Preview R6 2025: Richmond vs Fremantle [Gather Round]

[ignoramus]

That thought has crossed my mind and it's a little concerning. Yes I know we should expect the coaches to know better but I still think we are missing that big bodied midfielder (190+ cm) to help out our other midfielders and that's why I pegged Johnson or Jackson to fill that role. There aren't many 193cm midfielders in the game so I just can't help but feel we aren't getting the most out of Johno by playing him outside the contest.

Why do you equate “helping out our other midfielders” with getting clearances? It depends on who it is, of course, but with Serong and Brayshaw, I see the contribution of the big body of Fyfe (e.g.) to be mostly blocking/protecting the loose ball or the space for Serong to swoop, or alternatively getting a hand in or giving a good shove to disrupt oppo gets and passes. Johnno doesn’t do quite the same (because he can’t), but he looks to me to play the defensive role mostly and will accordingly be a fraction late to the loose ball when it’s “his turn”. Ideally, yes, he will get quicker both at reading and reacting, but he’s still relatively new to the inside stoppage set up and could do with a little more time to develop his craft at AFL level.

Meanwhile, Serong is no doubt great at getting clearances, but he doesn’t get heaps of clearances simply because he’s great at getting them. We set up to maximise his chances of getting them.

 

[wakojako]

Why do you equate “helping out our other midfielders” with getting clearances? It depends on who it is, of course, but with Serong and Brayshaw, I see the contribution of the big body of Fyfe (e.g.) to be mostly blocking/protecting the loose ball or the space for Serong to swoop, or alternatively getting a hand in or giving a good shove to disrupt oppo gets and passes. Johnno doesn’t do quite the same (because he can’t), but he looks to me to play the defensive role mostly and will accordingly be a fraction late to the loose ball when it’s “his turn”. Ideally, yes, he will get quicker both at reading and reacting, but he’s still relatively new to the inside stoppage set up and could do with a little more time to develop his craft at AFL level.

Meanwhile, Serong is no doubt great at getting clearances, but he doesn’t get heaps of clearances simply because he’s great at getting them. We set up to maximise his chances of getting them.

I meant if he was given the role of winning the clearance, Serong and Brayshaw would be smashed around less and thus be protected. That type of game style takes a toll on their bodies. You are right though, he is playing well as a defensive mid, I just want to see what he can do as the main ball winner!

 

[theGav56]

That thought has crossed my mind and it's a little concerning. Yes I know we should expect the coaches to know better but I still think we are missing that big bodied midfielder (190+ cm) to help out our other midfielders and that's why I pegged Johnson or Jackson to fill that role. There aren't many 193cm midfielders in the game so I just can't help but feel we aren't getting the most out of Johno by playing him outside the contest.

More teams have at least 1 + 190 cms than I expected.

It's a..... growing trend

 

[ubiquitous226]

Why do you equate “helping out our other midfielders” with getting clearances? It depends on who it is, of course, but with Serong and Brayshaw, I see the contribution of the big body of Fyfe (e.g.) to be mostly blocking/protecting the loose ball or the space for Serong to swoop, or alternatively getting a hand in or giving a good shove to disrupt oppo gets and passes. Johnno doesn’t do quite the same (because he can’t), but he looks to me to play the defensive role mostly and will accordingly be a fraction late to the loose ball when it’s “his turn”. Ideally, yes, he will get quicker both at reading and reacting, but he’s still relatively new to the inside stoppage set up and could do with a little more time to develop his craft at AFL level.

Meanwhile, Serong is no doubt great at getting clearances, but he doesn’t get heaps of clearances simply because he’s great at getting them. We set up to maximise his chances of getting them.

At least at this stage Johnson's instincts / reflexes seem a touch slow.

There was one moment against the Bulldogs he gathered the ball from a centre bounce and was working out what to do with it, and Libba reacted instinctively and slapped it out of his hands and then grabbed the loose ball for a clearance.
That stood out to me, it was probably a very brief period in reality but Libba just reacted.

 

[Michaels]

Pardon the intrusion, I come in peace!

Each week I do a podcast with an opposition supporter to discuss the upcoming game for that week, earlier this week I was joined by Drewzy of Freo Faithful to chat about our game.

