though we have the Dreamtime game Saturday evening and what a magnificent spectacle it promises to be. Massively supported by us West Aussies, with tickets disappearing quicker than Michael Braun in late 2008.

On Sunday the super slick Sonny Walters, Liam Henry and Nathan Wilson lead the indigenous charge against the Bulldogs and they’ll masterfully represent their culture, their people and the Fremantle football club and, as always, they’ll leave Freo fans proud.

It will have to be all hands-on deck for four quarters by the entire team if we’re to be any hope of pinching what seems an unlikely win. Combatting the Bullies’ classy and highly productive midfield is an unenviable assignment.

If their mids aren’t scary enough, then probably don’t let your eyes wander down to their forward line because you’ll see current Coleman medal 3rd placed holder Josh Bruce and 7th placed, incredibly mobile and accomplished aerialist Aaron Naughton occupying plenty of forward 50 real estate.

While we lose Switkowski and Tobe, our bookends are back! Griff and Tabs return to add some much-needed size and stature at either ends of the ground. Throw in full 4 quarters of Lobb effort and a Cyclone you don’t want to stand in front of and suddenly there seems some hope!

Freo fans obviously harbour hopes for a victory, but we simply need to see an enhanced effort based, predominantly defensive focused approach from all 22 players and potentially the medical sub. It’s also imperative we’re ready to go as soon as the initial siren sounds and not 20 minutes later. This nodding off ‘slow out of the blocks’ strategy has got knobs on it!

Jojo McDonnell returns from his North West holiday in a day or two so we can expect better performances from the Restump team in podcasts to come. Leaving the Chief with responsibility has proven a failed experiment.

However, don’t let that stop you getting this purple nonsense in your ears on your way to the game Sunday while you’re sitting on the bus or the train. Having said that said, I wouldn’t undersell the noise of public transport as a comparable and possible preferred option!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

Well we're demoralised and distraught but… the weather forecast is in our favour. It’s The Restump Podcast review of yesterday’s highs and lows in the clash and carnage against the Western Bulldogs.

From our perspective, we’re talking the positives. While we have a fair way to go, we were running the Bulldogs to the wire. Obviously the horror soul destroying 90 seconds of injury carnage stopped us in our tracks and….. striking blokes in the Cody ‘Weightmans’ doesn’t help the cause!

Yes sure, we might have been a bit fortunate as the Dogs kicked at goals like they were challenging us for the inaccuracy record, but we made the most of it. We brought the effort and that held us in pretty good stead.

The great Sean Darcy is taking the ruck by storm, Liam Henry's lightning flashes are increasing and, topping off the weather report, we saw the arrival of the Cyclone!

And what was that foreign straight as a dye drop punt kicking style Josh Treacy was displaying? We got a taste of what the Cyclone will be delivering over the next decade in purple and there isn’t a Freo fan alive that isn’t going back numerous times and getting a plate load from that buffet.

You just had to be in awe of Fyfe’s 3rd quarter, we need a bunch of players to take a leaf out of Caleb Serong’s angry niggle and competitive spirit book and Andy Brayshaw may never kick a better goal.

There are plenty of negatives but the negatives, while important, have been done to death and we all know what they are. Some are a continual work-in-progress and others can only be rectified by modern medicine and surgical procedures.

Our season may well be deep in the mulligatawny but we’re focusing on the positives and realising that through adversity comes opportunity. The young Freo brigade get the opportunity to taste league action and we all get the opportunity to see how they go. There is nothing like the debut of draftees to reignite supporter enthusiasm.

Speaking of medicinal practises, bang this hour of purple palaver in your ears and you’ll never need a sleeping pill again! We probably should caution about listening while driving.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

We’re the Western Wounded Walkers but nothing renews enthusiasm like a couple of draftee debuts. It’s the Restump preview podcast of Saturday’s Gold Coast clash.

The only people missing from the interchange scene last Sunday was Hawkeye Pierce and BJ Hunnicut. It wasn’t pretty as makeshift medical station real estate was at a premium.

