Jesse Hogan was thrilled with how Fremantle’s three tall forwards worked in tandem in their convincing 64-point win against North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
Hogan (four goals), Matthew Taberner (three) and Rory Lobb (one) combined for eight goals while also creating opportunities for smalls Lachie Schultz (three) and Michael Walters (three).
The four majors broke Hogan’s goalless run in 2020 and he said that the forward line had been working hard on their positioning.
“I’m glad JL (senior coach Justin Longmuir) persisted with the three key forwards with Lobb, Tabs and myself, it was nice to get on the end of a few,” Hogan said.
“I think our spacing was really good today with Lobb and Tabs there, they’re in the top five for contested marks between them, so if you give them space and one-on-ones, I think it can work.
“Against Richmond, we dominated them in the clearances but we weren’t able to get that last piece of the puzzle, whether it was a lead-up or maybe myself and Lobby were flying for the same ball.
“Today, we put a bit of emphasis on it. We had a good review of Richmond and we were able to fight our own battles, which as a forward line we want. We weren’t flying for the same ball.
“We’ve also got Sonny (Michael Walters), who is in ripping form and wins one-on-ones and Tabs and Lobby are marking everything.
“If we can get that spacing right, it’s a really dangerous forward line.”
But it wasn’t just the forwards that drove Freo to victory, according to Hogan, who praised the midfield and the backline.
“It was our intent, that’s where it starts, Hogan said.
“If our contested ball and work around the centre is good, then it usually flows with the rest of the game.
“Our backs were elite all game, they’ve been elite all year and our forwards were able to isolate and get on the end of a few.
“It starts in the middle but it filtered through the whole ground and all the boys were good.”
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Hogan had to battle back into the team after injuring his calf against Adelaide in round five and he feels he has plenty of room to grow despite the his excellent showing against North.
“JL just wanted to see me working offensively and defensively, putting time into both sides of my game,” Hogan said.
“It took me a while to get back in but when I came in, I just had a simple focus.
“There’s still a long way to go before we’re an elite forward line and I’m still not in the form I’d like, but today was a step forward.”
