What do you want to see in 2025 preseason games ???

[88mph]

1. Getting the jump on the opposition in the first quarter.
2. Conversion on forward 50 entries.
3. Impoved kicking accuracy on goals.

 

[Boomer93]

3 rucks is madness

 

[Quazar2]

I find it extremely hard to take much out of pre season games other than -

• praying for no injuries
• the excitement that footy’s back and the dawn of the season is near

Other than that, I’ve noticed very little correlation between wins/losses/performance in the pre season vs the actual season.

Even moments in pre season games where it looks like we’ve unlocked a brand new weapon or that things have finally clicked - seem to have no bearing come round 1. See - Nat Fyfe as a dominant power forward, Bailey Banfield as a future Brownlow medalist etc

I always remember Freo won all 3 games in 2016, then went to turd for about the first 10 matches before we won, winning only 4 all year. Also flogged West Coast in 2018 - many of their fans were upset about it, then rejoiced watching them win a frickin' flag at the end of the 'real stuff'!

So yep, no injuries; a look at maybe Bruce and a few others and some continued development for players not 100% cemented in a best "23", like Sturt etc. The results are utterly meaningless

 

[Quay Club]

I want to see them bring back AFLX.

What a clown show that abomination was.

 

[Purple Jesus]

F50 connection
D50 connection
Improved skills
Less fumbles/silly mistakes

 

[go_the_dockers]

See Reid play well, and use his skills

ODriscoll run and carry the ball.
Treacy fit
Amiss push through contact.
I would like to see our small forwards kick goals. Frederick, Switta and who ever else plays in forward line needs to hit the scoreboard.

 

[Purpletown]

I would like to see some of our new players develop to the point where they show they are a realistic chance to become AFL standard players.

It would also be great if some of our fringe players improve enough to push for a place in the team.

Any pressure put on the likes of Banfield, Fyfe, Walters,JOM and Aish etc. for a place in the starting line up would be a welcome thing for 2025 and beyond.

 

[Dump Truck]

What a clown show that abomination was.

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I once tried to explain it to an Irish bloke at work. He legitimately thought I was taking the piss until I showed him clips

Genuinely horrible idea by the AFL brains trust.

 

[heavho]

Hopefully see a bit of narkle up forward with Bolton and see if they gel as smalls.

 

[jusjoshin]

Zero injuries. That is all I want out of preseason games.

 

[pK75]

I am looking forward to a bruise free all stars game where both teams look fantastic transitioning the ball the entire length of ground and kicking 20+ goals each!

 

[Joao]

I am looking forward to a bruise free all stars game where both teams look fantastic transitioning the ball the entire length of ground and kicking 20+ goals each!

That, but Banners to go 100% and lay 15 tackles and kick 5.

 

[Ysaye]

Nothing, they're meaningless.

Just hope to get through unscathed.

Yes came into the thread to say the same.

 

[theGav56]

I just want to watch Frederick and Walker running each other down over and over again.

 

[DocT]

Yes came into the thread to say the same.

I think we went past the 'meaningless' comment. The result is meaningless. But there is still lots to see. Especially how young blokes are tracking, how a game plan is shaping up, how are new recruits fitting in, are new draftees going to get a shot? etc

 

[eastfreo75]

3 rucks doesn’t work. It didn’t work with Sandi, Griffin and Clarke.

Reidy wasn’t great at AFL level, but maybe he would’ve been alright if we played him that Geelong game.

We did win a game once by a bees dick with Sandi on one leg, a young Darcy & committed Lobb but we don’t need to see it again unless it means they are the only 22 fit players we have.

The year we played off in the grandfinal, Sandliands was out for a lot of games. Hannath, and Griffin played a role of pulling up a hole.

Reidy needs to do the same thing.

I'm ok with playing three rucks in the pre-season to give Reidy more experience.

 

[Number29]

Would be good to see the following:

• Jackson holding more marks
• Sturt to keep improving as the medium forward
• OD and Sharp to kill it on the wings
• Bolton to fit into the team like a glove
• Reid to show why he should have been drafted earlier

 

[freoextra]

Would be good to see the following:

• Jackson holding more marks
• Sturt to keep improving as the medium forward
• OD and Sharp to kill it on the wings
• Bolton to fit into the team like a glove
• Reid to show why he should have been drafted earlier

And Simpson to show he is a best 23 player. I think speed and elite skills are essential for Freo’s progression and he has them in spades just needs to find his feet and get more of the ball.

I see Simpson as very important to keep our other small forwards performing and replaced when out of form, instead of being guaranteed their position despite form.

 

[GingerDocker]

Not much mention of mindset in here.

As our players mature and our leaders become more experienced, the mindset of the squad needs to go from being a developing team with potential, to ruthless killers who demand results and expect to win matches.

The players need to have that unshakeable belief that they are a top four performer who wants to desperately show their wares on the last weekend in September and will stop at nothing to achieve that.

Anything else is failure.

 

[Quazar2]

I think we went past the 'meaningless' comment. The result is meaningless. But there is still lots to see. Especially how young blokes are tracking, how a game plan is shaping up, how are new recruits fitting in, are new draftees going to get a shot? etc

To be fair, we get only 1 real 'pre-season' hit out. It's not much to gauge anything, but as others have said - NO injuries, at all....please Footy Gods. An All Stars game where some of the club's own players will be playing for the Indigenous team, an official pre-season match against the Dees and then what, a scratchie against the Toast?! Some recent pre-season games, we've looked really good - especially some against the Toast at Mineral Park, that one with Meek in the ruck and Fyfe doing some wicked things was good! I think into 2021 or 2022..?!?! Then the real stuff gets going, and things can....change.

I prefer the old Nab Cup format of 3 pre-season games with a 9-point "Super Goal". At least then 3 games worth of continuity for players pushing their case can be somewhat analysed. It's weird to think Bennell started off his Freo "career" playing one of them in 2016, against Geelong (probably on limited minutes, but still...).

 

[Shoeless Joe]

Lets not have Luke Ryan kicking out every time
Lets mix it up
Give Walker a bit more license to take the game on...not many guys other than Freddy can catch him

 

[JunglistPosse]

No injuries as a basic
Dominant 4th quarters
Back line ball movement

 

[Eski3]

Keen to get a look at Isaiah Dudley. SSP deadline is 21 Feb so I assume he'll get a shot in the Indigenous All Stars game

 

[nurries]

I once tried to explain it to an Irish bloke at work. He legitimately thought I was taking the piss until I showed him clips

Genuinely horrible idea by the AFL brains trust.

It was literally designed to compete with BBL but was a complete dumpster fire

 

[ignoramus]

Don't understand why everyone is so keen for our injuries to happen during the main season rather than in the preseason games.