A host of changes for this Saturday sees the great Alex Pearce gets another run at it and all Fremantle fan’s fingers are crossed. The Conca Truck finally returns after a confusing stint in the WAFL, the forgotten man Bewley has since been remembered with a call up and the double double-U debutants Western and Walker get their first taste.

We’ve won 7 of 11 games against the Sunny Gold Coast crew and 3 of 4 contests in WA but this will be one of the tougher challenges. However, they may be the Gold Coast Suns but we’ve got our own Son, of the Walters variety.

The Cerra chatter is getting a bit overdone, Luke Ryan somehow thinks we can still make the finals, we look at the rebuild ladder and the prospect of Ross Lyon coaching the Pies would really help us out at the Restump.

The Chief has sounded the alarm and put Alex Sexton on the must watch list while Jojo McDonnell is giving away a couple of tickers to Sunday’s game in the most ridiculous of manners.

We might be a bit under the pump but where there is football life there is football hope. Its time to reignite the enthusiasm, trust the process and enjoy whatever the now brings.

There’s forty plus minutes of Docker declamation right here. Sure, you’re little to no chance of being smarter for listening but can you afford to take that risk? Click play anyway and get ready for the Gold Coast roast.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

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[The Restump Podcast]

Every time you looked at Jimmy Aish he had a football in his hands. He amassed a career high 31 disposals and it was as if he brought a boat load of his own footballs. On this episode of The Restump Podcast we talk everything Freo and Freo victory related in this review of the Fremantle V Gold Coast clash from Saturday evening.

We don’t want to be too negative but if you didn’t scratch both of your eyes out to save yourself watching that first half, you have supreme willpower. However, it was the transition to some quality ball use on the run home that brought us all to life….. and allowed a few of us to watch, but sadly most of us to only listen!

It was a beautiful gesture by the Gold Coast Suns to show some compassion for our injury side-lined absentees. In the spirit of great sportsmanship, they kicked a Nat Fyfe-like 1 goal 8 points first half.

Jimmy Aish has to receive best on ground honours, a tailor has taken Sean Darcy’s jacket measurements for a particular end of season prestigious event and we’re all feeling like the cat that got the cream knowing we collected Josh Treacy from the rookie draft.

There was collective sigh of relief post-match knowing Alex Pearce got through the game unscathed and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he was interviewed later….. well of the eyes that weren’t scratched out early on, at least.

Taylin Duman played arguably his career best game, the Conca Truck didn’t go to Sexton as we thought but he did a number on the dangerous Izak Rankine and Brett Bewley put in a more than serviceable performance after a long time out of the side.

Jojo questions Tim Gossage and his troll patrol baiting Fremantle supporters and the Chief doesn’t like the Footy Rhino swindling the term “Dockery” from our fellow podcasting colleagues, Duck and Oz of the Purple Reign fame, and claiming it as his own.

The Shai Bolton chatter is growing, the Chief rolls out another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch and Jojo has a topical Closing Quandary.

It wasn’t overly pretty but there is nothing like a victory and 4 points to dull that first half ugliness.

We’re all up and about with a pep in our step and a glide in our stride as we strut into the midseason bye for a well-earned rest. And that’s where we come in, click play on this overly celebrated 50 plus minute purple prized party and be assured you’ll get plenty of rest…. we’ll put you straight to sleep!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

As ridiculous as it sounds and as hard as it is to believe, if we were to be in possession of a fully fit and available list, who are our current best twenty two Fremantle Dockers and who are our future twenty two best that will next take us deep into the finals? It’s The Restump’s twist on the mid-season review.

Injuries can be both helpful and a hindrance. Sure, you lose quality and members of your perceived best twenty-two but you can also inadvertently discover assets sooner than you may otherwise have done.

While it is arguably the silver lining, injuries, to some degree, can be of benefit and assist a club’s long-term plans and decision making, enabling more in depth knowledgeable list management.

So with a season riddled with substantial and sustained injury to talent across the board providing opportunity for those who need it, we’re largely armed with some level of exposed form to make educated, a term we use very loosely, assessments of each player on our list.

