Watching the derby while still in a slight general anaesthetic fog was not a recommended or reliable recovery step.
The game was always going to be interesting. The home team just needed a competitive showing – enough to keep the sack-the-coach mob at bay. “We’ll have a go,” said coach Simpson with a wan smile during the build-up to the game. “We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said, while noting his cross-town rivals really had their act together.
The only acceptable outcome for Fremantle was to win. Anything less than a comfortable victory would raise questions and make the two ‘good’ losses in Adelaide just losses.
I can’t tell you much about what happened in this game – partly due to the fog I observed some of it through – but mainly because early in the second quarter, just before the seven-goal mark, I retired to bed with the book I’d started reading in hospital earlier in the week.
What I did notice was how careful the Dockers were. Slow build ups… slow decision making… maybe I won’t have a shot for goal here I’ll give off one more handball… will I go for this ball or do you want it…
It’s also clear that at least three of Freo’s mighty midfield have popgun kicks particularly in comparison to the best three in the guts for WCE. They are smart players. And dedicated, I reckon they can work out how to make best use of their assets.
Maybe the best advice for the Dockers would be to go for it. Be daring. Be brave. What have you got to lose? Your careful derby Saturday night simply resulted in humiliation.
Oh, and the book. It’s Where’s Froggy? A Sunset Coast Crime Mystery by Damian Matthews. It’s a local ripper with shady randy real estate agents, murder, a Shetland pony (who might just be there for show), great characters and surprise twists. And, perhaps with just me in mind, the author has thrown in a miniature schnauzer and references to Koolyanobbing and Xantippe.
There’s a footy connection too, though not in the plot. Damian Matthews is a past president of the Perth Football Club. I haven’t met him but if we do meet and he thinks we’re gonna have a nice chat about the 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1976 grand finals he’s got another thing coming.
Click below for how you can get the book…
australianrules.com.au 