The two grand finalists are the two highest scoring sides for the season. Both of them sit well ahead of all other teams except Adelaide (the third highest scorer) for marks inside 50. Hawthorns conversion ratio as well as their disposal efficiency sits well ahead of all other sides which probably doesn't auger well for West Coast come Saturday. As much as I don't like them the Hawks are statistically comfortably the best side in the competition. If the GF was played 10 times against WC at the MCG they would probably win 8 or 9 of them. That is the reality this week if you are thinking of punting on the Eagles....not to say they can't win of course.
Fremantle are in the top 8 bracket in these areas but not top 3. That is why they can't rearrest momentum when it swings against them as quickly as the grand finalists. Hawthorns clutch goals at half and 3q time from tough shots exemplify their ability to do just that.
So freo's problem is multifactorial. The list is not any better than it was two years ago. We all know Pav is their only key tall up forward and Walters is top class but now gets the second best defender each week. Their stars carry them through the season. In finals the bottom 6 of the 22 are most often the difference. Freo hasn't played the kids enough to develop them. That will come home to roost in the next couple of seasons. Building a list is about finding 30 plus players like the Hawks not 20 which reduces to 15 when injuries strike.
