How Times Have Changed

Posted on May 5, 2016June 7, 2018 | Posted by Digby Beacham

Fremantle v GWS

Saturday, Domain Stadium, 6.10pm

How times have changed. Accustomed to efficiency, discipline and success, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has now resorted to talking about effort and competitiveness for abbreviated periods of games. Just nine months after claiming the minor premiership, the Dockers are in free fall, as evidenced by being the only winless side in the competition and parked at the foot of the ladder after six rounds. One positive for Fremantle fans is that their club’s plight has forced Lyon to promote youth.

The Dockers have dished out some heavy punishment to GWS since the expansion side entered the competition. Indeed, the Giants are winless in six visits to Perth, with their inability to cope with Fremantle’s and West Coast’s pressure, and the capabilities of moving the ball through the lines at Domain Stadium, extremely stark. But they head west in terrific form, the mauling of premiers Hawthorn catching the attention of the football world. Sturdy in defence, brilliant through the midfield and potent in attack, it was the most complete performance turned in by a GWS side.

Jeremy Cameron remains the Giants’ No.1 goal kicker, but the development of Rory Lobb, evolution of Toby Greene and recruitment of Steve Johnson gives them a different look that will well and truly stretch a Dockers defence missing Michael Johnson. As for Fremantle, Matthew Pavlich is no longer capable of kicking bags, Chris Mayne struggles to convert and Hayden Ballantyne isn’t the player he once was. No Nat Fyfe and no Aaron Sandilands doesn’t help either.

VERDICT: GWS by 30 points

1st Goal Scorer: Steve Johnson

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