After The Game v Sydney - With Grumbles

O Snaps, Snaps, wherefore art thou Snaps?

As our Editor advised readers in Friday’s edition of The Weekly Edition of Fremantle Shipping News, after what our regular footy scribe, SNAPS TRULY, has been put through over the first 8 rounds of the ‘23 AFL season, it became necessary to grant him compassionate leave to attend a DOCKER REEDUCATION CAMP in Italy.

To many this may have seemed a little harsh, a tad unnecessary, cruel even … but Snaps, mate, the BACK TO THE FUTURE plan worked a treat at the SCG today.

On the strength of today’s win at the SCG, something of a hoodoo ground for the Dockers having won there only once since 2011, the BACK TO THE FUTURE plan was a tactical triumph. The coded signs held aloft near the boundary during the second term, saying ‘REMEMBER 22’, plainly inspired the players to great heights.

May the reeducation of the Dockers continue apace. More Sangiovese, more caprese salad, more Fra Lippi. And I’m sure the hinted at audience with Il Papa would have had something to do with it too.

In the result, annoyingly, I have little to grumble about.

On my last visit to the SCG, BC, I watched a Freo v Swans game from a Sydney box with a couple old mates, one a former Sydney board director, and was obliged politely to sit there and admire the merciless thrashing Swans handed out. How sweet it would have been to raise the scarf in victory today.

Luke Jackson is a star. Down back, holding crucial marks, roving his own taps, curling and curving and snapping goals truly. Where did he come from? Well, Melbourne’s premiership footy team actually. But now a Freo Docker forever. Jacko’s second quarter was one for the ages.

Darc, perhaps the best man over four quarters, stood tall all day. The big difference today was that the midfielders took advantage of the big man’s work.

Jaeger O’Meara gets better every game. Andy was everywhere. Caleb even more so. Looked like they were back in 2022.

Just like the backs. Alex Pearce totally blanketed the great Buddy. Coxy didn’t miss a mark. Luke Ryan was an impressive quarterback. And I have to say that if we’re ever inclined to grumble about Walks, not today. A master of the soft shoe shuffle. Apart from bemusedly being caught red-handed holding the ball in the last when the game was all but over.

And Jordan Clark – what a season he’s having. Vying for MVP with Caleb Serong and Darc so far this season.

Have I missed any defenders? Oh yes, I have. Hayden Young returning to his best. And Aishy played as beautifully as ever!

The forward line, at long last, is showing signs of taking shape. We’ve all been waiting to see what it might look like. Well today Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy gave us a vision of the future. Silk and granite. The perfect combo. Switter and Shooter on the sides were irrepressible. Add in Freddy and Bailey Banfield and the Dockers look a bit like a goal kicking machine. And today they put over 100 points on the scoreboard to prove it. All Sonny Walters had to do was watch on admiringly, extending the occasional congratulatory tap on the back to one of his team mates, which he did admirably.

And Hughesy, Neil Erasmus and Drizz O’Driscoll were there when needed, but mostly were a little distracted by their discussion as to which of them should vacate the field at the three quarter break for Nat. Erasmus, who had played a very consistent game to that point, generously offered up his spot.

Nat Fyfe, as the tactical sub, was tactically brilliant. He immediately gave it to the Sydney boys and attracted a crowd every time he went near the ball, earning a number of free kicks in the process. Clever.

In the end a well deserved 17 point win.

No grumbles from me really; oh well, can’t help myself, just two.Couldn’t believe Jye Amiss missed those two set shots at the end of the second! But all is forgiven, he made up for them later with a strong marking game and a couple goals.

* By Grumbles filling in for Snaps Truly

* Snaps Truly is our multi-talented and amazingly insightful regular footy scribe. Snaps has seen and done it all. He may or may not have been a fringe player at Fremantle. Who knows? Don’t miss Snaps’ report after each Freo Dockers match throughout the season.

** In case you missed SNAPS’ earlier match reports, here they are.

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