Ex-Fremantle defender Lee Spurr says Dockers must have a variety of options for slowing down Sam Darcy
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West Australian
6 hours ago
- West Australian
Mick Malthouse: How Fremantle Dockers beat Western Bulldogs to claim finals berth
Finals will come early this weekend, with a sudden death clash between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs. I guess we've known for a while that this match in round 24 was going to have some significance. Exactly how much significance is evident now. We find ourselves with both clubs sweating on the results of the double — the round 24 clash between Port Adelaide and Gold Coast, where both sets of supporters will be barracking loudly for Port in Ken Hinkley's last game. And then the round 0 match between the Suns and Essendon. Yes, that round 0 game which will now totally compromise Gold Coast's ability to make the finals. It's a recipe for disaster because as much as the Suns are aiming for the top eight, they won't want any injuries or, heaven forbid, anyone to enter concussion protocols. Currently ninth on percentage, two losses for Gold Coast would see Fremantle and the Dogs play finals. But that's a long shot. And why they're both playing for a win on Sunday. Both the Dockers and the Bulldogs have been in very good to excellent form. Of their past five matches each, they have both only lost to the Brisbane Lions. The last time they met was a long time ago, in round 4, where Fremantle dominated the second quarter with seven goals and held on to win by 16 points. Both sides have similar strengths, but I feel like the depth of one line in particular will be the difference between winning and losing this game. In the past four matches the Bulldogs have managed to kick in excess of 100 points in each game, whereas the Dockers have scored over 100 just once, but were close on two other occasions. So they are both strong forward. The backlines of each club can be fragile, but I lean towards Freo's Alex Pearce controlling that line. Both forward lines can kick goals, but who does Pearce pick up, Sam Darcy or Aaron Naughton? Probably Darcy. But the Dogs have turned their fortunes around because both forwards thrive off each other's work. So that brings us to the midfield. It's almost inconceivable how Fremantle buckled under Brisbane's game plan last week. Though what did come to the fore was Brisbane's depth of midfield, even without Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale. Once that midfield got on top it opened up the Dockers' defence and allowed the Lions some easy scoring. The Dogs on the other hand lost narrowly to Brisbane. In reality however, Brisbane had 26 shots to 16, which meant it was just bad kicking that kept the Dogs in the game. The Bulldogs have been very clinical in their recent wins and have a high percentage to back that up. On the other side of the coin, Fremantle have had to fight back from behind in almost every recent game, which can zap the team's energy. In round 22 the Dockers beat Port after coming from behind at three-quarter-time. In round 21 they trailed Carlton but had a big last quarter to win well. They beat West Coast easily in round 20 and fought back magnificently against Collingwood at the MCG in round 19 to win by a point. This is all very commendable, but at some stage your luck runs out. The more you are behind the harder it is to get in front. Fremantle will have to start well against the Dogs. The Bulldogs are a free-flowing high-scoring side. Teams that have success against the Dogs have limited their midfielders' possessions. Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards and Tom Liberatore are their main three. The Dockers have been cleaned up when their mids, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, have been held. If Hayden Young comes back into the side it will generate more problems for the Dogs and more strike power for Freo, which is badly needed. However, he is the first to admit that his body isn't holding up as well as it should, which makes it a risk. So therefore, I have to lean towards the Bulldogs on their home ground, and with the way they are currently playing, particularly their midfield. Fremantle's hope is that they can close the game down. The Dockers shouldn't try to go head-to-head and goal-for-goal with the Dogs, otherwise they'll become disconnected to the game. They need to play their own way. It's a final to make the finals after all and only the best team will get there.
