There is something a bit different about Freo this year compared with other seasons. Call it self belief, grit, determination, never say die attitude
You would never have associated the Dockers with many of these qualities in previous years but they seem to have a bucket load of all of them in 2026.
Last nights game was under Hawthorns control for 3 and a half quarters but somehow Freo managed to lift and kick 5 goals in the last 10 minutes. After three 6 day breaks in a row everyone assumed that they would run out of gas but spurred on by a noisy crowd they managed to find a way to beat a quality opponent.
So many brilliant efforts and passages of play in those last desperate minutes but the one that stood out for me was the smother by Jackson of Newcombes kick which set up a goal. You could see the air go out of the Hawks players completely after that.
Freo have now stamped themselves as serious contenders and should be targeting a top 4 spot, ideally top 2 and 2 home finals
Jackson has gone to another level this year….maturity wise physically and mentally maybe….the new ruck rule certainly helping….on paper they have some elite attribute sorts….Jackson, Serong, Young and Treacy……with Bolton, Clark, Reid, and Brayshaw not too far behind.
A great win by the team. And also a high class game of football.
The first half was a real tug O war. with the Hawks making a minor break.
But I thought that Freo turned the tide in the third quarter., stopping the Hawks from being so free running.Blocked the Gunston avenue. He was devastating in the first half.
Freo for the early part just stopped the Hawks free flow and in the end began to take charge. Just couldn’t get scores on the board.
The last quarter was a clinker. Again, the early part was tough and unrelenting, but Freo looked like breaking the game open,Until the Pearce hand pass intercept which resulted in a goal.I thought that was a turning point,I thought they had broken the shackles, but Freo had other ideas.
Jackson became huge and was super impressive.A great smother that resulted in a goal, Using his big body to make plays for the runners.
Freddy became vital with his run. Treacy was agin a bull with his body work.Serong continued his good form .
I was at the game and the noise when the run began was amazing. The noisiest I have heard our crowd at Perth Stadium.
Both team can feel pleased, if the losing side ever feel pleased. But it was a great game.
This is certainly a different team to what we have seen in the past.
A few of the players may have had ordinary nights but had moments that helped with the win.
After three sid day breaks, the boys will welcome a ten day break.
Just in: Alex Pearse has a minor MCL damage.Hopefully nothing serious.