Will Fyfey be around to lead the charge as part of the best 22 and can David Mundy do a Dustin Fletcher or a Michael Tuck? Will Michael Walters be in the middle, up forward or in the coaching ranks for our next tilt at a premiership? Are the A-Bros, James and Blake, in our current best 22 and, if so, will they hold those positions in the future? Is there upside in the Darcy Tucker box? Nathan Wilson or Wontson and what about Tobe Watson? Do we Lobb Rory another contract and is Taylin Duman to take us forward? We need to close the window on the clichéd play on word ridiculousness, but you get the point.

We’re throwing our opinionated hats in the current and future talent rating ring to try and paint a picture of our list going forward. We agree on many, disagree on some and down right argue the stupidity of our opinions on others.

So if there isn’t a sound on the planet you haven’t heard numerous times and you’re after something to block out the silence, then, providing clicking a pen repetitively doesn’t provide the peaceful cancelling noise you're after, feel free to hit play and listen to this 60 minutes of purple preposterousness.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

We’re sailing into Victoria to pillage 4 points from the Pies, akin to taking talented players from people like the Ned Guys. It’s The Restump’s preview podcast of Saturday’s clash against the Maggies.

We talk contract squiggles. The Dockers are the envy of petition pushers around the globe as no one has attracted more signatures than us this week! Everyone wants in at Freo, Treacy, Switkowski, Darcy all scribbled on the dotted line and Mundy has been given the green light to add his name. There’s a frenzied fear of missing out at Fremantle and we just hope Adam Cerra will fall to infection.

The big poetic ins for Saturday - "Griff and Tabs back at either ends will once again pay dividends while the forward line sees off Crowden the hard hitter and welcomes back Switta the committer. Fyfey will start straight back in the guts and Nathan Wilson returns after belting Weightman in the nuts!

After losing a president, a coach, Phillips, Stephenson and Treloar, for Saturday's clash the Pies have now lost DeGoey and Darcy Moore. But they regain Brody Grundy, Taylor Adams and Mason the Yank.... but if we're sticking with the pirate theme the latter should have been made walk the plank. "

A bit like the man they call Swaggy O, we’re all looking forward to the Sean Darcy V Brody Grundy battle. It’ll be a scalp or a learning experience for the now further contracted Darcy.

Surprisingly we’re 3 wins and 1 loss against Collingwood at the stadium with the roof. Saturday we’re at that same stadium with the roof but without a roof as it will remain open….. because you know.... covid! Couldn’t the roof be Marvel Stadium’s mask?

Jojo rightly cops critical feedback for literally creating a crab logo for The Restump’s twitter page and the Chief is arking up his “Get Ryan Crowley On The Pod” campaign. He's really just prolonging the inevitable failure.

Understandably many people don’t like Goodbyes…. but we simply just hate byes! After a Freo footy free weekend we can’t wait to get back into it this Saturday and…… catch the 11.45am morning clash…. while we’re eating our cornflakes!

You have to get through Friday first though and we’re here to make it as smooth a journey as possible. Avoiding this 60 minutes of Docker dribble can only help your cause. If you don’t heed our warning and you risk listening, we’d suggest double masking your ears. God knows what you’ll catch!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

We might have been Fyfeless but we were far from lifeless and we’ve now made it 4 wins from 5 games against the Magpies at Marvel Stadium. There's plenty to cover in The Restump Podcast review of Saturday’s thrilling win.

Did we just get a beneficial case of 3 birds 1 stone? Losses to the Swans, Eagles and Magpies have left the September door ajar for us to sneak a purple foot in. We’re still longshots to snare a finals berth but we’re closer than we were last week.

In this episode we talk the impressive performance, the team-oriented flavour to the victory as individuals fulfilled their team beneficial roles. There was a little bit more of a focused defensive mindset than in recent weeks but coach JL nailed the offensive / defensive ratio balance.

