Geelong, Melbourne and now Brisbane. Once is a chance, twice is a coincidence, three times is a trend! Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s eventual taming of the Lions on Sunday.
There was something about the Bailey's in that game, Zac Bailey and Bailey Banfield each kicked four but we'll focus on the latter.
Straight off the top, you're not human if you weren't thrilled for Bailey Banfield. The serial sub, battling with confidence, got his chance and delivered arguably his career best game when it was most vital. Who knows what happens in future weeks but JL now has an extra headache to deal with, albeit a positive one.
From the meaningful game perspective, if you had any doubts or weren’t convinced in the authenticity of this Fremantle football club’s performances and its trajectory, Sunday surely put your concerns to rest.
This was a definitive display that truly signalled this team has arrived. And not from an outlandish “the premiership is ours” perspective, but from a belief that we should fear no team, knowing that we’ll turn up and deliver required and respected effort…. unless the weather turns a bit damp. We still need to tick that box!
This performance over Brisbane was compelling because the Lions were absolutely on their game, they were ferocious from siren to siren and relentless with their pressure. We combatted it, matched it, upped it and counterpunched our way to one of the clubs most significant victories, and we did it with a team averaging 25 years of age and without a Walters, a Matty Taberner, a Switta and a Fyfe.
It is a game in which the unsung heroes rightfully became a little less unsung. The value in being able to turn to and bring in an Ethan Hughes and a Lloyd Meek and have them instantly play at the level they did, cannot be overstated. Quality list depth is invaluable and a key ingredient of long term and meaningful success.
We continue this praise singing extravaganza in the pod, we chat individuals, our favourite single moment, cover what’s doing in Fyfe life and bring it home with another instalment of the Neighbourhood Watch.
We’re already late with this internationally recorded but definitely not renowned podcast, so let’s stop banging on about it here and get into the conversation.