West Australian
7 hours ago
- West Australian
RICHO'S TOP 10: Crows star Izak Rankine has only himself to blame over AFL ban for homophobic slur
He would be contrite and remorseful. His brain fade is going to cost him and the Adelaide Crows dearly. Without he and Josh Rachele, suddenly the Crows' class inside forward 50 is diminished severely. But this is a very black and white issue — the AFL will not tolerate homophobic slurs — as it has shown time and time again. The precedent is clear. West Coast's Jack Graham received four weeks only last month so that should have been fresh in Rankine's mind. The AFL was right in making Rankine's suspension the same length as Graham's. If it hadn't, then we would have needed a very clear reason why. The seemingly never-ending sagas of player movement that free agency creates is now part of our game, as NAS was a restricted free agent and had the right to make sure he got top dollar for his services. There is always a go-home factor with some players. One rusted-on Saints fan told Dale Thomas and me over the weekend it would be worse than when they lost Tony Lockett to the Swans in 1995 if NAS had jumped ship. Some Saints fans have still not recovered from Plugger going north. Win and you're in. Lose and you can book those plane tickets to Bali. Now that's a bitter pill to swallow if you're a Freo fan, as your team will have won 15 games. But the good thing is it's still in the Dockers' hands, 'just win baby,' as the late great Las Vegas Raiders owner Al Davis would say. The Dockers will also be motivated by Nat Fyfe playing his final regular season game. There have not been many better players in the AFL era than Fyfe at the peak of his powers. Those peak years were 2013–19, during which he won two Brownlow medals. One of the best marking midfielders we have seen. Not many, if any, have been as courageous and tough in the contest. Fyfe also has a bit of mystery about him and an aura that draws people in. Unfortunately, his career was at times plagued by injuries, which must have worn him out mentally. He never showed it though. Let's hope this weekend isn't his final game and the Dockers can take him into a final September run. It will be must-watch Sunday footy on Channel Seven. To me, it's pointless holding it in mid-February with Victoria taking on WA at Optus Stadium. It will be circle work, nothing more than an exhibition game. And I doubt all the stars will be there either. Why? Because it will never be supported by the clubs who don't want their star players injured. Imagine the Western Bulldogs' reaction if The Bont was injured in this game. It will never be the pinnacle of the game like it is in the NRL to the players. So, to me, it is pointless unless it's fully supported by all stakeholders 100 per cent. Some stars of the game have said they want it, but need to show it's more than ticking it off on their career achievement list. As a small forward with 553 goals to his name, it puts him at the very top of the tree in that position. Incredible numbers in a position that at times you're living off scraps. He is so hard to tackle with great movement and footy IQ. He was a huge part of the Hawks' threepeat from 2013–15 – one of the all-time great teams. He sits comfortably among Stephen Milne, Eddie Betts, Jeff Farmer and Boomer Harvey as the best small crumbing forwards of the AFL era. A potential Hall of Famer, no doubt. The AFL would be pumped as well, with a Port win making the Suns' final game against the Bombers do-or-die. More so than that, he just deserves to walk off the Adelaide Oval with a win and a chance to sing the song one last time for the Power. He is a players' man to the end that never lost his group over his entire career. He only suffered two losing seasons in 13 years at the helm, and in four of those, he made the preliminary final. Always an honest straight shooter with no BS when dealing with him in the media as well. Put the feet up, Kenny. A job in footy awaits somewhere when he's ready. Maybe at Carlton with Vossy? Look back at the last four years. In 2022, they needed one win to secure a finals spot, only to give up the last two goals of the game against Melbourne in round 22 to lose by five points, and in round 23 they kicked 0.6 in the last quarter to Collingwood's 5.1 to lose by one point and surrender a finals berth. In 2023, they made a preliminary final. But on closer inspection, when the pressure and expectation was on that year after a 4–0 start, they went 1–8. Then, when there was a nothing-to-lose mentality, they made a run. Last year, they were second on the ladder by round 18, then stumbled into a finals campaign after they lost to the Saints and had to rely on other results. They will probably finish this year with a win tonight to finish 11th at best with a 9–14 record. It feels like the pressure valve went down after the club backed Vossy in for 2026, but over the summer they have to find a way to deal with the expectations of being a big four club, if they really want to be one. He's a fan favourite already at West Coast, and when he was at Richmond, he was the same. A committed, total team player. Desperate and willing to play any role for his team. But, and I'm sorry for this Liam, he is about to become just the fifth AFL player to win back-to-back flags (at the Tigers in 2019–20) and back-to-back wooden spoons with the Tigers in 2024 and now West Coast in 2025. The other players with this unwanted honour are all Lions: Marcus Ashcroft, Shaun Hart, Chris Johnson and Martin Pike. Now that's a quirky footy trivia question for your next club fundraiser. I get it, he's different and marketable and controversial. He draws heaps of attention for all the obvious reasons. But I love it. As I've said before, we need more personalities in our game who are not afraid of being themselves. Apart from that, he gets the job done on the field every weekend. Smith has been massive for the Cats and will be a key factor in a strong September run for Geelong. As a player, Simpson had a top score of 311 and was known as just about the best slips fielder of all time. But it was as Australia's coach that I remember him the most from 1986 to 1996 – my peak cricket-watching years. Under his tutelage and Allan Border's captaincy, Australia was transformed as a team. Think of the players that came through in that time. Too many to name, but I will single out my childhood hero and great Tasmanian Boony. Some of the team's greatest achievements in his time as coach were winning the 1987 World Cup and regaining The Ashes in England in 1989. I vividly recall both those achievements. What a time it was for Aussie cricket fans.