Speaking of a combined defensive offensive mindset, Josh Treacy put the fear of God into the Pies backline. His work off the ball, including a massive 20 pressure acts, was an influential a game as anyone out there turned in. Still can’t believe we got this guy on the rookie list!

Trav Colyer played one his best games in purple, Jimmy Aish continued his super form and Blake Acres found throwing his ample size around makes life easier for him and his teammates.

Take a sample of Switkowski’s work and then picture another 25 games and a preseason or two added to it….. his was a good signing during the week.

Lachie Schultz got well amongst it, Tabs tapped out allowing Crowden into the game with some medical candy to sell and Lobb got reward for effort returning to his marking best.

Mundy was Mundy-like and, in the absence of Fyfey, its safe to say the future captaincy is in highly competent, influential and extremely hard working Andy Brayshaw hands.

Jojo McDonnell misfired with his $26 bagpipes gag and the Chief brings us home with another longwinded but important relations building Neighbourhood Watch segment.

All that and plenty more purple pollutive nonsense no one asked to hear. As masks at the moment are apparently mandatory in certain situations, we advise wearing one over each ear to keep you safe from potential listening.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

It appears we’re at the MCG Saturday evening, but, to be honest, we wouldn’t bet on it even with stolen money! It's The Restump preview podcast of our vital clash against the Blues.

The contest this weekend just became a little bit more important. With Gold Coast doing us a favour taking down the Tigers, that top eight door just edged open a fraction wider for us. We can’t all fit through just yet but maybe Taylin Duman, if he turns side on, might sneak through and ensure it doesn't close.

So with results falling our way, it’s now up to our purple people on the MCG paddock to take advantage of it.

Round 3 earlier this year the Blues picked off a couple of youngsters and the Freo faithful hasn’t forgotten. Let’s hope the team hasn’t either and its put to positive motivational use. With Captain Fyfe back in the team Cripps will have to pick on someone his own size on Saturday.

Carlton's Zac Williams out on suspension is a big plus for us and their general down back, Sam Docherty, is apparently injured…. although grapevine chatter suggests he said, “To hell with that, I’m not standing in front of the Cyclone.”

The supremely talented and influential youngster Sam Walsh should have a date with fellow youngster Caleb Serong and his quality negating skills and someone needs to keep an eye on Ed Curnow, who routinely is seen with the ball in hand against us.

You may have kicked 7 goals last time around Harry McKay but have you met Mr Pearce? Griff and DJ Luke will control the remaining big guys while Sonny Walters will regain his magic and put Adam Saad in the shade.

And after two super performances, Ferris Bewley has set tongues wagging...... but hopefully he doesn’t get any wagging ideas. Ferris Bewley’s day off is Sunday!

It was Tassie, then Geelong and we’ve ended up at the MCG. All the ducks are lining up and there’s an anticipatory buzz in the air. The Blues are ripe for the picking and we just cannot afford to let this game slip.

What better way to knock off 45 minutes on your lock down Friday by listening to a good purple podcast? If you can’t find a good one, click play and listen to this one instead.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

Is inaccuracy infectious? Talk about suffering the Blues in more ways than one! In the depths of despair we’ll attempt to therapeutically heal our souls by dissecting the devastating loss to Carlton in the Restump review podcast.

Some losses hurt and some demoralise. Considering what was at stake and given the opportunity that had been presented to us over the previous seven days, this result was of the latter.

Missed tackles and inaccuracy combined to pull the top eight placed prized rug from under our unproductive horrendously inaccurate kicking boots. In fact, that’s being a little too generous. The rug wasn’t pulled from under us, we tripped on it and fell arse backwards into bottom eight purgatory!

We proved up the philosophy 'time and tide wait for no man' as we once again set about the contest 10 minutes into the first quarter. How we continue to roll out these lethargic starts is as difficult a question for coach JL to answer as it is us to ponder. They have plagued us in a similar manner to the inaccurate goal kicking all year.

Without a doubt Fyfe was underdone and, to their credit, Carlton players deliberately went after him. While still highly productive, understandably, he wasn’t as Fyfe-like as he usually is. Was the risk playing him worth it? We have mixed emotions.

