Fremantle’s future looks as promising as anyone
It does not seem that long ago that Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was on the hot seat after his side slumped to 14th last season.
Jye Amiss od the Dockers.Credit: Getty
That feels like a lifetime ago now, with Fremantle thumping supposed premiership contenders Melbourne by 92 points in Alice Springs on Sunday to vault them into sixth spot at the halfway point.
The Dockers’ list is in fine fettle, from young gun on-ballers Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young to ruck unicorn Luke Jackson and key forwards Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy.
That is without mentioning a defence headlined by captain Alex Pearce and Luke Ryan, and with the fast-developing Heath Chapman coming on strong.
A new contender for AFL’s most underrated?
Sam Switkowski is highly valued at Fremantle and is somewhat of a Champion Data darling, but probably does not have the profile he deserves.
There are flashier names on the Dockers’ list but arguably no one was more important in them putting Melbourne to the sword than Switkowski, who had to force his way into the AFL via the VFL.
The 27-year-old finished with 25 disposals, eight marks, six inside 50s, five clearances, one goal, and 10 score involvements in an outstanding display.
The ‘most underrated’ tag gets shared around on a weekly basis, but anything that gets Switkowski more love is worth it.
Melbourne could miss finals
The conversation about the Demons needs to switch from whether they can win this year’s flag to if they will even make it to September after a forgettable afternoon.
Melbourne v Fremantle.Credit: Getty
They have lost three of their past four matches to fall outside the top eight, with the sole win over a St Kilda side on track to finish in the bottom four.
Jake Lever and Jacob van Rooyen were missing, but Melbourne were otherwise at full strength, so the alarming nature of Sunday’s loss – after kicking the first two goals of the day – is worse in that context.
Next round’s clash with Collingwood on King’s Birthday shapes as a huge one for both clubs, with the Magpies having an excuse for their recent run of outs with a lengthy injury list.
Another Demons defeat, particularly if it is lopsided, would be cause for serious concern for Simon Goodwin and his coaching staff.
Bailey Humphrey’s goal comes from the Suns’ best passage of the game.
The Bombers had what looked like a deadly entry into attack, but Charlie Ballard won a critical one-on-one, stayed calm, and a side-step and handball from Matt Rowell saw the ball rebound at lightning speed the other way.
Ben King misses a late chance, but still, Damian Hardwick would be pretty happy approaching quarter time to have contained the Bombers to a nine-point lead.
Essendon have been impressive, but the Suns have cut through them from defensive 50 on several occasions.
Mac Andrew of the Suns in action.Credit: Getty
It’s the Bombers who will take the lead into the first change of the game after booting three goals in two in the opening quarter.
It was a hot start for the Bombers, who had the first four scoring shots of the day and the first two goals, through Peter Wright and Harry Jones, but the Suns kept in it with goals from Ben Long and Bailey Humphrey.
Ben King had a shot after the siren, but it sailed through for a minor score.
The other major of the first term came through Jake Kelly – and boy, don’t defenders like scoring goals.
Essendon by 9
Peter Wright has made a hot start against his old side — that was a brilliant field kick to set up Harrison Jones.
It’s incredible to think a player of his talent fell out of favour at the selection table here.
The Bombers have been first to the ball and look slicker early, but Ben Long’s reply just now should steady them.
Jed Walter, last year’s number 3 draft pick, is having a turn in the ruck and approaching it with typical physicality.
He looks like The Incredible Hulk, only orange.
Ben Long has booted Gold Coast’s opening goal of the game in his 100th game.
The former Saint is having a refreshed season in the Suns’ forward line after coach Damien Hardwick moved him from defence.
The 26-year-old has started the Suns spark today.
Essendon by 8
Gold Coast v Essendon.Credit: Getty
Essendon are up in all areas of the stat sheet as they go hard at the ball and appear just a class above Gold Coast (at this very early stage).
The Bombers have had 6 inside 50s to 1 and are up in both contested and uncontested possessions. Importantly, they’ve also booted two goals, through Peter Wright and Harry Jones, to none.
Essendon by 14
Peter Wright kicks the first goal of the game.Credit: Getty
There’s the first major of the game: through none other than former-Sun Peter Wright.
It’s Essendon’s four scoring shot, while Gold Coast are yet to register a score on the board
Essendon by 9
Essendon have kicked three behinds in the opening five minutes of the game, as they pepper the sticks without much result. But they are creating opportunities for themselves early, while the Suns are yet to go inside their forward 50.
Essendon by 3
And just like that we’re away in the next game of the game: Gold Coast and Essendon on Yugambeh country up in the Gold Coast.
The Bombers have won their last seven games this season and are sitting pretty in second spot, but could the Suns could some havoc to their run? What do you think?
Fremantle’s future looks as promising as anyone
It does not seem that long ago that Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was on the hot seat after his side slumped to 14th last season.
Jye Amiss od the Dockers.Credit: Getty
That feels like a lifetime ago now, with Fremantle thumping supposed premiership contenders Melbourne by 92 points in Alice Springs on Sunday to vault them into sixth spot at the halfway point.
The Dockers’ list is in fine fettle, from young gun on-ballers Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young to ruck unicorn Luke Jackson and key forwards Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy.
That is without mentioning a defence headlined by captain Alex Pearce and Luke Ryan, and with the fast-developing Heath Chapman coming on strong.
A new contender for AFL’s most underrated?
Sam Switkowski is highly valued at Fremantle and is somewhat of a Champion Data darling, but probably does not have the profile he deserves.
There are flashier names on the Dockers’ list but arguably no one was more important in them putting Melbourne to the sword than Switkowski, who had to force his way into the AFL via the VFL.
The 27-year-old finished with 25 disposals, eight marks, six inside 50s, five clearances, one goal, and 10 score involvements in an outstanding display.
The ‘most underrated’ tag gets shared around on a weekly basis, but anything that gets Switkowski more love is worth it.
Melbourne could miss finals
The conversation about the Demons needs to switch from whether they can win this year’s flag to if they will even make it to September after a forgettable afternoon.
Melbourne v Fremantle.Credit: Getty
They have lost three of their past four matches to fall outside the top eight, with the sole win over a St Kilda side on track to finish in the bottom four.
Jake Lever and Jacob van Rooyen were missing, but Melbourne were otherwise at full strength, so the alarming nature of Sunday’s loss – after kicking the first two goals of the day – is worse in that context.
Next round’s clash with Collingwood on King’s Birthday shapes as a huge one for both clubs, with the Magpies having an excuse for their recent run of outs with a lengthy injury list.
Another Demons defeat, particularly if it is lopsided, would be cause for serious concern for Simon Goodwin and his coaching staff.
Melbourne’s famed midfield gets torched by the Dockers, who had twice as many clearances:
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