The familiar face standing in the way of Fremantle’s record hot streak
Welcome to the Western Watercooler, where we round up the talking points from the weekend’s matches and the highlights, disappointments and silver linings that WA football fans can hold onto as the season progresses.
Patrick Voss dined at his former club as Fremantle, known as Walyalup during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, made it nine wins in a row after a strong opening half.
Eagles – Waalitj Marawar during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round – scored the last four goals of the match to move top of the GWS.
Their third win of the season was based on some shrewd coaching and long periods of mounting pressure.
Fremantle Dockers
What went right? ‘The Prancing Pony’ is back.
Voss entered yesterday’s match averaging a goal per game this year and is yet to return to his breakout performance from last year with his confidence and form.
But what better way to recapture the mojo than with a date with his old team at the football house?
The 22-year-old is at his best when he has a shoulder problem and has a point to prove. So the one-time Essendon rookie didn’t need much motivation.
A superb second quarter in which he struck four majors in a row, including a superb strike from the boundary, put the game beyond doubt.
Each goal was celebrated accordingly and the Bombers and their fans were mocked.
Voss ended the day with a handful of firsts in his first match at the MCG since last year’s thrilling win over Collingwood.
What went wrong? Second half.
Fremantle had a 52-point lead and while they went on to win by 43 points, they were beaten at distance and in contested positions.
This will give Justin Longmuir and his coaches ammunition to continue raising standards and striving for excellence.
These are not finished products and will need to sharpen the pencil in the coming months.
These Dockers aren’t at their peak yet, but that’s what’s exciting.
Silver lining? Winning streak.
The Dockers have won nine games in a row for the third time in club history. In the 2006 and 2015 seasons Fremantle reached the preliminary finals.
On Friday night Justin Longmuir’s men will have the chance to rewrite history by becoming the first purple team to win 10 in a row.
Standing in their way are the Saints, coached by Ross Lyon, who shares the current record alongside Justin Longmuir and Chris Connolly.
West Coast Eagles
What went right? Coached by Andrew McQualter.
It’s been a brutal start, winning just four of 33 games, but yesterday’s win may have been his most satisfying.
McQualter deployed two labeling roles.
Brady Hough was used to stifle the impact of star gunner Finn Callaghan and Milan Murdock to stop Lachie Whitfield’s run and carry.
Hough restricted Callaghan to 19 touches on the year after producing a dominant 37-touch, 1-goal game in the relevant fixture while receiving three Brownlow Medal votes.
Pre-season signing Murdock’s own running abilities were used to ensure he never let Whitfield out of his sight.
The GWS veteran managed 21 disposals, but only 284 meters were gained. Murdock went wherever Whitfield went, and his night ended with the sound of the final siren.
The discipline of the duo was extraordinary; McQualter’s ability to successfully mitigate the impact of the two Giants winning the game was remarkable.
What went wrong? Milan Murdock played a wonderful negative role against Lachie Whitfield while also giving away a 100 meter penalty which has been a rarity in recent times.
The referee twice penalized the 25-year-old for “dissent” and awarded Murdock three penalties tonight following an earlier indiscretion.
Entering the 10th round, West Coast had conceded 10 goals in 50-meter penalties this season; This was three more than any other team.
Silver lining? Kartal’s youth.
While Harley Reid and Bailey Williams produced career-best showings, one of the most pleasing elements was the number of contributors on the park.
Reuben Ginbey’s outstanding season continues, with Josh Lindsay’s composure and skills coming to the fore.
Good things happen when Willem Duursma gets involved, Hugh Davis starts to lock down the wing position, while Jack Hutchinson and Malakai Champion have had their moments.
Paddy Sweeney is a Nine News Perth sports presenter and journalist.
