After The Game v Hawthorn, Rd 18 2024

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Last week, The West Australian newspaper – owned by Seven West Media – decided to humiliate departing West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson.

Why?

Well, the day before, indeed on the day he was sacked, Simpson dared to comment on the newspaper’s unrelenting criticism of his players and pointedly asked its reporters to remember “we’re human and we have families.”

The next day, The West responded with a grotesque front page which tallied the miserable run of Eagles defeats of recent seasons – whilst ignoring the 2018 premiership win – and sent Simpson on his way with a “See ya Simmo” sneer.

It was pathetic. And profoundly disrespectful.

And I only mention it, because in the Saturday edition of the newspaper, The West now decided to back Freo. “The West is purple. Why the best era in Docker history, may just be beginning.”

Frankly, we should tell them to get f#@*ed.

Can I say that here?

We Freo fans need to be damn suspicious. The West Australian is like the least sincere friend you ever had; there for the good times only.

The friend who once tried to pash your girlfriend while you were at the bar getting a round of drinks, after he claimed he’d forgotten his wallet.

The friend who once backed his car into your Mum’s letterbox and claimed you did it. And she still believes him.

Don’t be mates with The West.

Read The Shipping News instead.

This was going to be quite the challenge. Hawthorn in Launceston.

There was lots to like early. Freo applied exceptional tackle pressure and Hayden Young’s lace out delivery to Jye Amiss was a complete delight. He goaled.

A moment later, Treacy was a beneficiary too, taking a sliding mark from the clearance and adding a second. The stats tell us he is kicking at 73 percent accuracy, making him the sharpest of sharpshooters in the AFL.

When stand in skipper Serong laid a big tackle and earned the free kick, his goal gave Freo a five-point lead at the break.

Another goal to start the second quarter, courtesy of another strong Switta tackle.
Freo’s forward pressure was exceptional. Our kicking for goal was not. The Hawks were being kept in the game and they started to win some clearances. They’re a good side to watch in full flight. Quick and with excellent ball movement.

When Dear oh Dear kicked two goals in a minute, the Hawks had taken the lead.

Up the other end, Voss missed badly and the ball was whisked away again. Hawthorn with four in a row now and their advantage was 12 points.

Just before the siren, Voss had another go. This time he banged it home from long range.

Freo went to the break seven points behind.
They needed to be better after half time.
And they were. For a bit.

The kicking for goal was still errant – four points in a row, but with repeat entries, Jackson took a fine contested mark and he didn’t miss. The lead was ours.

Remember the Name Banfield, who sometimes makes an amnesiac of me, popped up with an important snap and then Jeremy Sharp kicked an absolutely beauty to stretch the lead to 15 points.

Chol brought it back, before Banfield accepted a clever pass from Amiss and kicked his second.
The injured James Sicily had gone forward for the Hawks and reaped immediate benefit and Freo went into the final quarter nine points in front.

It should have been more.

Two minutes in and Jai Newcombe’s goal cut the margin to three. At this point I wondered if it was worth getting into the Cinzano?

The neighbours were having a bit of a do next door. Graeme kindly brought over a plate of sausage rolls, at which point Luke Breust gave the Hawks the lead. At this stage in proceedings I’d become a serious choke risk.
I opted instead for a chicken and avocado sandwich with the crusts removed. It immediately brought the soft pillowy reassurance of a Hawks turnover and a Brayshaw mark and goal.

Could we win another close one?

Sadly, the answer was no.

Not with James Sicily up forward we couldn’t. In an inspired piece of coaching the Hawks captain had suddenly become quite the target. His two goals gave Hawthorn the lead and the clock was running down. Another clearance went to the Hawks and Nick Watson made it 14 points.
Just like that.

Fair play Hawks. When the siren sounded, they’d kicked five goals to two when it mattered most to win by 13 points. Freo played well in patches, but will rue the opportunities missed.
So, the headline reads

FREO LOSE CLOSE ONE TO SLIP OUT OF FOUR – but can climb back in against Melbourne next week.
Extra! Extra! read all about it.

Yours truly,

Snaps Truly

PS: Has anyone seen my leaf blower. The West borrowed it months ago and reckons he gave it back.

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. Here are Snaps’ other 2024 season reports.

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