TOPIC:

I'll say something about the umpiring. It would be nice if Pavlich got the same treatment as Franklin. That free kick he got in the first qtr when Sylvagni was simply trying to spoil was pathetic. What Pavlich has to put up with is unbelievable.

ive observed freo this year, no bias, however I am convinced they fall behind in the free kick count because they have the most highly strung game plan of any side in the AFL. By that I mean they are regimented to the point where the sacrifice is they are likely to concede in the technical side of the game. The more I watch them, the more I am convinced there is this one downside to their style. They are in my opinion the best at pressure and backing each other up, moreso than any other side. But that unfortunately comes with over excerting and they pay for it. Its not completely bad but it does cost them. I think opposition sides know this with freo, especially the good sides. Dockers people cant see it, but to me as an outsider it is clearer to come to such a conclusion.

But they win much more than they lose these days, so who's to question it I guess.

anchorman wrote: Fair points jardine.But let me ask you a question or questions.
Do you think it is possible for a team to go four quarters for four frees(in total) in a game? Freo did against the Bulldogs and we won easily that day.
And did you consider the umpiring Freo V Cats was correct?
Just pointing out what I see as inconsistencies in what you are saying.

no doubt that is extreme having 4 frees for a game. however also extreme is the fact Freo had just 3 centre clearances for the whole game and had 15 less clearances than the bulldogs. considering the calibre of freos on ballers, perhaps it overshadowed something there in terms of getting the pill. Apart from that I couldn't tell you .

I do remember that Cats game & Freo were very reckless with the Cats. They just had to be smarter and it cost them. And what amazed me is they didn't change after quarter time. Lyon is a great coach, he really is. However this is one area he isn't great at. There needs to be a happy medium with his methods. Im am certain there anchorman it is an area easy to blame on the umpires, rather than targeting why it keeps happening. Its just something to think about is all Im saying. Its one area that may stifle a flag dream, like at St.Kilda.

jardine wrote: ive observed freo this year, no bias, however I am convinced they fall behind in the free kick count because they have the most highly strung game plan of any side in the AFL. By that I mean they are regimented to the point where the sacrifice is they are likely to concede in the technical side of the game. The more I watch them, the more I am convinced there is this one downside to their style. They are in my opinion the best at pressure and backing each other up, moreso than any other side. But that unfortunately comes with over excerting and they pay for it. Its not completely bad but it does cost them. I think opposition sides know this with freo, especially the good sides. Dockers people cant see it, but to me as an outsider it is clearer to come to such a conclusion.

But they win much more than they lose these days, so who's to question it I guess.

Top post Jardine. Go backthrough Ross's time at the saints, and i think youwill find the saints were always in the top 3 or 4 for frees against. surely i cant be co-incidence

DD wrote: I'll say something about the umpiring. It would be nice if Pavlich got the same treatment as Franklin. That free kick he got in the first qtr when Sylvagni was simply trying to spoil was pathetic. What Pavlich has to put up with is unbelievable.

For mine, the Pav is his own worst enemy on occasions. I've lost count over the last couple of seasons the number of times he goes to ground in a one on one contest when he could and should have kept his feet. Whether he's trying to con the ump into a free kick or it's just easier to go to ground rather than fight for te ball I'm not sure but he's not doing himself or the team any favours. It's not always the case but he is doing it more and more.