Emotional Saints

St Kilda on Saturday will arguably be one of the most emotionally charged opponents Fremantle has ever faced. Club stalwarts Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake have announced their retirements, with ‘Kosi’ also in line to play his 200th AFL game if he is selected. Adam Schneider is also on 199 games. The milestones and retirements will take place against their former coach Ross Lyon. It will take a typically professional performance from Fremantle to fly in, bank the four points and momentum, and then focus on the club’s first final a week later.

Finals permutations

There are a number of finals scenarios that could emerge on Saturday afternoon, but the most likely is that Fremantle will play Geelong in Melbourne in the first week of finals. It would be the third time in four years the clubs have met in September. If Freo defeat the Saints, the only way the club could snatch a top two spot is if Brisbane knock off the Cats at Simonds Stadium. Given Geelong’s imposing record at home, it seems extremely unlikely. Sydney could overtake Freo into third if it beats Hawthorn and St Kilda upsets Freo, and the Swans do enough to overtake our percentage.

Selection

With the club’s first final a week away, all eyes will be on The Freo Line-Up at 4.25pm WST on Thursday. Will Freo leave players at home, and will injured stars return? Freo will be keen to get Aaron Sandilands, Garrick Ibbotson and Clancee Pearce back in the side before September, but only if they are 100 per cent ready to play.


Lach’s stock high

Lachie Neale made his AFL debut against the Saints last season in round 4. He was the sub on that occasion, but after almost two full seasons at the elite level, the youngster has made giant strides. Neale has been one of Freo’s best in the past month, and as senior coach Ross Lyon says, he’s picking himself ahead of the finals.


The league’s best defence

After conceding the second fewest points behind AFL premiers Sydney in 2012, Fremantle has stepped it up a couple of notches this year. The club will finish the home and away season having conceded the fewest points in the AFL by a long way. It is statistically one of the greatest defensive performances ever.