TOPIC:

Freo going very well indeed. Big strong mature bodies in the midfield ( and talented). To me they are a carbon copy of the Saints. Very well coached and the players believe and play to the very well organised game plan. Similar list in regard to strenghts and weaknesses as the Saints as well. Ross's plan didnt quite work at the saints in regard to the ultimate goal, question remains if it will at the dockers. Can Pav survive as the only true power marking forward in the finals ( given his age etc), ala Nick Riewoldt for the Saints in those GF years?

Biggest problem for Freo to overcome is Hawthorn at the G. Hawthorn play the wide open spaces better than anyone. Two things I hope for if it's a 2013 GF replay, firstly we kick 5.1 not 1.5 in the first qtr and by finishing top we get to wear our home strip. It was ridiculous we were made to wear away strip in 2013 even though it didn't clash one iota with the Hawthorn jumper.

When you look at who is and can be playing late into the finals, the side is almost the same without Clarke, Duffield and Crowley. I think Griffen will hold his place, Duffield won't get back and Crowley won't be ready and I'm not sure there is a place for him now anyway. I believe the side is now a better side, seasoned and hard at it. You would hope if they do manage to get to the GF, they kick a lot better than they did last time.

Interesting now McGovern, La Cras and Naitanui are all out. Looks like Pavlich, Mundy and McPharlin also out.

JB wrote: Interesting now McGovern, La Cras and Naitanui are all out. Looks like Pavlich, Mundy and McPharlin also out.

could be mind games or maybe Ross is taking the chance to res a few blokes before finals.