Lachie Neale debuted in the anticipated round four match against St Kilda in 2012
It’s been more than three years since Fremantle beat St Kilda in Melbourne.
The last time Fremantle got up against the Saints at Etihad Stadium was Ross Lyon’s fourth game in charge of the club.
Football fans across the country had pencilled in the round four clash as one to watch, as Lyon fronted up to Saints fans for the first time since his departure from St Kilda.
Both sides came into the match with two wins from their opening three games, but Freo were considered a good chance to defeat the Saints.
The match was Lachie Neale’s first for the club, coming 34 days before his 19th birthday.
Neale said he had a nervous couple of days in the lead up to the match, especially given the added attention it received in the media.
“The media built that game a fair bit. It was in front of the whole footy world … it did feel like a massive game,” he said.
“I didn’t actually find out until Thursday, we flew out on the Wednesday and I told my family I might be a chance of playing.
“Then, on Thursday night, I spoke to Chris Bond and Ross, so I got the call that said I’d be playing … from there it was all a bit of a blur.”
The game had plenty of twists and turns, with the lead changing hands on nine occasions. Fremantle’s 14-point three-quarter time lead was the biggest of the night.
Neale came on as the substitute during the second half, gathering seven disposals from just 29 per cent of game time
He said he found it difficult to relax on the bench, knowing he could be called upon at any time.
“I came on as the sub with about 10 minutes to go in the third quarter and it was all very exciting,” he said.
“I was a bit restless on the bench and, once I got on, I ran around like a headless chook.
“I had seven handballs, so I didn’t get a kick in my first game.”
The Freo midfield, minus Nat Fyfe, all had an impact on the night, while Lyon’s strong defensive reputation proved well-founded as Saints captain Nick Riewoldt was held to just one goal.
A five-goal-to-three third quarter set up the 14.8 (92) to 11.13 (79) win for the Dockers and cemented the team’s spot in the top eight.
Talking Points ahead of Saints
Neale said Lyon’s arrival at Fremantle, which happened just a few months before his own, was a big moment for the club.
“It was a really great game to be involved in, and thankfully for Ross we got the win,” he said.
“I know since Ross came through the door, he has been driving really high standards and a strong culture around here.
“We don’t like to make excuses about home and away, and where we are playing. It’s anywhere, anytime.”
Neale said he received a clear message very early from Lyon during his first game, in which he lined up on childhood hero Brendon Goddard before one centre bounce.
“I actually got told off for lining up on a wing on Goddard, and the message came out from Ross saying ‘get off the wing and go forward,” he said.
“Being with those guys so early on as an 18-year-old, it was only the year before that I used to go and watch those guys play and idolise them.”
Fremantle went on to play in the finals in 2012, defeating Geelong at the MCG in the Second Elimination Final before Adelaide ended their season a week later.
Fremantle will be hoping it can turn around its recent form against the Saints in Melbourne when the two teams clash in a twilight game this Sunday.
The 'F' word is focus, not finals
Neale said a lot of time would have to be spent on stopping St Kilda’s young midfield stars.
“The last couple of times, we have been comprehensively beaten, but for us we are working really strongly on our footy,” he said.
“We just have to work on our footy through our ball movement and our stoppages.
“They do have a strong midfield with Jack Steven and David Armitage leading the way in there, so stopping those guys will go a long way as well.”
