Fremantles lack of scoring power

[Silencer83]

I acknowledge that Fremantle was 8th for scoring at the end of Round 8. They were only 79 points behind Richmond, who were the 2nd most offensive side at the end of Round 8. I also acknowledge that they had two games impacted by heavy rain while other teams above them in scoring like Sydney, Carlton, Geelong and Richmond did not.

If these results belonged to Geelong or Brisbane for example, then I would not have concerns. However, Fremantle have form for completely drying up on scoring in games as the season goes on. Here are last year’s bottom 10 and the frequency of scoring less than 60 points in 2021:

9. West Coast: 4 times
10. St Kilda: 4 times
11. Fremantle: 6 times
12. Richmond: 4 times
13. Carlton: 3 times
14. Hawthorn: 5 times
15. Adelaide: 7 times
16. Gold Coast: 11 times
17. Collingwood: 6 times
18. North Melbourne: 8 times

If you extend the cut-off to below 70 points, then you’ll get:

9. West Coast: 7 times
10. St Kilda: 9 times
11. Fremantle: 11 times
12. Richmond: 7 times
13. Carlton: 6 times
14. Hawthorn: 9 times
15. Adelaide: 9 times
16. Gold Coast: 13 times
17. Collingwood: 11 times
18. North Melbourne: 12 times

Additional notes:

• After their Round 14 bye last year, they only had 3 games above 70 points.
• After their Round 12 bye in 2019, they had only 4 scores above 70 points.
• After their by in 2020, they only could manage 1 score above 55 points.

This is a side that has a history of struggling to score. They are already up to 4 scores below 70 points this year. St Kilda and Bulldogs are the only other sides in the top 10 that have 3 scores below 70. Ladder leaders Melbourne and Brisbane have 1 and 0 scores below 70 respectively.

I’m worried that the last fortnight is the start of yet another low-scoring Fremantle side. If they genuinely want to be contenders, then they need to score more than what they produced regardless of whether it’s raining or not. Collingwood and Gold Coast scored 80 points and 69 points respectively in the same conditions. Why couldn’t they?

Melbourne is the benchmark and they have only conceded below 80 points 9 times in two years. Their defence has not conceded above 100 points since 2019 and conceded above 90 points only once since 2019 (Adelaide in 2021). If offensive sides are already struggling to score in both the H&A season and finals, then I don’t know what’ll happen to sides that struggle to score.

Absolutely, I think a lot of supporters have the same concerns that the first 8 rounds were a false dawn.

We are frustrated that a low impact player like Bailey Banfield keeps getting games.

Lachie Schultz has cooled after tearing it up early.

Michael Frederick still has the same issues he started his career with of dropping marks and fumbling every ball.

Our pressure forwards don't hit the scoreboard.

Rory Lobb is one of the laziest forwards I have seen and seems content to barely try.

Matt Taberner has had a good year before injury but was invisible as a factor last weekend.

It is a concern as the players in the WAFL affiliate side (Peel) have been scoring (Amiss, Sturt and Treacy) but Amiss is a first year player and now out indefinitely, Sturt seems to be out of favour with the coaches and Treacy has failed to be a consistent scoring threat so far at AFL level.

 

[Tugga27]

Freo's game revolves around their excellent backline.
They've never really had a class key forward since Pav.

Tabs is always injured and Lobb has the heart of a caraway seed.

They pretty much have to manufacture goals rather than hit up key forwards.
They rely on quick movement and the wet conditions doesn't help their game style.

Can't see them beating Melbourne but reckon they will get the Lions at home.
If it's dry.

 

[gbatman]

Fremantle averaging a fraction over 11 goals a game, it's well in the bottom half. They started the season so well but a tough run coming. Just about guaranteed to drop out of the top 4. They need a few wins over some of the good sides they have coming up.

Melbourne, Lions, Hawthorn, Carlton, Port, Saints, Swans, Richmond, Melbourne again, Bulldogs and a couple of easy games. Freo have copped a belting with this draw coming home.

They defend well. But defending a lot without scoring is exhausting, especially in modern team defensive footy. The ability to score, lock it forward and have shots gives teams a rest and limits defensive running. They could be running out of gas.

 

[Priddis Is Done]

Some things never change

 

[nurries]

Some things never change

View attachment 1409420

Yep

Although you forgot the opposition percentage build dynasty of WC between Round 5 2022 up to date

 

[Lsta062]

Absolutely, I think a lot of supporters have the same concerns that the first 8 rounds were a false dawn.

We are frustrated that a low impact player like Bailey Banfield keeps getting games.

Lachie Schultz has cooled after tearing it up early.

Michael Frederick still has the same issues he started his career with of dropping marks and fumbling every ball.

Our pressure forwards don't hit the scoreboard.

Rory Lobb is one of the laziest forwards I have seen and seems content to barely try.

