MATCH REPORT
RAC Derby domination as Freo put Eagles to the sword

Debutant Neil Erasmus had his first taste of a Freo win at the RAC Derby at Optus Stadium on Sunday.  

The young gun was pick no. 10 in the 2021 National Draft and says it was great to be able to help the team get the 55-point win to West Coast.  

Erasmus finished the game with 18 disposals and 229 metres gained.  

“It was great to get the four points,” Erasmus said. 

“I thought the boys put in a really even effort and it was good to be out there and get a feel of things and I enjoyed it a lot.  

02:03

'I thought the boys put in a really even effort' | Neil Erasmus

We spoke to Neil Erasmus after our win against West Coast in round three

Erasmus spoke about how it was like to attend centre bounces at an AFL level.  

“It was really quick and obviously Nic Naitanui is pretty strong,” said Erasmus.  

“At the centre bounces, I thought we just had to play a bit more defensively and around the ground. 

“I thought we were the fitter team, so we just ran well and also used the ball well. 

“We had good ball movements, so we kept the ball in our hands a bit longer and just got them on the back foot.” 

Erasmus emphasised the focus on executing the basics well on the field after Freo lost by 10-points to St. Kilda in round two.  

“The team were a bit disappointed last week on the execution of the basics, so this week there was a big emphasis on just doing the basics well and getting ground balls and just clean hands and buff that pressure,” Erasmus said.  

“It was good to get out there, it was good conditions, so there was nothing to blame missed skills on. 

“I think my hands were alright and still have a way to go.” 

After missing out on the first two rounds of the 2022 AFL season, Erasmus said he was thankful to debut in front of a home crowd and could hear the loud chants of his family and friends across the stadium.  

“It was really good, I tried to stay focused but in the last quarter, especially when you can just hear them,” said Erasmus.  

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“There would’ve been quite a lot of mates in that little pocket behind the goals there and they were just doing that song, so it was hard to ignore but thanks for their support, they’ve been really good along the way with heaps of messages, so it’s really good.”