Fremantle defender Luke Ryan has revealed the clear message backline coach Matthew Boyd enforced on his group ahead of their one-point win over Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.
Heading into the game without captain Alex Pearce, who fractured his arm last week, Ryan explains how they covered Pearce’s leadership on the day against the ladder-leader Swans.
“Boydy was really big on it, Moose (Pearce) was getting around us, and we said ‘It’s not on one person, it’s on everyone to just lift five per cent, not in our effort, in our voice and leadership’,” Ryan said.
“I thought everyone did that today and it’s a big part of why we got the job done.”
Ryan, who was his ever-reliable self with 26 disposals and eight marks, praised the team’s performance to secure the win.
“It is the best win I’ve been a part of,” he said.
“The boys had an outstanding game…that was our best four-quarter performance.
“We knew they were going to come, they are an unbelievable side, so for us to hold on and win after a kick after the siren, we’ll take it.
“It was an unbelievable win."
The All-Australian defender credited a ‘back pocket’ of Freo fans at the SCG for helping get Freo over the line.
“Once they (Sydney) kicked one or two in a row it felt like they were coming down on us, the crowd, but we had a good support in that back pocket and we were pretty loud as well. So a shout out to them,” he said.
“You could really hear them, they got us up and going, and they definitely helped that’s for sure.
“We always knew we could do it, anyone can beat anyone on any day.
“Last time we played them we shot ourselves in the foot by missing opportunities.
“We came in with a plan, we executed it and we got the four points.”
Next week Freo take on Richmond in a Saturday night clash at Optus Stadium. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
