Fremantle left it all out on the track on Wednesday. Read about all the key points and moments from the ‘Purple vs White’ match sim below.
COX’S ‘TOUGH’ DECISION
With what felt like a four-goal breeze to the western end of Victor George Kailis Oval, Brennan Cox stepped up for the White team for the toss and made his teammates sweat as he jokingly drew out his decision before pointing down breeze to huge cheers. ‘I knew I wouldn’t let yas down’ he joked as both teams ran to their positions.
AN EVEN CONTEST
After a one-sided affair last Friday, it couldn’t have been any closer with the ‘White’ team running out one-point winners.
A constant breeze of around 50km/h made it tough for both teams, and it was the Purple team kicking with the wind in the final term looking to overcome a two-goal deficit.
Trailing by two-points with 30 seconds on the clock, Neil Erasmus took his chance with a snap on goal under pressure from the pocket, but it missed to the right, allowing Nathan Wilson to deliver long to the flank from the kick-in to ice the game.
MID BATTLE
Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Neil Erasmus and Mitch Crowden lined up for Purple while Lloyd Meek, Nathan O’Driscoll, Will Brodie and Andrew Brayshaw were in the middle for White.
Like last Friday, Meek halved the battle with Darcy and kicked a goal after an impressive mark and set shot to give White a valuable goal into the wind.After playing on the wing throughout January to minimise contact to a healing finger, Serong returned to the midfield and was a clear standout for Purple.
Brodie impressed for White with clean hands in the midfield and in his ability to impact the scoreboard with two goals. His second came from a clever ‘shark’ of a Darcy hitout deep in White’s attacking 50, quickly snapping as he raced out of the stoppage.
OUTSIDERS
Playing for White, Darcy Tucker moved from the inside to the outside and continued to have an impact with a goal, while his most impressive moment came when evading two players on the forward flank to deliver to Brodie in space, who kicked truly on the run from 50m.
Blake Acres was strong on the outside for Purple, especially with his tackling and defensive pressure.
SUPER SWITTA
Sam Switkowski performed well at half forward, with brief appearances in the midfield. He had a moment of brilliance in the forward pocket, dancing around a handful of defenders to open up the angle and snap an important goal for Purple while kicking into the wind. His was then ruthless in a one-on-one with Brayshaw at half back, spoiling a mark, following up with a tackle, winning the football and delivering to Serong in space – eventually leading to Chapman’s goal.
AND SUPER SCHULTZ
There was a trademark Lachie Schultz play as he smothered Erasmus in his forward 50 before winning the ball to deliver to Tucker, who snapped the goal. As impressive as Tucker's goal was, it was Schultz the White team rushed towards to celebrate the effort.
BIG GOALS
With a big breeze to one end came a handful of goals from range. Cox won the award for biggest roost with a goal from 65m, while Heath Chapman Connor Blakely and Joel Western also goaled from outside 50.
Western's second was from close range and came on the back of some good work up the ground from Michael Walters, Mitch Crowden and Serong, with Western crumbing skilfully in the play.
Other goal scoreers included Walters, Rory Lobb, Sam Sturt and Travis Colyer, who kicked the winner for White after a big burst of speed to goal on the run.
TABERNER’S BACK
Key forward Matt Taberner made an important step forward with his recovery after undergoing ankle surgery in September. He took part in his first match sim of the summer, playing the first half before running laps for the second. He led beautifully to mark on the end of a great run of play from Switskowski, Erasmus and Serong, but was too far out to score into the strong breeze.
JL’s PRIDE
Senior coach Justin Longmuir spoke briefly to the group after the siren, praising the team for their work since returning in early January.
“We’ve taken a big step forward in the post-Christmas period, it’s been a great training block. Now rest up on the break as when we return we’ll be in season mode,” he said.
