Fremantle will be without one of the favourites for All Australian full-back selection after Luke McPharlin unsuccessfully challenged his one-game ban. The club’s key position defender stocks run deep, however. Peter Faulks has been in sensational form for WAFL side Peel for a considerable amount of time now. The Thunder has been on the end of some heavy defeats, yet the former Sydney Swan has rarely been beaten. He’s also winning lots of the ball, racking up a number high-disposal games. Alex Silvagni has proven in the past that he is well-capable of standing the best forwards in the AFL, as has Antoni Grover.
Another Brad Lloyd special
Commentator Anthony Hudson noted the recent rise of rookie-listed Lee Spurr during the broadcast of Saturday’s game. “Another Brad Lloyd special” said Hudson in reference to the Rookie Draft success Freo’s general manager of player management and his recruiting team have had. Greg Broughton, Michael Barlow, Matt de Boer, Alex Silvagni and Nick Lower are among those to join the club via the rookie list in the past three seasons. Spurr has become a valued member of the back six and will hope to keep his spot for the trip back to the city he won three flags in five years in at SANFL club Central Districts.
The finals race
Fremantle now sits ninth on the AFL ladder, equal on wins and only a couple of percentage points less than North Melbourne and Essendon. In a Freo fixture boost, the Roos and Bombers face each other this weekend. A win over Adelaide and Freo will be prohibitive favourites to qualify for the finals with home games against Richmond and Melbourne to come. The clash with North Melbourne at Etihad is shaping as a gigantic one, however. The Roos also play Collingwood (Etihad) and GWS (Skoda). The Bombers have a difficult run home, facing traditional blockbusters against Carlton, Richmond and Collingwood at the MCG. While Freo sits a game and substantial percentage behind fifth placed West Coast, the Eagles face difficult games against a flying Geelong and Collingwood at Patersons, and a daunting MCG clash with Hawthorn in round 23.
Crows almost Bomb out
This week’s opponents Adelaide are closing in on a top-two finish. The Crows almost blew it against Essendon at AAMI Stadium last Sunday, allowing the Bombers to jump to a big early lead before fighting back to win by four points. There’s no doubt Brenton Sanderson will have his men ready to go from the first bounce against Freo this Saturday.
McPhee-fi-fo-fum
Sometimes bearing the unwarranted brunt of fan criticism, Adam McPhee has been a colossus in Freo’s defence this season. He brings the sort of hardness and desperation that this club will require to win games like Saturday’s at AAMI Stadium and, hopefully, later in September.
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Match Preview - Fremantle v Adelaide
From the Crows: Trio tipped to play
McPharlin out
Spurr seizes the moment
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Round 23 fixture announced
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From the Crows: Tippett test
Five Talking Points from the Carlton Mid Derby
It's about time says Mundy
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