Fremantle have raced out of the blocks to start the 2022 season, and one stat from Champion Data shows that this form could be attributed to a full team effort on defence.
After five rounds, excluding Monday’s Hawthorn v Geelong game, Fremantle lead the AFL in Champion Data’s Pressure Factor statistic, which measures the amount of pressure applied at every opportunity during a game.
The complicated stat combines tackling – where Fremantle rank fourth in 2022 – as well as smothers, chasing and corralling pressure when the opposition have the ball.
Fremantle ranked 14th in the stat in 2021, with premiership winners Melbourne leading the way for the AFL.
Freo also ranked 17th in the stat in 2016, 2017 and 2019 after ranking fifth in 2015 when winning the minor premiership and fourth in 2014 and 2013.
How Fremantle have ranked for Pressure Factor since 2013
2021 - 14th
2020 - 11th
2019 - 17th
2018 - 15th
2017 - 17th
2016 - 17th
2015 - 5th
2014 - 4th
2013 - 4th
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According to Champion Data, Caleb Serong leads the way for Fremantle for total pressure applied, followed by fellow mids Andrew Brayshaw and Will Brodie, then forwards Sam Switkowski and Lachie Schultz.
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Speaking on the First Crack podcast, Fox Footy analyst Leigh Montagna said Freo’s team defence made them the ‘real deal’ to contend for finals.
The comments come following Fremantle’s 48-point win against Essendon at Marvel Stadium, where Freo conceded just 59 points – their third consecutive week under 60.
Montagna highlighted that Fremantle ranks the best in the league statistically on defence, with plenty of room to improve on the attack (10th) and with their clearance work (15th).
“You talk about building a brand off the back of defence and Justin Longmuir did that,” Montagna said.
“They still have some work to do, but without the footy, they are rock solid this year. They have a back six now that are playing a fair bit of footy together, they have a really strong team defence system that has been ingrained in them and now they’re adding the offence.
“There’s still a way to go, the clearance was still a strength of theirs last year, but they’re missing Nat Fyfe. David Mundy and Caleb Serong have missed a few games.
“Last year they kicked 100 points once, now they’ve kicked it twice in three weeks and they’re starting to improve with their (offensive) numbers. Once their clearance game returns, which will come back with some continuity with their midfield group as well, watch out.
“I think they are the real deal this year, Fremantle. Not necessarily to win it, but to play finals. I think the way they are playing stacks up. For them to put the foot on the gas in the third quarter and blow Essendon off the park was a really strong sign.”
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