There’s no doubt that Freo seemingly are on the rise and the Eagles will be on the wane very soon. That’s the footy roundabout.
I think the Eagles may be pushing shit uphill as early as this year. You have to keep one step ahead every year and I’m not sure they have. They’ll drop down, but their history is a rebound fairly quickly. As for Freo, they’ll be cockahoop. If I was a a supporter, I’d be happy, but I would also remember that they have a history of turning good players into average ones. Maybe now they have a good coach and board. Be interesting to watch both teams.
Heard tonight in 6PR Brad Sheppard may retire due to concussion issues. Big loss if true.
Like the look of Eric Benning Freo have picked up from Kunnernurra. 196cm aboriginal lad. An academy player they’ve already put some work into.
I think both teams would be disappointed if they didn’t make finals next year. Kennedy Shuey and Hurn will be managed through the year so it will depend on what sort of output the experienced Eagles have. Darling, Allen, Gaff, Barass , Natanui , Kelly etc . Fair to say they most of them had below par seasons in 2021.
This draft could set Fremantle up for the next decade. I’m not sure about previous drafts exactly who we got and when but It’s hard to imagine Fremantle have had a better draft hand picking up 3 players that were touted by most experts to all be top ten picks and Fremantle got them all with picks 8, 10 and 21. Importantly we have gone with local kids and got exactly what we need to invest in our future, a key forward and two big bodied mids who could be the heir apparent for Mundy and Fyfe.
I find the two WA teams very hard to predict next year, both have some big strengths - and some big weaknesses.
The Eagles at full fitness are probably a top four team again. A lot depends on three players who have been struggling with injury, Shuey, Yeo and McGovern. If those three were back to all Australian fitness (which is a big ask especially for Shuey) and others like NN, Kelly, Sheed, Allen, Ryan, Gaff, Darling, even Rioli were able to find fitness and form the Eagles could suddenly be back in premiership calculations. And I just wonder if Jarrod Schofield might awaken them from Adam Simpsons deplorable coaching last year.
Freo at full strength you would expect to make the 8. But there’s big question marks on Fyfes future - he’s hardly polled a Brownlow vote for a couple of years now, Walters has had a poor couple of years, Mundy is turning 50 or something, and that leaves Brayshaw and young Serong, seems a fine line between that midfield being up and running or being a bit off the pace. Like the Eagles with Naitanui Freo would not want Sean Darcy to break down. I think the other key player they need to keep on the park will be Taberner, take him out of that forward line and it looks pretty impotent. Need Alex Pearce to stay fit in that defence also and you wouldn’t want to be betting on him being injury free. I can’t see this years draftees having much impact this season.
Great post TOO.
I think their weaknesses will be with the old boys - how many games will they play? Plus Darling, Kelly and Ryan were very inconsistent. They have a few A graders, but they also had a few “soldiers” last year that rely on the guns to fire. Gotta say I’m not overly confidant, but then I have been wrong before. (I think that was 1971 or 2 