The boss hits 50

Ross Lyon, who last Friday announced he’d stay at Freo until at least the end of the 2017 season, will coach his 50th game for the club when his men run out onto Etihad Stadium on Friday night. After a patchy start to his purple reign, Freo supporters now couldn’t fathom footy life without the man they’ve come to know simply as, ‘The Boss’.

Lyon signs on for two more years


‘Son Son’ free to play

Everyone at Fremantle already knew the magic Michael Walters was capable of, but in round 7 last season, the AFL world saw it firsthand. Freo went into the game against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium with a host of injured stars unavailable and were hurt by the late withdrawal of Stephen Hill. In what was a tight contest, ‘Son Son’ proved the difference, kicking four goals to leave the Magpies spellbound. Freo will be pleased to have the small forward available to play after he accepted a reprimand for a rough conduct charge.

Electric Walters lights up Pies


'Sandi' set to soar

The other big contract news last Friday was star ruckman Aaron Sandilands extending his contract for another season. The way the big fella is playing in the pre-season, the other AFL ruckmen probably weren’t jumping for joy at the announcement. Sandilands has averaged 12 hitouts-to-advantage in the pre-season – numbers that would put him on track to smash the AFL record. Skipper Matthew Pavlich said on Monday that ‘Sandi’ was “dominating at the moment”. Freo will hope the three-time All Australian can continue doing just that against his inexperienced opponent Brodie Grundy on Friday night.

Sandilands signs


The Magpie midfield

It’s arguably as talented as any midfield unit in the AFL, a statement Ross Lyon agrees with. “Their starting six midfield is as good as any in the competition. (Dane) Swan and (Scott) Pendlebury, (Dayne) Beams, (Luke) Ball, (Clinton) Young, (Steele) Sidebottom, just to rattle a few off, they’re elite,” the senior coach told 6PR.

Lyon on 6PR


The Etihad record

If PhD’s were handed out for coaching well at Etihad Stadium, we’d be calling our senior coach Dr Lyon. His record cannot be overlooked at the Docklands ground. Since he took over Fremantle for the 2012 season, the club has been incredibly tough to beat at a venue it had previously struggled mightily at. “We do like Etihad, in my tenure here we’ve won five out of six and beaten some quality teams there,” Lyon said. The only defeat came in round 23 last year against St Kilda when Lyon left out most of the club’s senior stars ahead of the finals. Before joining Freo, he had turned the Saints into an Etihad juggernaut, too, winning, 48 from 66 games there. It must be noted, though, that Nathan Buckley’s Magpies are also formidable at Etihad Stadium, winning five of their six games there over the past two seasons.