Fremantle v Essendon, Saturday Night 8:40pm, Domain Stadium
It’s easy to point out where the Dockers are going right this season, with a strong intent to score hard and fast. Their strong starts to games in the last few weeks (West Coast, Sydney and now Melbourne) have put the opposition on the back foot early and has demands a response.
The corridor is the main route to goal, with Fyfe, Mayne and Lachie Neale slicing through opposition defensives with their football nous, outstanding skills and vibrant run. Up the other end, Cam Sutcliffe and Michael Johnson are holding down the defensive posts, doing fantastic lock-down jobs on forward live-wires.
The Bombers tendency to drift in and out of games is still the factor that prevents them from pushing into the higher ranks of the comp. The game against St. Kilda on Sunday portrayed their issues; a lack of concentration and poor ball movement when trying to counter attack costing them greatly.
To hit Freo and score against them, you’ve got to hit your targets. James Hird knows this and will be instructing his players to do so, or it will get ugly.
Key Match Ups
Jake Carlisle vs Luke McPharlin
Could also end up being tracked by Michael Johnson, but a huge game is required from Carlisle as Joe Daniher’s current inconsistency (still a young key forward, prone to bouts of it). Has to isolate himself and not allow McPharlin’s team mates to help come over the top and spoil.
Matt Taberner vs Cale Hooker
Hooker’s radical improvement as a zone off and one on one defender has been understated. Taberner has to perform (regardless of cloud over the fitness of skipper Matthew Pavlich) and can’t let his man easily zone off and kill contests.
Result
Should be a good game for the neutral, with an interesting defensive tactical battle as a subplot. Can Hird unravel the cunning Dockers, or will it be six from six and eye to hopefully a top two finish for Lyon’s soldiers? Likely the latter.
Freo by 17.
AFL Preview Round 6: Fremantle v Essendon
