Game Psychology

Dockers Give Hoodoo Heave Ho

janetl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:28:55 -0500

Janet Linn, reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

True to the words of their theme song, the Fremantle Dockers conquered the psychological hoodoo that has haunted them for the past six weeks and gave the North Melbourne Kangaroos the “old heave-ho” at Subiaco Oval on Saturday. Their 53 point thrashing of the Kangaroos was their best performance of the season so far and although it may not be enough to silence some hometown critics, it has breathed life into a club which was on the verge of imploding. During the week, coach Mark Harvey had described Fremantle as “dangerous” which raised the eyebrows of anyone who had watched recent Docker games. In retrospect, Harvey’s comment may have spurred his team on and boosted their determination to overcome consecutive final quarter fizzles. In contrast, coach Dean Bailey must be concerned by the inconsistent levels of skill and enthusiasm displayed by North Melbourne for most of the game.

It was a perfect day for football at Subiaco Oval. The first quarter was completely dominated by Fremantle. With Roger Hayden back from injury to lend pace and experience to the backline, the Dockers were able to repel the majority of forward thrusts by the Kangaroos. The Dockers tackling was ferocious and they scored first blood through Chris Tarrant who looked dangerous up forward. Aaron Sandilands had control of the ruck hitouts and small men Josh Carr, Rhys Palmer, Byron Schammer and Brett Peake were in excellent form. In spite of their high possession count, the Dockers were still prone to overuse of the ball and there were a number of suicide handballs and turnovers which gave the Kangaroos opportunities to attack. Unfortunately for the Roos, they could not penetrate past the half forward line. The absence of Nathan Thompson and Corey Jones had a significant impact on their ability to take clean possession in the forward line and make the most of their few scoring chances. The pressure exerted by Fremantle was their best this season and North’s skill level cracked under its intensity. Goals to David Mundy, Matthew Pavlich and Jeff Farmer gave Fremantle a 29 point advantage at the break.

Disaster struck for the Kangaroos in the first minute of the second quarter when Hamish McIntosh limped off the ground injured and played no further part in the game. Lindsay Thomas reacted by kicking the first two goals of the quarter and Freo were challenged for the first time in the game. Some great running play by Peake gave Peter Bell a shot on goal and he put through a steadier for the Dockers. A classy passage of play featuring Damien Harris, Daniel Wells and Matt Campbell saw another six pointer through for North Melbourne. This period of the game was fast and lively with both teams locked in a tight contest. With the Kangaroos lifting, Fremantle faltered, over handling the footy and wasting disposals. A good goal off the pack from Palmer steadied the Dockers. Fremantle began to play very defensively in their forward line and the Kangaroos had trouble clearing the ball from their defensive 50. Pavlich eventually capitalized on their mistakes and scored his third and fourth goals in the latter part of the quarter taking Fremantle into the long break with a 39 point lead.

It was all Fremantle in the third quarter. Garrick Ibbotson opened the goal-kicking at the two minute mark and North looked flat-footed and lacking in structure, particularly in the forward line. Pavlich kicked his fifth and Fremantle continued to tackle like men possessed. After North gave away a 50 meter penalty, Pavlich scored his seventh goal, answering his critics loud and clear and taking Fremantle to a ten goal lead. With Freo players streaming all over the ground, the Roos looked lost and lackluster. Playing tentatively and with no confidence whatsoever, they were repeatedly caught holding the ball and had no targets to kick towards in front of goal.

With Freo fourth quarter fadeouts the story of their season so far, the pressure was on to show resilience and keep control of the game until the end. A quick Tarrant goal signaled their intention to do just that. The Kangaroos lifted and showed some early resistance with goals through Brent Harvey, Ed Lower, Leigh Brown and Leigh Harding reducing the deficit to 48 points. Chances went begging when Daniel Wells missed two shots. Jeff Farmer inspired his team mates with great running, handing Chris Mayne a goal on a plate. With a superb interception of a short North Melbourne pass across goal, Farmer again gave the Dockers the belief they needed as he put the last nail in the Roos’ coffin and the fourth quarter hoodoo to rest.

It was a disappointing and lethargic display by North Melbourne who dropped to ninth position on the AFL Ladder and meet the high-flying Hawthorn in Round 13. Fremantle were impressive in a good team effort and fly to Melbourne midweek to play Saint Kilda in a Friday night game at the Telstra Dome.

Scoreboard
Fremantle  5.3 9.8 13.11 18.12 (120)
North Melb 0.4 3.6  3.10  9.13 (67)

Goals
Fremantle  M Pavlich 8, J Farmer 2, P Bell, G Ibbotson, M Johnson, 
           C Mayne, D Mundy, R Palmer
North Melb L Thomas 2, l Brown, M Campbell, L Harding, B Harvey,
           E Lower, D Petrie, S Power

Best
Fremantle  Pavlich, Farmer, McPharlin, Solomon, Peake, Farmer
North Melb Harvey, Petrie, Wells, Pratt, Power

Crowd 34,105

Port Power Puts Paid To Dockers Season

janetl — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:18:40 -0500

Janet Linn, reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth

Mental toughness has been the top talking point among Western Australian football followers in the past few weeks. With both local teams flailing at the bottom of the AFL Ladder and each failing to deliver consistent and winning performances, fans have been turning to an examination of the psychological components of the game to find answers. The Fremantle Dockers in particular have promised much in recent seasons and were widely tipped to be a Final Eight prospect this year under new coach Mark Harvey. Sunday’s game against Port Adelaide was a make or break moment for the Dockers coming off six straight losses with only one win on the scoreboard. Port were in a slightly better situation with three wins from eight encounters but needed the four points to have any chance of seeing Finals action in September.