Andy Brayshaw showed again why he is the future leader of this club. Hail rain or shine he shows up and produces. With a hamstrung Fyfe, David Mundy

16

David Mundy

Age

39

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.1

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

11.8

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.3

5star

CL

5.1

5star

D

15.7

4star

K

6.7

3star

HB

9.0

4star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.7

4star

CL

3.7

5star

D

27.8

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

12.4

5star

M

5.8

5star

T

6.2

5star

CL

7.2

5star

stepped up and delivered a Fyfe type third quarter to deliver us what should have been a victory.

Is Luke Ryan our most important player? Jojo thinks so. But the Chief wants to see a return of his entertaining and efficient mark guarding antics.

The Fyfe’s, Mundy’s Brayshaws, Ryans and Pearce types unconditionally find a way and epitomise the 'anytime anywhere' mentality but it’s the second-tier players sporadic positive performances that potentially distort the reality. The inability to be consistently productive must raise questions at seasons’ end.

How do you smash a team in the inside 50s, the hit outs, the clearances, win the contested possession, generate more scoring shots and lose the game? How do you possibly have 13 inside 50s in the final quarter and kick the solitary point?

Is our season now over? While we remain mathematically a chance, us fans will never let the candle of hope’s flame die out.

Aside from the game, Jojo McDonnell breaks some interesting comments regarding a former Fremantle favourite. If he is to be believed, and keep in mind Jojo doesn’t deal in hyperbole, indulge in guess work or harness hypotheticals, the great Chris Mayne is set to re-join the Dockers on a one year playing contract before retiring and entering the coaching ranks. While the Chief doesn’t know anything he is prepared to say that if jojo said it, we can ‘take it to the bank.’

So if you’re just soul searching, trying to work through the grief of Saturday night, join us as part of a Freo fan 60 minute group therapy session. But be warned, we’re far from trained professionals, we’re not science backed and we could well be the equivalent of an adverse reaction to the therapeutic vaccine. Do your own research, its obvious the risks aren’t worth the listening, but we’re all Freo folk, we live on the edge.

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

199 bone jarring, bruising, combative games - the life of Fyfe! We’ve also got a vital game to win so we celebrate Fyfey’s 200th and preview Saturday’s Hawks clash in North Antarctica on this episode of the Restump podcast.

There is little you can add to the Fyfe conversation that hasn’t already been delivered numerous times this week and there are no unused superlatives. Quite simply, all us Freo fans are eternally grateful he wears the purple and we’re all in on him, the full package, wayward kicking boots and all.

While the Fyfe show rolls on, we have to take care of the Hawks to keep our nanoscopic finals chances alive. Certainly a tough ask when you’re previously zip and 10 against your opponent in Tasmania.

Luke Bruest is hoping the Conca Truck won’t be a late in off the emergency list but someone who is in, is Bailey Banfield

41

Bailey Banfield

Age

26

Ht

190cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.6

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

6.5

4star

M

2.9

3star

T

3.9

5star

G

0.3

3star

D

9.5

2star

K

5.3

2star

HB

4.3

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

2.8

4star

G

0.5

4star

D

14.4

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.2

3star

returning after almost 12 months out of the side. Out of contract at years' end, he’ll need to make every post a winner.

Last week against the Blues was gut wrenching. We destroyed a top 8 opportunity and now the door is only just slightly ajar. Currently in 10th we’re now half a game and 5% behind the Giants in 8th, a game and 3% behind 9th placed West Coast and 8% short of Richmond in 9th. All that adds up to a must win this weekend.

We beat the Hawks in an elimination final in 2010 but then they broke our hearts in the 2013 grand final before backing up two years later to knock us out in the 2015 preliminary final. That was the last time we tasted finals so it’s fair to say we owe them.

Heading down to the seemingly often wet, always windy apple isle to play a game that starts Saturday morning in the West, obviously isn’t high on the fans’ wish list, or at least Jojo’s wish list, based on his lack of enthusiasm and lethargic performance in this episode of the podcast!

