Michael Walters is expecting a big challenge from Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday, as Freo looks for a repeat result of their one-point win against the Lions in 2019.
Walters, who kicked the winning point after the siren in 2019, said Brisbane would look to out-run Freo and posed a challenge all across the ground.
“With Brisbane, you definitely plan for their run and gun type of footy,” Walters told SEN.
“They love to kick to a contest and (they have) a lot of crumbers in the midfield.
“They also have speedy half forwards and forward pocket in (Charlie) Cameron getting to the crumb as well.
“We need to be ready for that, we need to make sure we try and negate their run at the footy.”
Walters expects a familiar face to pose as the biggest threat to Freo.
“(We need to) negate Lachie Neale, who I know very well and I know he loves to get those little one-twos and also short kicks,” Walters said.
“He’s a strong contested player and he’s also a team player as well, so there’s no doubt he’s going to try and bring his teammates into the game.”
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The versatile forward/midfielder said his default position would be up front in 2020.
“I think my role will be the same as last year, playing in the forward line but then, if I do get shut down in the forward line, I can also slide up into the midfield and free myself up and get a bit of the footy,” Walters said.
“Whenever I’m struggling in the forward line, there’s no doubt I can go through the midfield.
“Vice versa, a lot of players can do the same thing in (midfielders) David Mundy, Nat Fyfe and Andy Brayshaw at times as well.”
While Walters was the match-winner in their last meeting, he joked that he hoped Brisbane would let him run freely on Saturday.
“I hope no-one comes to me and they just go to Fyfey and Dave,” he said.
