Ross Lyon has swung the axe, the rebuild we have all been waiting for is finally happening!
The Fremantle Dockers come into round 11 after a 28-point loss to the Kangaroos at Optus Stadium last week. I really feel that Freo got shafted by the umpires at pivotal moments of the game, which had an impact on the momentum and in turn, the result. Anyway….. Michael Walters managed two goals and Nat Fyfe had another great game, finishing with 31 disposals and a goal. I was especially impressed with Joel Hamling and Luke Ryan, who both did an excellent job in defence.
As a Dockers supporter, I have been waiting to see any real indication of this ‘rebuild’ that we have been hearing so much about for the last couple of years… It looks like the wait is over! There has been some big (and overdue) changes to the squad this week ahead of Sunday’s game against Collingwood at the MCG. Two more players will make their debut, Stefan Giro and Scott Jones, and Michael Apeness will play his first AFL game in 645 days.
Shane Kirsten returns to the side (as a defender this time, after doing a position switcheroo in the WAFL), along with Tommy Sheridan and Taylin Duman. Veteran Michael Johnson, Hayden Ballantyne and Brandon Matera are OUT (named as emergencies). Danyle Pearce has been omitted and Stephen Hill and Aaron Sandilands are both out with injuries. Wow, now we are getting somewhere with the rebuild!
Collingwood had a big win over the Bulldogs last week so will be coming into this game fairly confident. They have also had a few changes to their team line-up with Travis Varcoe, Ben Reid and Jeremy Howe all out with injury. 25 year old Brody Mihocek will debut for the Pies, while Daniel Wells and Brayden Maynard also come into the squad.
I’m excited to see this new-look Dockers team in action. I think it will be a tough one against Collingwood away from home for these new fellas, but they all have to start somewhere!
I’m tipping the Pies to beat the Fremantle Dockers by 15 points.
Let us know your #AFLPiesFreo predictions at @TweetPerth and @EmmaPaynes
Photo cred: @FreoDockers