Anyway there’s 40 minutes of listening to Freo fanfare for those that wish to attempt it. Listening to the Restump is a bit like taking on the gigantic Parmi in the Pub challenge, everyone tries it, very view get through it but no one goes around a second time!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

Before we start…. Thanks North Melbourne!

Now that the formalities are over.... In this Restump Podcast episode we review Freo’s dismantling of the Hawks as we watched on with a bowl of cornflakes in another AM starting game for us fans!

It wasn’t the prettiest of contests but even the ugly games need some love and what wasn’t to love about our duck breaking victory against the Hawks in the Apple Isle? God’s country indeed!

Fyfe turned it on in his 200th and Caleb Serong

3

Caleb Serong

Age

23

Ht

180cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

4star

D

13.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

3star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

4star

CL

2.6

4star

D

13.0

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.0

4star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.6

5star

CL

2.6

5star

showed he is a contested ball winning machine years ahead of his time. However, they were both upstaged by the giant killing ruckman, Sean “Swaggy O” Darcy. We checked Champion Data and its official…. Darcy is now a juggernaut.

We have to be honest and realise the Hawks are a shell of their former selves, but you can only destroy who you’re up against. Darcy, Mundy, Fyfe, Serong, Brayshaw and Cerra destroyed who they were up against.

Rory Lobb

7

Rory Lobb

Age

31

Ht

207cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.9

4star

D

11.3

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.6

3star

exploited his height and weight advantage over Kyle Hartigan

28

Kyle Hartigan

Age

33

Ht

194cm

Wt

101kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.3

3star

MG

111.0

2star

D

9.3

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.3

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.3

2star

MG

111.0

2star

D

18.2

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

8.6

5star

M

7.4

5star

T

0.6

3star

and kicked a career equaling high 4 goals while the forgotten man Bailey “Cerra To Some” Banfield kicked 3 of his own in his return. Sammy Swithowski showed how valuable he’s going to be with his 14 touches and 2 goals and he’s also doing his team oriented best work supporting Sonny Walters by dishing a further goal off to him.

The man with an array of cyclonic or meteorologist nicknames, Josh Treacy, or Sean Treacy according to Gerard Healy, was close to having a day out. He booted 2 but if it weren’t for a coat of paint, he would have landed 3 and possibly 4. And that’s not mentioning his 6 bone crushing tackles.

While we haven’t emphatically forced our way into the top eight, the universe has delivered a host of ridiculously amazing results presenting us with the most unlikely of opportunities. It’s now up to us to take it.

So, with our fate once again in our own hands, we now look towards the Thursday night big stage because the rest of our season starts then.

Until Thursday, if you’re looking for something too drown out the noise of the rain, click play and listen to this 50 plus minutes of purple storm after you’ve listened to the “Join in the chorus” North Melbourne theme song a boat load of times!

Podcast | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

We have to be honest and realistic, we're currently in the top eight through little fault of our own. Other than the Sydney Swans and Adelaide, who were momentarily in the top eight, our Freo wins have been secured over teams outside the finals contention positions. The universe has definitely had a hand in our season but maybe it balances out for the home games we have had to play interstate.

Whatever the case, our season is unbelievably still well and truly alive. In this article The Restump takes a look at what has bizarrely unfolded over the last 3 rounds for us Dockers, which somehow sees us occupying 7th position. Our fate is now in our own hands.

Divine Intervention Contention

The universe is either siding with us Freo Dockers or she's playing one long cruel prank on us. Either way, it's now up to us.

www.therestump.com

 

[The Restump Podcast]

It's a bit harsh seemingly singling out Blake Acres

13

Blake Acres

Age

29

Ht

193cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.9

4star

D

12.7

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

7.7

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.0

3star

D

8.2

2star

K

3.8

2star

HB

4.4

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

2.4

4star

CL

1.8

4star

because he definitely wasn't on his own last night. But the early sign just didn't set the required tone for the group to follow.

Post | T H E Restump P O D

www.therestump.com