In a column in The West Australian on Thursday, Sunday Times sports editor Glen Quartermain has praised Freo’s defence, describing them as ‘junkyard dogs’.
He said there was ‘no easy ball’ for opposition forwards, labelling Freo’s back six as ‘sleek, athletic, quick and not afraid to bare their teeth’.
He described key defenders Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling as the leaders in the backline.
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“(Pearce is) equal fourth for intercepts with only Collingwood’s Darcy Moore, Hawthorn’s James Sicily and West Coast’s Shannon Hurn ahead of him, (he) averages 7.3 contested possessions and 4.9 ground ball gets per game on the AFL Stats Pro ratings,” wrote Quartermain in The West Australian.
“Two weeks ago, (Hamling) kept Western Bulldog Aaron Naughton goalless, the same player who took nine contested marks against Richmond last round.
“Hamling also leads the AFL in one percenters (knocks ons, spoils, smothers, shepherds) at 62 and had 12 against the Crows.”
The defence runs deep according to Quartermain, with intercepting ability and rebound from half back.
“Luke Ryan is like an unopened letter — he returns to sender. He ranks equal fourth in the AFL for intercepts, with 61, two ahead of West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern. He uses it in elite fashion too, ranked 10th for efficiency,” Quartermain said.
“Nathan Wilson continues to show why the Dockers were so keen to prise him from Greater Western Sydney. He averages 483.1m gained and 5.7 rebound 50s, cutting through midfields with a scything right foot.
“The support case is rich too with Ethan Hughes and Ryan Nyhuis capable of stopping and creating. Nyhuis (eighth for efficiency) kept Eddie Betts honest on Sunday.”