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Izak Rankine only has himself to blame for costly mistake
He would be contrite and remorseful. His brain fade is going to cost him and the Adelaide Crows dearly. Without he and Josh Rachele, suddenly the Crows' class inside forward 50 is diminished severely. But this is a very black and white issue — the AFL will not tolerate homophobic slurs — as it has shown time and time again. The precedent is clear. West Coast's Jack Graham received four weeks only last month so that should have been fresh in Rankine's mind. The AFL was right in making Rankine's suspension the same length as Graham's. If it hadn't, then we would have needed a very clear reason why. The seemingly never-ending sagas of player movement that free agency creates is now part of our game, as NAS was a restricted free agent and had the right to make sure he got top dollar for his services. There is always a go-home factor with some players. One rusted-on Saints fan told Dale Thomas and me over the weekend it would be worse than when they lost Tony Lockett to the Swans in 1995 if NAS had jumped ship. Some Saints fans have still not recovered from Plugger going north. Win and you're in. Lose and you can book those plane tickets to Bali. Now that's a bitter pill to swallow if you're a Freo fan, as your team will have won 15 games. But the good thing is it's still in the Dockers' hands, 'just win baby,' as the late great Las Vegas Raiders owner Al Davis would say. The Dockers will also be motivated by Nat Fyfe playing his final regular season game. There have not been many better players in the AFL era than Fyfe at the peak of his powers. Those peak years were 2013–19, during which he won two Brownlow medals. One of the best marking midfielders we have seen. Not many, if any, have been as courageous and tough in the contest. Fyfe also has a bit of mystery about him and an aura that draws people in. Unfortunately, his career was at times plagued by injuries, which must have worn him out mentally. He never showed it though. Let's hope this weekend isn't his final game and the Dockers can take him into a final September run. It will be must-watch Sunday footy on Channel Seven. Nat Fyfe deserves a final AFL finals run. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian To me, it's pointless holding it in mid-February with Victoria taking on WA at Optus Stadium. It will be circle work, nothing more than an exhibition game. And I doubt all the stars will be there either. Why? Because it will never be supported by the clubs who don't want their star players injured. Imagine the Western Bulldogs' reaction if The Bont was injured in this game. It will never be the pinnacle of the game like it is in the NRL to the players. So, to me, it is pointless unless it's fully supported by all stakeholders 100 per cent. Some stars of the game have said they want it, but need to show it's more than ticking it off on their career achievement list. As a small forward with 553 goals to his name, it puts him at the very top of the tree in that position. Incredible numbers in a position that at times you're living off scraps. He is so hard to tackle with great movement and footy IQ. He was a huge part of the Hawks' threepeat from 2013–15 – one of the all-time great teams. He sits comfortably among Stephen Milne, Eddie Betts, Jeff Farmer and Boomer Harvey as the best small crumbing forwards of the AFL era. A potential Hall of Famer, no doubt. The AFL would be pumped as well, with a Port win making the Suns' final game against the Bombers do-or-die. More so than that, he just deserves to walk off the Adelaide Oval with a win and a chance to sing the song one last time for the Power. He is a players' man to the end that never lost his group over his entire career. He only suffered two losing seasons in 13 years at the helm, and in four of those, he made the preliminary final. Always an honest straight shooter with no BS when dealing with him in the media as well. Put the feet up, Kenny. A job in footy awaits somewhere when he's ready. Maybe at Carlton with Vossy? Look back at the last four years. In 2022, they needed one win to secure a finals spot, only to give up the last two goals of the game against Melbourne in round 22 to lose by five points, and in round 23 they kicked 0.6 in the last quarter to Collingwood's 5.1 to lose by one point and surrender a finals berth. In 2023, they made a preliminary final. But on closer inspection, when the pressure and expectation was on that year after a 4–0 start, they went 1–8. Then, when there was a nothing-to-lose mentality, they made a run. Last year, they were second on the ladder by round 18, then stumbled into a finals campaign after they lost to the Saints and had to rely on other results. They will probably finish this year with a win tonight to finish 11th at best with a 9–14 record. It feels like the pressure valve went down after the club backed Vossy in for 2026, but over the summer they have to find a way to deal with the expectations of being a big four club, if they really want to be one. He's a fan favourite already at West Coast, and when he was at Richmond, he was the same. A committed, total team player. Desperate and willing to play any role for his team. But, and I'm sorry for this Liam, he is about to become just the fifth AFL player to win back-to-back flags (at the Tigers in 2019–20) and back-to-back wooden spoons with the Tigers in 2024 and now West Coast in 2025. The other players with this unwanted honour are all Lions: Marcus Ashcroft, Shaun Hart, Chris Johnson and Martin Pike. Now that's a quirky footy trivia question for your next club fundraiser. I get it, he's different and marketable and controversial. He draws heaps of attention for all the obvious reasons. But I love it. As I've said before, we need more personalities in our game who are not afraid of being themselves. Apart from that, he gets the job done on the field every weekend. Smith has been massive for the Cats and will be a key factor in a strong September run for Geelong. Bailey Smith. Credit: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images As a player, Simpson had a top score of 311 and was known as just about the best slips fielder of all time. But it was as Australia's coach that I remember him the most from 1986 to 1996 – my peak cricket-watching years. Under his tutelage and Allan Border's captaincy, Australia was transformed as a team. Think of the players that came through in that time. Too many to name, but I will single out my childhood hero and great Tasmanian Boony. Some of the team's greatest achievements in his time as coach were winning the 1987 World Cup and regaining The Ashes in England in 1989. I vividly recall both those achievements. What a time it was for Aussie cricket fans.