Some of you may have heard of Freo Faithful, but if not and you like Freo content definitely check them out on YouTube, link to their page is in the video below.


For anyone interested, here is the preview we did of this weeks game from both sides of the coin.

Worth noting this was recorded on Tuesday so before any team news came out.

All the best for Sunday!

 

[mattis117]

I meant if he was given the role of winning the clearance, Serong and Brayshaw would be smashed around less and thus be protected. That type of game style takes a toll on their bodies. You are right though, he is playing well as a defensive mid, I just want to see what he can do as the main ball winner!

This really doesn't make sense. Serong is arguably the best contested mid in the game right now with the cleanest hands I've ever seen. Johnson blocking for Serong seems like a pretty obvious way to use Johnson?

 

[dropbear101]

johnson has been manning a lot of the opposition big bodied or athletic mids at stoppages.
for example played on harley reid in the derby.
meaning i think his role is more limiting damaging opposition clearances than winning them himself. once we win the stoppage. he pels of the get involved in the chain of possession. that been my observation. I think hes done a good job so far.

 

[Andy Brennan]

If we lose this it's time to sack the coach

 

[fnerd]

If we lose this it's time to sack the coach

for the win it is then!!

 

[Mr Cheese]

At least at this stage Johnson's instincts / reflexes seem a touch slow.

There was one moment against the Bulldogs he gathered the ball from a centre bounce and was working out what to do with it, and Libba reacted instinctively and slapped it out of his hands and then grabbed the loose ball for a clearance.
That stood out to me, it was probably a very brief period in reality but Libba just reacted.

Libba's extraordinary in close though; Johnsons's not the first guy he's going to make look slow (not that he doesn't need to improve this). Johnson's burst impressed me; he looks like he's got quicker by foot, and is growing nicely I think. He'll be a mainstay of that midfield for a while - a bit like Suban but bigger, quicker and less holding the balls.

 

[ubiquitous226]

Libba's extraordinary in close though; Johnsons's not the first guy he's going to make look slow (not that he doesn't need to improve this). Johnson's burst impressed me; he looks like he's got quicker by foot, and is growing nicely I think. He'll be a mainstay of that midfield for a while - a bit like Suban but bigger, quicker and less holding the balls.

Oh Libba is terrific in that space, this moment was just outside of the "contest" in my mind, it was that next possession and Johnson just paused ever so slightly to make a decision and Libba got a hand in.

I think Johnson thought he would be tackled but could get the ball away, but Libba reacted.
It wasn't so much about speed, it was just decision making.

It's not a big problem, it just highlighted for me something I'd seen from Johnson a little.

 

[noise36]

Danger game! So glad to see Young and Darcy back, the win and no injuries please.

 

[DocT]

Danger game! So glad to see Young and Darcy back, the win and no injuries please.

I think it's a great game to bring Darcy and Young back in. I think we can do both of
1. Not taking the win for granted and
2. Managing their minutes.

In terms of getting them both back up to AFL speed I think that happens best playing vs Richmond than another WAFL week.

 

[Tonga Bob]

Great write up ubiquitous226!

Who wants to volunteer for next week's preview vs Melbourne?

 

[dockerfemme]

Great write up ubiquitous226!

Who wants to volunteer for next week's preview vs Melbourne?

You never stop working Tonga Bob

 

[Sir Deadly]

It’s 27 degrees at 8:30 with not a single cloud in the sky. Gonna be bloody hot at the ground, I’ve already started hydrating!

 

[Ghost Pig]

Deadly has returned to the warren, don't be surprised if he pops up for a few today. Lets funkin' goooo!!!!

 

[chaosball32]

Two wooden spoon fancies as our next opponents, need a few percentage boosters to make up for the Geelong thrashing in R1.

This game has Treacy bag written all over it.

 

[2big2strom]

All I want is the 4 points and no injuries. It's so bloody hot my mates and I are strategising for watching the full game in full sun, let alone freaking running around in it for 3 hours. Womby to kick 4 is my dream

 

[Bud]

60 point margin today.. we need to build percentage

 

[Raz]

will watch the replay later after work
Well done to Treacy !