The first quarter was an entertaining affair. Fremantle tackled strongly and had winners in Sandilands, Tarrant, Pavlich and McPharlin. For Port, Rodan had a big impact, teaming well with pacy midfielders Motlop and Pearce. The lead changed several times during the quarter and while the skill level wasn’t great with lots of mistakes on both sides, the contest was tight and fast. Scores were level at the 18 minute mark but Fremantle lifted and converted every attempt on goal to lead by 18 points at quarter time. Port’s forward line looked out of sorts with many of their scores coming from poor defensive work by the Dockers.

Port began the second quarter looking flat but a brilliant individual effort by Daniel Motlop turned the tide of the game. His long goal against the general run of play inspired six Port goals in a row with Fremantle held goalless for the quarter. Rodan, Tredrea, Westoff, Pearce and Salopek were dominant and Fremantle had no answers in a hard fought 32 point turnaround by Port. The margin was 14 points in the visitors’ favor at the long break.

A third quarter revival by Fremantle kept the game competitive. Grover opened the tab for the Dockers and Pearce replied with a miracle goal for Port Adelaide. Pavlich was everywhere and team mates Ibbotson, Farmer and Black had a lot of the play. There was some exciting end to end football with both teams strong in defense and on the ball but struggling to find consistent targets in their forward lines. Eventually Rodan broke through to give Port a 19 point buffer only to see McPharlin score a desperately needed goal for the Dockers. A free kick to Thornton in front of the sticks reduced the margin to one clear goal and minutes later an inspirational six pointer from Crowley saw scores tied with four minutes remaining. It was Port’s turn to show some mental strain as they mishandled the ball and showed signs of panic. Fremantle took a narrow two point lead into the final break after Pavlich and Farmer scored points in the closing minutes of the quarter.

There was no doubt that every Dockers’ fan had the mental toughness question on their mind as the whistle blew to start the final quarter. Port took the initiative immediately. After a fantastic play by Rodan, Motlop kicked a Goal of the Year contender to give Port the lead. Ibbotson snapped a brilliant goal off a marking pack and it was Fremantle in front. McPharlin had an opportunity to increase the lead but wasted it. An easy clearance by Port resulted in a downfield chance to Westoff. He nailed it and Port were ahead again. Fremantle began to make mistakes, getting caught holding the ball, missing tackles and becoming tentative in defense. Port’s supremacy was obvious when, with two players lying on the ground injured and effectively out of the game, Port moved the ball forward to Gray in the forward 50 and scored a goal. With seven minutes to go to full time, Port had a 16 point lead. Pavlich was awarded a free kick for an arm chop but hit the post, wasting a final chance for Fremantle to get back into contention. In contrast, Port took the ball out of defense and retained possession to give Westoff another opportunity on goal. He capitalised as did Motlop minutes later and Port ran out comfortable 28 point winners.

While Port Adelaide supporters rejoiced at the resurrection of their season, Fremantle Dockers’ fans wept tears of frustration at the thought of what could have been - indeed should have been - in season 2008. There can be no excuses for Fremantle. They had plenty of the ball and lots of opportunities but Port Adelaide were deserving winners. They showed more endeavor and fought hard to come from behind for the win. The Dockers were no match for Port’s persistence or toughness when it counted. Where Port were resolute and convincing, Fremantle were inconsistent and brittle. To rub salt into the wound, the Dockers earned a dubious honor. They are the first team in AFL history to be defeated on five separate occasions after leading games at three quarter time. This will no doubt fuel further debate on the reasons behind the Dockers’ inability to finish off games.

In Round 11 Port Adelaide (now in equal 10th place on the Ladder) will host Carlton at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide. Fremantle (equal bottom) will travel to the Gabba to meet the in form Brisbane Lions in front of their home crowd.

Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 2.1 8.3 10.5 16.7  (103)
Fremantle     5.1 5.7 9.13 10.15 (75)

Goals
Port Adelaide Motlop 5, Tredrea 3, Westoff 2,Roden 2, Lade, 
              Salopek, Pearce, Gray
Fremantle     Sandilands 2, Pavlich, Farmer, Black, Grover, 
              Thornton, Ibbotson, McPharlin, Crowley

Best
Port Adelaide Motlop, Rodan, Salopek, Pearce, Westoff, 
              K Cornes, C Cornes
Fremantle     Crowley, Sandilands, Palmer, Ibbotson, 
              McPharlin, Pavlich