Matt Taberner has had a good year before injury but was invisible as a factor last weekend.

It is a concern as the players in the WAFL affiliate side (Peel) have been scoring (Amiss, Sturt and Treacy) but Amiss is a first year player and now out indefinitely, Sturt seems to be out of favour with the coaches and Treacy has failed to be a consistent scoring threat so far at AFL level.

Yeah I can see where you’re coming from. The positive though is that Fremantle’s midfield is one of the best in the competition even without Fyfe. It can be pretty difficult assembling a top-tier midfield, so I think that there is something to work with

 

[Achin joints]

Some things never change

View attachment 1409420

We'll take it ,where's our cup?

 

[Freomaniac]

No, I'm talking about how Fremantle has scored only 780 points this year, 12th highest in the league, while Gold Coast has scored 787 points.

Now did you watch the demons vs Dockers game at the MCG?

Freo scored 14.10.94 and won.

Unless you have been drunk or knocked out with a didgeridoo LoL

 

[maskmcgee]

Now did you watch the demons vs Dockers game at the MCG?

Freo scored 14.10.94 and won

Couldn't reach 100 points lowest winning score of the round, Gold Coast move even further ahead of you.
And again scored 6 goals over 3 quarters, cannot score consistently. Even we scored more consistently against Melbourne.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Couldn't reach 100 points lowest winning score of the round, Gold Coast move even further ahead of you.
And again scored 6 goals over 3 quarters, cannot score consistently. Even we scored more consistently against Melbourne.

Note: score more consistently like bombers.

 

[maskmcgee]

Note: score more consistently like bombers.

I like how much of that quote you ignored, accepting I'm right

 

[HairyO]

I like how much of that quote you ignored, accepting I'm right

No. They just mocked Essendon. Deservedly.

 

[Arr0w]

Couldn't reach 100 points lowest winning score of the round, Gold Coast move even further ahead of you.
And again scored 6 goals over 3 quarters, cannot score consistently. Even we scored more consistently against Melbourne.

Dockers have conceded the lowest points against in the league, it's not all about how many goals you can score

 

[LessThanJake]

Dockers have conceded the lowest points against in the league, it's not all about how many goals you can score

If Freo actually ever get consistently effective going into forward 50, everyone should be scared

 

[Arr0w]

If Freo actually ever get consistently effective going into forward 50, everyone should be scared

A few things never change when it comes to identifying the better sides, win the contested possession count and the rest normally plays out well

 

[maskmcgee]

Dockers have conceded the lowest points against in the league, it's not all about how many goals you can score

The same argument used on page 1 of this thread about how you can't win a premiership without being able to score too.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Dockers have conceded the lowest points against in the league, it's not all about how many goals you can score

Yup. Sometimes you have to try to out score your opponents, other times you have to try and concede less than them. Same end result but different process

 

[Freomaniac]

Dockers have conceded the lowest points against in the league, it's not all about how many goals you can score

Ignore the Essendon poster. Obviously the poster is racist to Ross Lyon footy or low scoring games.

I don't care what anyone says. If your team kicks 14.10.94 on grand final day and you still win easily by 5-8 goals, it's still a good game.

 

[Freomaniac]

The same argument used on page 1 of this thread about how you can't win a premiership without being able to score too.

Then explain why Freo scored over 100 points vs your mob early in the season, on your land? LoL

 

[boncer34]

Ignore the Essendon poster. Obviously the poster is racist to Ross Lyon footy or low scoring games.

I don't care what anyone says. If your team kicks 14.10.94 on grand final day and you still win easily by 5-8 goals, it's still a good game.

Seconds later

Then explain why Freo scored over 100 points vs your mob early in the season, on your land? LoL

 

[Piggy Smalls]

Couldn't reach 100 points lowest winning score of the round, Gold Coast move even further ahead of you.
And again scored 6 goals over 3 quarters, cannot score consistently. Even we scored more consistently against Melbourne.

One thing I can say for certain is that Gold Coast have moved ahead of Essendon in the race to win a final first.

 

[maskmcgee]

Then explain why Freo scored over 100 points vs your mob early in the season, on your land? LoL

So where's your 2015 premiership then?

 

[Scythe94]

Couldn't reach 100 points lowest winning score of the round, Gold Coast move even further ahead of you.
And again scored 6 goals over 3 quarters, cannot score consistently. Even we scored more consistently against Melbourne.

Only the second team to score above 90 against Melbourne since Round 22, 2019. Your argument is looking a bit silly here.

 

[Freomaniac]

So where's your 2015 premiership then?

Didn't win the 2015 Premiership. Hawks won it.

Freo won the 2015 minor premiership.

 

[maskmcgee]

Didn't win the 2915 Premiership.

Oh because you didn't score more than the opposistion?