In the latest episode of The Purple Patch, Duck & Oz run through the matchups they are most looking forward to in Freo’s clash against Geelong at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
The Purple Patch is the official Fremantle podcast that comes out every Friday and previews the game each week.
Hosts Duck and Oz, from The Purple Reign podcast, are two of the club’s biggest fans and provide great insight to each game from a fan perspective.
Jason Carter v Gary Ablett Jnr
For the backline we could obviously look at Joel Hamling v Tom Hawkins, but that’s been well covered in other match previews.
Instead, let’s look at Carter, who is playing his first AFL game and is Fremantle’s first NGA player.
Carter can provide a lot of run and carry off the half-back flank and he’s pretty explosive. With Luke Ryan and Nathan Wilson out of the team, we can see Carter really using his run and dash.
Carter may be matched up on Gary Ablett Jnr, and we hope he gets that chance. Ablett is obviously pretty handy, he’s kicked 29 goals this season, he’s had 121 score involvements and 17 goals assists. His skills across the half forward flank are pretty awesome. While we doubt they will play too much on each other, Freo will need to negate Ablett’s impact if they are to going to get the points.
Andrew Brayshaw v Joel Selwood
We call this one the master and the apprentice.
Brayshaw was clearly the best player for Fremantle at the weekend against the Bulldogs with three goals and 25 disposals. He’s played 35 AFL games compared to 288 for Selwood.
Physically they match up nicely. Both are at 84kg and there’s only 1cm difference in height. They’re both fearless and attack the ball, and we would like to see Brayshaw really establish himself physically here.
Selwood has the advantage in disposals - 22 vs 17 per game - but with Brayshaw’s recent move into the middle, we think he can step up and deliver here.
Bailey Banfield v Tom Stewart
Stewart is a rebounding half back flanker. He’s an All Australian and was voted the best young player in 2018 by the AFL Coaches Association.
He averages 23 disposals at 79 per cent and with an average of eight marks per game, he could eat-up Freo’s inside 50s.
Banfield has been killing it at WAFL level in the midfield. If Banfield plays as a defensive half-forward, he’ll hopefully be able to negate Stewart’s influence.
Banfield has a big motor on him and if he can lock down on Stewart, Freo will be better able to lock it in the forward line and get those repeat entries.
