Friday nights game between Freo and the Tigers still has a lot of us thinking ‘what the?’
Unless you’re a Tigers supporter- in which case I’m sure you will still be celebrating. I received several emails and text messages after the game from Tigers supporters reminding me of the result. In response: Yes I do need a tissue. Yes I do need a hug. Yes I could see the scoreboard. And so on…
I think we knew the Docker’s undefeated run would come to an end at some stage, but did any one predict that it would be against Richmond… at Domain Stadium? I certainly did not.
Fremantle are usually the ones who start the game hard and fast- not their opponents. However, Tiger’s came out with a bang in the first quarter kicking the first 4 goals and finished the quarter with 8 goals to Fremantle’s 3. At this point, I think the supporters, and probably the entire Docker’s camp, were well and truly in a state of shock. To add to the disappointment, Freo’s gun defender Michael Johnson was subbed out of his 200th game early after injuring his hamstring.
It’s not good news for Michael Johnson http://t.co/KFBzGKTcYi after his hamstring injury last night #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/yCN2cGA1De
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) June 6, 2015
This was the first time Fremantle have conceded six (or more) goals in a first quarter at Domain Stadium under Ross Lyon. With the Tigers playing great footy, they were proving to become quite the headache for Ross, and the Fremantle supporters.
So what went wrong for Fremantle?
Don’t get me wrong, Richmond played better on the night and Fremantle couldn’t get it together to make an impact on the scoreboard. Personally, I don’t think you can pin point the disappointing Dockers performance to any player in particular but there was definitely some obvious downfalls.
Personally, I just don’t think Matt Taberner is strong enough to be out there just yet. Ross Lyon is obviously a fan of Taberner’s work because he is constantly in the starting line up. He started up forward and couldn’t take a mark to save himself. Then he was put in the back line and couldn’t spoil a mark to save himself. He caves under pressure and is just not aggressive enough on the ball for me. I felt he missed a lot of opportunities for the Dockers.
I also think the absence of Johnson in the backline was very much noticed and Luke McPharlin had a hard time holding up the fort on his own. Captain Matt Pavlich was very quiet with only 2 points to his name and 11 possessions. Lachie Neale was Fremantle’s highest possession getter with 28, Nat Fyfe finishing with 26 possessions, 1 great goal and an outstanding mark. But it just wasn’t enough this time.
Richmond have been developing well as a team this season and have now won their last 4 games in a row. Dustin Martin has been hitting the mark for the Tigers, clocking up a personal best 34 possessions on Friday night. Coach Damien Hardwick has been pushing Martin to develop a harder edge, and he definitely showed what he is capable of in the 27 point win. Richmond were fast, tough, efficient with the footy and accurate on goal. That’s why they won. They were more composed and didn’t make silly mistakes.
I think Fremantle will put this game behind them and focus on preparing and improving for their next task- Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium next Saturday.
Talking points:
- Fremantle’s backline will need to lift without Michael Johnson
- Richmond could very well be finals contenders this season
- Fremantle will come out firing against the Suns
