RYAN Murphy this week gave Fremantle coaches the complete game they’ve been waiting for, taking contested marks, applying forward pressure and booting five goals in a standout performance for South Fremantle.    

Murphy, who has now kicked 50 goals in 14 WAFL games this season, was named Fremantle’s WAFL player of the round for the first time this year. 

Brock O’Brien’s return to senior football after two months sidelined with a quad injury was another highlight from round 16 of the state competition, while Casey Sibosado continues to grow rapidly as a key defender.

Ahead of this week’s fixtures, senior development coach Simon Lloyd shared his WAFL notes with fremantlefc.com.au. 

Perth 12.10 (82) d Swan Districts 10.12 (72)
Joel Houghton
Joel played mainly across half-forward and spent some time in the ruck. He showed good pressure in the middle of the ground and took a really good contested mark in the last quarter. His work-rate was probably down on what we’ve come to expect, and he knows that he needs to work hard and constantly present as part of his game. He had some good involvements in the ruck in the last quarter.

Casey Sibosado
Casey played as a key backman for the entire game and didn’t come off the ground, finishing a close second in the WAFL player of the round award. He kicked the ball beautifully and constantly moved the ball through the corridor. He often looked to help out his teammates in defence when his opponent wasn’t looking dangerous and he caused turnovers through his pressure. He looked dangerous when he had the ball and his skills were great.        

Justin Bollenhagen
Justin played across half-forward for four quarters and his effort was improved this week. He repositioned well defensively on a number of occasions and he presented in good positions across half-forward. We’re working on Justin’s work-rate, in terms of his re-positioning when the opposition wins possession.  

Clayton Hinkley
Clayton started at half-forward and played there the entire game, going into the middle for a couple of centre bounces. He won a fair amount of his own contested ball and kicked a goal, but his game was probably below the standards he sets. He’s learning to play a half-forward role and we’re encouraging him to use his speed more to get involved.      

Michael Walters
Michael started on the wing and played most of the game there with a few stints at half-forward and three or four centre bounces. He kicked the ball beautifully and constantly came through the corridor, finishing with 16 possessions. He started well, but we’re looking for Michael to maintain involvement through the whole game.     

Claremont 17.11 (113) d East Fremantle 12.5 (77)
Steven Dodd
Steven played across half-forward and spent some time running onball before moving to half-back in the last quarter, where he was very good. He spread hard from stoppages and he used the ball very well. Steven plays his best footy when he’s running hard and he probably looked his best when at half-back.

Subiaco 18.14 (122) d Peel Thunder 9.16 (80)
Des Headland
Des started the game well and got through unscathed after 12 weeks out, which was the main thing. Some of his attacks on the contest were very good and he showed good aggression and used his strength to win the ball. Des kicked two goals, one from a crumb, and it was great to have him back. He played 77 minutes and will look to build his match fitness now. 

Jesse Crichton
Jesse played mainly on the wing opposed to Shaun Hildebrandt and was beaten on the day. Jesse’s a very accountable player but he would have learnt a lot from Hildebrandt, particularly about running patterns. His use of the ball in congestion was very good and his tackling was a lot better this week. He ran and carried the ball on a couple of occasions. 

Brock O’Brien
Brock’s return was one of the most exciting things for us over the weekend and he’d lost none of his hardness or aggression. Brock played mainly across half-back, taking some very strong contested marks and providing good run and rebound out of defence. He looked sharp and quick and his attack on the contest was what we expect of him. Brock’s been best-on-track half a dozen times over the last few weeks, so he’s trained with a lot of intensity and that transferred to his game.  

South Fremantle 12.19 (91) d West Perth 3.9 (27)
Ryan Murphy
Ryan played at full forward in wet and windy conditions and had one of his best games for the season. He pushed up the ground when the ball was deep in defence and was clearly the most dominant forward on the ground, finishing with five goals. He beat his opponents, took some good contested marks and his forward pressure resulted in goals.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.