After the Game v Western Bulldogs, Rd 7 2024 - With Snaps Truly

Dear friends,

Firstly. What’s wrong? In recent days you’ve seemed testy and ill at ease.

And I cannot for the life of me work out why; although I must admit I wasn’t quite myself last weekend.

A strange and sudden foreboding enveloped me and I apparently slipped into the unconscious world of the amnesiac. Even today I have no recollection of the events that may, or may not, have unfolded over those two days.

I remember nothing at all.

Was I pleasant company?

Did I behave well?

I can tell you though, that as of today, I am quite recovered and refreshed and preparing for a Dockers triumph over the Bulldogs; particularly deserving after our gallant but unrewarded trip to Adelaide.

Which of course was our last outing wasn’t it?

No matter.

So, whatever has troubled you, be it a return of your gout or that septic carbuncle, cheer up. The events that caused you such evident distress, either never happened or never will again.

As sure as a Bailey Banfield kick on goal.

I have for some time now been urging you to Remember The Name and tonight he implanted it firmly on the collective consciousness.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We got underway with a moving ANZAC ceremony and a freewheeling Ode of Remembrance which may well have been entitled Lest We Forget the words.

In fact, memory seems to be a recurring theme this week. Rory Lobb for instance knew he’d been here before but couldn’t quite work out why.

I wish we’d stop booing Rory. It’s like booing a labrador.

Luke Jackson got us off to a flier and Hayden Young followed it up. West replied for the Bulldogs but in stepped Remember The Name with the first of his three goals.

By the way, I don’t think it was Rory Lobb who was responsible for Cody Weightman going off with a serious elbow injury, but he was close enough to be a person of interest.

Special mention to the irrepressible Tom Emmett. If you see him running for a bus, for God’s sake get out of the way.

The Bullies fired back with a couple of quick goals, but a Treacy mark and goal on the siren gave Freo an eight point advantage.

I don’t think anyone says nip and tuck anymore, but that’s how it was in the second quarter. Pretty much goal for goal. The Bulldogs pinched the lead a couple of times, only to lose it moments later. Goals to the debutant Voss and then Treacy kept us just in front at the half.

Nat Fyfe, was playing a blinder in the middle. His handball to advantage was enormous and it was there Freo began to assert some authority.

By foot? Well to be frank, I think it’s about time he came clean and revealed his right leg is now only a hessian bag with a brick in it; but he still managed to produce a snap that extended the lead to a match high twelve points.

The fans went wild.

The Bullies had their chances but struggled to take them, as Freo headed for home with a five point advantage.

I was feeling strangely calm. Those around me weren’t. I do think it might be worthwhile for the AFL to consider opening its concussion protocols to spectators.

It would take something incredible to break the game open.

And I don’t think many of you thought that man would be Remember The Name Banfield. Suddenly the ball was chasing him around and he had no choice but to attach himself to it.

Little Pav, Cooper Simpson in his very first game, showed great composure to deliver the ball to him and he calmly slotted the goal to provide some breathing space.

Did we imagine that moments later he would bang one through from outside 50?
I don’t think we did.

In an inspired two minutes Remember The Name had effectively won the game.

With Serong complementing the Fyfe dominance out of the middle Freo were getting repeated looks and when Michael Walters marked and goaled the margin had blown out to 24 points.

Perhaps unlike recent times, Freo had saved its best til last.

We’re back in the eight.

As for the other team? Can anyone tell me why Harley Reid isn’t playing for the Eagles against Gold Coast?

Was he dropped after last week?

Did I miss something?

By our multi-talented and amazingly insightful footy scribe, SNAPS TRULY. Snaps has seen and done it all. He may or may not have been a fringe player at Fremantle. Don’t miss Snaps’ report after each Freo Dockers match here on the Shipping News throughout the 2024 season.

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