In February, a few days after they were defeated by a district-wide team in February, Fremantel's president addressed the believers in the Perth Crown. "This morning's event is not just another regular AFL season launch," said Chris Sutherland. "I think we're ready to chase that cup. We absolutely feel the foundation is justified, and we certainly think we've almost all the pieces ready. May the season be full of courage, connection and success. My speech is short because I've actually finished the conversation. It's time. It's time to take action."
The speech was short, but the message was clear-we were ready, without more excuses, no more lim for losers. It responds to the ideas of CEOs, coaches, players and broader commentators. They believe they have the right coach, the right roster, the right age profile and the right recruits.
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However, the night entertainment with Ross Lyon doesn’t have much ability to show you where you are. The saints of Lyon themselves have no world companion and suffocated Fremantle's main porter last Friday - the will of all neutral observers. It's as bad as the club's performance over the years.
Watching them jogging, wandering around, dragging and begging for the question - is there too much expectation for this team? Have they been overrated? Have they overestimated their talents?
Bad luck, poor hosts, too much harm, last shutdown for Essendon, nails against Carlton and the insult to abandon the derby last year. But they were revealed in August, down from the third to tenth place. Most of them are an immature team. It was a 10-minute turnover, there was a sloppy kick. In the end, they shouldn't have done this at all.
However, the idea remains that Fremantle has some sort of dream list and wasted bad coaching, clumsy ball sports and lack of effort. I've always heard that Luke Beveridge or John Longmire could walk into the club and quickly ship it into a construct.
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But I just don't think they're ready. Yes, they look good on paper. But since the early 2000s, it looks good on paper since you picked up the newspaper and scan the followers and target lines. That is no longer what makes the team successful. The edge of the dock side still has many flaws. They have too many poor ball users in the back row, and the space-conscious defenders can easily panic when the team presses. They have too many young, nervous, striped players who are still finding their feet. They have too many players who seem to be satisfied with being an AFL footballer, with the occasional home win swimming around Perth. And, when things get tough, especially when they are playing on the other side of the country, they are ready to go in order.
On Thursday, they encountered a cracked Collingwood side, and the team traveled well. The pies will rest for five days and will be bruised and beaten after being bowled by Patrick Dangerfield for half an hour. They will also leave some of the best players in Melbourne’s barn. In some ways, Collingwood has challenged - we are in your home, we are leaving a quarter of the house, but we still have Nick Daicos and we still think you are flaky.
Collingwood believes he has a live opportunity in any game he plays, regardless of the score. But no team has moved on from the loss so quickly and convincingly. They continued to move from Geelong’s game, while Jack Crisp’s kick was still in the air.
Fremantle tends to be the opposite. Often, when the game is about to win, they tenderly acquiesce. Then, they shrugged and cut everywhere. The club's president said he had finished the conversation. The CEO said the coach is doing a great job. Fans support the sugar at home for two weeks. The rest of us see a cautious, easy to reconnaissance and not yet fully trustworthy team, a team that is flattered and burdened by lofty expectations.
The Giants were forced to compete in two games at their home in Engie Stadium due to the Sydney Royal Easter show. They still have six home games in Sydney and have held six home games this season in Canberra.
Malcolm Knox and anyone said. “If you can have a football player combine the best attributes of Gary Ablett SNR and JNR, then it looks like my old uncle engineer, then you list Kevin Bartlett as his peak.”
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Bartlett's record is stunning, perhaps underrated - Five Flags, Five Club Champions Awards, the desperate champion in the Brownlow Order, the first player to compete in 400 games, AFL Hall of Fame legend, and even the Moomba King. In 2008, Mike Sheahan ranked him the ninth best footballer in his game history, and he could easily be higher.
The Bulldogs coach refused to shoot at Jibe, his former player, because playing for the Cats on MCG is "beautiful" compared to his game in Ballarat.
"It would be fun if everyone kept catching him after the game," Beveridge added. "I'm not sure if Geelong will like this week, but it's just how he rolls."
"It's absolutely a shame to treat Clayton's treatment and conversation. 'Football reporter' has no integrity. Growing up and leaving the kids alone. They want to know why there's a personal struggle and having to take a week off."
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Melbourne President Brad Green announced on X media that Clayton Oliver will seek to relocate the club in the same week as the season ended, and he missed a match while the club "prioritizes his well-being".
How many final showdown rivals Adelaide and Port Adelaide are fighting each other?
Answers in next week's newsletter, but if you think you know, click on the reply and let me know.
Last week's answer: Which player has won the best place award in the Sydney Derby? Luke Parker has five.
Congratulations to Tania Jayesuria, who is the first to answer with the correct answer.
Brisbane entered the QClash on the Gold Coast with a retro theme and quickly proved that over time, the Queensland hierarchy changed little.
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Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli apologizes for threatening private messages sent to Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale.
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