Anything and Everything Fremantle
Archive for May, 2011
We’ll overcome injuries: Harvey
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has described this Saturday’s clash with St Kilda as another hurdle for his injury-hit team as it braces for a month of football without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands.
Former Adelaide ruckman Jon Griffin appears certain to make his Fremantle debut against the Saints at Patersons Stadium, with Sandilands this week ruled out for four weeks with “turf toe”.
Fremantle has a 0-5 record without Sandilands since 2008, but Harvey said his side was better prepared to win games without the All Australian than it had been in the past.
“Individually Aaron’s probably got better over the last couple of years, but I think the team’s more equipped,” Harvey said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday.
“So at the moment I’m trying to work out what our best team is, because we’re sustaining things with a lot of players being out.
Freo are back at home
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
It’s been a month since Fremantle played a home game, which means your purple blood must be boiling to get back to Patersons Stadium and support the team this Saturday against back-to-back AFL Premiership bridesmaids St Kilda.
We haven’t beaten the Saints since round 9, 2007, although the boys came close to knocking off the 2009 and 2010 Grand Finalists in both contests last year, losing by 15 and 18 points.
Captain Matthew Pavlich can’t wait to see all the Freo fans back at Patersons on Saturday.
“It’s been a month since we played in front of our home crowd and all the boys are really keen to get back out there and hear the Freo chant again,” Pav said.
“Running out onto Patersons Stadium amidst a sea of purple inspires us to no end.”
The Saints have struggled early in 2011, but their plethora of stars ominously found form in last week’s win over Melbourne.
Docker Barlow set to resume
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Fremantle have finally delivered some good news about injuries with midfielder Michael Barlow expected to resume senior football as early as next week.
Barlow badly broke his leg midway through his impressive debut season last year. There were concerns at how long it would take Barlow to recover.
But Dockers coach Mark Harvey has revealed Barlow is likely to play for his WAFL club Peel in the Foundation Day round on June 4.
However, it is still not know whether Barlow will play in the Thunder’s reserves or league line-up.
Yet a return to WAFL ranks would suggest the Dockers believe Barlow is close to being ready for an AFL return.
Harvey also indicated defender Roger Hayden was close to resuming senior action.
Footballer Jeff Farmer’s sons star in WA miniseries Cloudstreet
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in Miscellaneous
Their father was “The Wiz”, one of football’s great entertainers. But tonight Jeff Farmer’s two young sons take centre stage in the highly anticipated WA miniseries, Cloudstreet.
Jeff Jr, 13, and Kobe Farmer, 8, both make appearances as Woolie Crab at different ages, the son of wise indigenous character Bob Crab, played by leading WA actor Kelton Pell.
The sons of the AFL gun auditioned for the role after a recommendation from Farmer’s actress cousin Kylie, but it was their famous dad who gave them tips on how performing on the big stage.
Sandilands out for four weeks
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands will be sidelined for four weeks and have his left foot in a custom-made moonboot for a week after suffering tendon damage in his big toe against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
Sandilands had scans on Monday morning that revealed the damage but he will not require surgery.
The three-time All-Australian slammed his left foot into the ground in the final quarter of Fremantle’s 52-point win against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium and spent the rest of the match on the bench with an ice pack strapped to the injured foot.
He remained positive on Monday and backed in-form ruck recruit Jonathon Griffin to step seamlessly into the side against St Kilda this Saturday at Patersons Stadium.
“It could have been worse; it could have been a lot longer,” Sandilands said from Fremantle Oval.
“It will only be four weeks and I’ll be back out there sooner rather than later and can finish off the rest of the season.
Mzungu risk pays off as Freo shares load
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
A spread of seven multiple-goalkickers was a critical factor in Fremantle’s comfortable 52-point belting of Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Fremantle veteran Ryan Crowley said the even contribution in front of goal was a major weapon for the team in their dismantling of the Power on their home deck.
“I think that it is crucial, especially with Pav [Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich] moving up into the midfield this year,” said Crowley, who gathered 26 possessions in the win.
“We’ve had a couple of guys having great years in Chris Mayne [two goals] and Hayden Ballantyne [one] and these sorts of guys.”
Kepler Bradley continued his remarkable start to season 2011 with three goals against Port to take his tally to 19 for the year. Another six players booted two goals apiece for Freo, creating a nightmare for Port’s defenders who were trying to stem the flow.
Harvey praises bruised brigade
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey believes the 52-point victory over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday proves the injury curse haunting the club will not halt its charge up the AFL ladder.
Fremantle’s injury list is the longest in the AFL, however the resilient Fremantle Dockers were still too good for a struggling Power outfit who have now lost their past five matches.
“We’ve been really pushing the group, no matter who’s playing,” Harvey said after the win.
“They [the players] share the load and the responsibility, whatever position they’re put in.”
Fremantle’s injury load could become even heavier, with ruckman Aaron Sandilands coming from the ground during the third term after suffering a ‘turf toe’ injury to his left foot.
“It’s his big toe – it’s a new injury,” Harvey said.
Freo cruise past Port
013 years
Port Adelaide 2.2 5.3 11.4 14.6 (90)
Fremantle 7.3 13.8 19.11 21.16 (142)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Gray 3, Schulz 3, Phillips, K. Cornes, Hartlett, Westhoff, Pittard, Moore, Jacobs, Boak
Fremantle: Bradley 3, Mayne 2, Palmer 2, C. Pearce 2, Pavlich 2, Fyfe 2, Roberton 2, Lower, Ballantyne, Hill, Crowley, Broughton, Sandilands
BEST
Port Adelaide: Broadbent, Gray, Boak, Jacobs, Pittard
Fremantle: Fyfe, Lower, Pavlich, Bradley, Crowley, Mundy, Broughton
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Brett Ebert (omitted) replaced in selected side by Cameron O’Shea
Fremantle: Sandilands (ankle)
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Danyle Pearce replaced by Steven Salopek during the third quarter
Fremantle: Hayden Ballantyne replaced by Tendai Mzungu at three-quarter time
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Leppard, Wenn
Official crowd: 16,274 at AAMI Stadium
WAFL Watch: Palmer back in mix
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in WAFL
Fremantle midfielder Rhys Palmer was dropped for last Sunday’s Western Derby, with draftee Jayden Pitt preferred as the replacement for injured goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne.
But his subsequent performance for East Fremantle has him in the mix for an immediate return, against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, as the match committee contemplates yet more injuries.
Palmer, who had 24 possessions and kicked three goals for the Sharks, was Fremantle’s WAFL player of the round, while teammate Jon Griffin continued a strong run of form in the ruck.
“He (Palmer) released himself and did a lot of the things we require at senior level,” assistant coach Simon Lloyd said.
“His work-rate was high and his attack on the contest was where we want it, so we were really happy with the spirit in which he played. He played the game on his terms.”
Knee injury forces McPhee out
013 years
by DockerNow.com
in News
Fremantle utility Adam McPhee is expected to miss 6-8 weeks after injuring his knee in yesterday?s loss to West Coast at Patersons Stadium.
Scans taken today confirmed that McPhee has torn the posterior curiae ligament in his left knee.
Meanwhile, Viv Michie will have his leg in a cast for 6-8 weeks after suffering a stress fracture in the navicular bone in his right foot.
The 19-year-old, who was Fremantle’s second round selection (no. 44 overall) in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, is yet to make his debut.
