I held off this article as news came in that Fremantle decided to flick their coach with a year left on his contract. While it was a terrible year with injuries and 9 straight losses at the end of the year but was it the right decision? Does this mean they have a better coach already signed up?
Aaron Sandilands had the most watched big toe in Australia as he suffered from something called a "Turf Toe", time is running out for Pavlich, Sandilands and co. Can their new coach take them to success?
Anyway besides this weird decision that has caught everyone off guard it was a year that promised a lot but at the end of the season it was another wasted season. However unlike previous years it is not because of the poor clubs culture but rather because of injuries. Michael Barlow (broken leg) and Roger Hayden (foot) didn’t play until rounds 13 and 14 and Anthony Morabito (knee) did not play all year and Sandilands (toe) and David Mundy (leg) missed huge chunks mid-year interruptions.
The good thing about this is that new players of the ilk of got games into them in Jack Anthony, Ben Bucovaz, Peter Faulks, Jon Griffin, Nick Lower, Josh Mellington, Tendai Mzungu, Jayden Pitt and Casey Sibosado.
What this all means is that Fremantle have a side that has potential which the new coach will work with. However they still have holes in their squad and an abundance of ruckmen so expect them to be busy in the trade period. Fremantle need Mitchell Clarke to play alongside Pavlich as him, Sandilands and McPharlin are getting on in years and the time is now for them to play off for a premiership.
Season 2011 Snap Shot
Trade Bait
Mitchell Clarke wants to come to WA and Fremantle would love to get him as he would be a great pick up as a leading forward/ gorilla and a backup ruckmen. Basically he would be a million dollar version of current Kepler Bradley so what can they offer Brisbane?
Zac Smith is a Melbourne boy and apparently Brisbane are hot on him with maybe the draft pick that Fremantle received for Rhys Palmer from the GWS.
Jon Griffen was worth a 4th round pick in 2010 but after a handful of impressive games in Sandilands absence he looks to be returning to Adelaide worth at least a second round draft pick.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
The big guy had turf toe. Nothing to do with water.
September 16th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@Tiny, Yes your right!!! I will correct that asap.
What did you think of the decision to sack Harvey and recruit Ross Lyon?
September 19th, 2011 at 10:03 am
What? They’ve appointed a woman as coach?
September 19th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Are they going to make a play for Jagar O’Meara? They would need to give up some picks in exchange for GWS’s 17 yo pick. Freo would be the logical place for him.
September 20th, 2011 at 9:12 am
@Bob, This is apparently one of the reasons why Harvey got the flick! He wanted to chase Mitch Clark while the other half wanted to chase O’Meara..
There list is very weak and they cannot get both. O’Meara will be the first picked so they have to offer the best to GWS and I think it will be Gold Coast or maybe Collingwood who will get him.
September 20th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@Jermayn,
Assuming he is a likely no 1 or 2 pick you’d think Freo would need to give up a peetty good player like Sandi or Pav. I can see Harvey’s logic there. Apparently there are 4or5 potential champions in next years draft- so is O’Meara going to be worth it?
September 20th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@Bob, He will be good… I have seen him in the WAFL and he oozes confidence against men as a 16 year old. However Fremantle are looking for a premiership now and he wont play until 2013 and do they need another winger/ midfielder? No they need a forward like Clarke who can play forward and pinch hit in the ruck to take Bradley’s spot.