aflfinals

We’re obviously just not doing it for Griff as he wants to spice things up and play with others. Boatloads going on in the harbour so it is time to Restump Podcast all the news in purple shoes. 

Apparently, if you listen to the revenue generating click bait media, every Freo player and his dog, or in Rory’s and Acres’ case their emotional support animals, wants out. It’s an ‘exodus’ they tell us!  

Griffin Logue, Rory Lobb, Blake Acres, Darcy Tucker and Liam Henry are all, let’s say, restless.

Which of those players in their positions would we not be looking to improve on anyway? They are not vehicles to the promised land and given a few of them having had career best years, they probably couldn’t take us any further than we ventured this year. We dig a little deeper and dissect each player’s reasoning and their trade prospects.

Speaking of vehicles, arguably the greater loss may be that of Josh Carr. He ping ponged between Port Adelaide and Fremantle his entire playing days and now looks set to continue throughout his coaching career. He may be in teal a while though as he does look their future head coach when the Ken Hinkley bell rings.

Deliberately speaking of segway Bells, another of the non-playing brigade appears likely to set sail from the port in the form of General Manager of Football Operations, Peter Bell. Like Josh Carr, is Belly ping ponging yet again back to his former club to take on the CEO role? If so which cap will he wearing in the Griffin Logue tussle? 

Sadly, he couldn’t take home Charlie but it was a big result for Andy Brayshaw last night. 20 votes prior to the bye but then just 5 on the run home. Opposing teams rightfully had to up their defensive work into the future captain.

Will Brodie took home an appropriate workmanlike 11 votes to finish second for Freo while the umps got a bit bedazzled with a few goals of Rory’s and gifted him 7 to round out the top three.

What has happened to former Freo great Paul HaSENby? Another seemingly outlandish suggestion from him that Josh Schache could suit us in a trade with the Bulldogs for Rory Lobb! Is Hase on a clicks and listens performance based contract? Does he have quotas to fill?

Believe it or not the usual fence sitting and controversy avoiding Jojo takes a shot the AFL and its hypocrisy over the gambling influence and saturation of last night’s Brownlow count. However, I’m not sure Jojo didn’t take the $6 about Andy and is just dark he didn’t get up.

There’s no shortage of Docker dot points to discuss so let’s put on the purple peepers, peruse what’s prominent at the port and fill up on our fair share of Freo fanfare.  

Given the pain of the loss and the realisation we’d seen David Mundy run out in purple for the final time… it wasn’t a Saturday, it was a Sadurday. Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s semi-final loss to the ferocious Pies.

We went in high on hope but also unfortunately on next to no experience for such a hostile environment. It showed very early and the intensity the Pies brought and hit us with, we had no answers or replies for. 

While we had no trouble getting our share of the ball, our disposal was under relentless pressure. Admittedly it wasn’t the sole cause of our inability to score, but it compounded issues for our more often than not dysfunctional forward line. 14 inside 50s for 1 point in the first quarter painted that picture.

After a few early jitters and mistakes our defenders again stood up but the weight of numbers and the Pie pressure further up the ground made it almost an impossible task for our back six.

The reality is we were overawed, out pressured, outmuscled and outplayed. We simply were convincingly beaten by a more seasoned and experienced outfit in that particular environment. 

The margin on paper was 20 points but realistically it was a 10 to 12 goal hiding, so the result wouldn’t have been any different had the game been played anywhere else. 

However, while we don’t want to be 'that guy'…. it must make things a tad easier when you’ve played 16 of your 24 games in 2022 at the MCG and 19 of your 24 games in your home state of Victoria... thereby alleviating the detriment of hours spent on planes.

Having said that, to be fair to Collingwood, the possible extra 22-minute car or bus journey from the MCG to Marvel must be brutal!

When all said and done, it brought to a close a magnificent season in which we saw substantial growth in individuals and as a collective. We not only got our team of kids a taste of finals, we put a September win on the board. But just as important we got a lesson in where we are and what is required to get to the promised land.

Sadly, it also saw the completion of the great David Mundy’s wonderful career, a career that left an immeasurable permanent positive impact on the club.

So, when one season comes to a close another silly type of season begins. Trade talk season. 90% print, TV and airway filling noise but about 10% materialises. Its difficult not to get caught up in the nonsense so we take the view that if you can’t stay clear of it, indulge in it.

We start with the Luke Jackson making his intentions clear and we get more hyped up from there. Lobb, Acres, Griff, Henry and whoever else Haggers and SEN clickbait the footy community into buying their exodus narrative! 

So, while the on-field year is over, the chatter continues. If you’ve overdosed on the Restump after a long season, go outside have a 'thunder chunder' and you’ll be good to click play and go around again in this episode of reviews, analysis and trade talk. 

We won’t interrupt Jimmy Aish, he’s currently occuPied. Time to Restump Podcast preview our ridiculously anticipated semi final against the Maggies at the Gee! 

What an opportunity and experience awaits us! 90k plus people, predominantly Pie fans, are about to cram into Australia’s Colosseum to create both an electrifying atmosphere and the most hostile of environments. 

Its one thing to be playing a semi-final. But to be playing a semi-final at the MCG against Collingwood…. some Danny Zuko vibes... I've got chills, they're multiplying! 

If you’re not in possession of a bucket of nerves, a bag of apprehension and a boat load of excitement, check your pulse because you may not be alive.

After the monumental comeback against the Dogs, we’re going in with an unchanged line up. Only 4 of our starting 22 have previously experienced something of this magnitude, so the remaining 18 are sailing into unchartered waters and are about to suffer a monstrous culture shock.

You have to feel for Matty Tabs. It had to be a difficult decision to leave him out and we’ll find out if it was the correct one. 

Can James “Mr Fix It” Aish fix up a few of his former colleagues and will Mr September Sonny Walters continue asserting his supremacy? 

After steering the ship last week Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong have to pad up and head back into battle against Scotty Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey and Jack Crisp with the help from the Gold Coast gift.

But don’t for one minute overlook the man who has played in every single final Fremantle has ever been in, except one. The legend who doesn’t know how to play a poor game, who has plenty left to give… the peerless David Mundy. Upping his game time will no doubt ensure us victory.

Collingwood lose Taylor Adams who ripped his groin off the bone, something I can’t even say without wincing. Not only his groin but Collingwood’s team have been weakened by it.

Remove the parochial noise and you’ll see the teams are extremely evenly matched. Could the ultra-hostile environment the Collingwood fans will create and our inexperience be the difference? Neither team will lay down and until that final siren sounds, neither team will be safe. 

Enough of this here…. let’s continue the purple love in the pod as we try to dissect the battle and attempt to work out what might unfold.

So, if you’re looking for someone to provide a calming presence and some words of composure to ensure we don’t all run our race prior to Saturday….. you’ve come to the wrong place! We’re buzzed up and in danger of our purple hype filled zip lock bags spilling over!

But click play anyway and join us on our rare journey to the Gee in September. We ride til we've died.

You can’t do that! Second career game in an elimination final and Jye was as cool as a Busselton cucumber. Ryan Crowley couldn’t have rattled him! Time to Restump Podcast the unfathomable Freo victory.

All we can say is, how? You just can’t do that! 41 points down with a tick over a half of footy to play and we somehow found a way with a team possessing barely a single final of experience between them. 

We averaged around 68 points per game for our last 6 games and we had to find 41 points in a just over a half of footy to just draw level, without the dogs kicking a single score! And we had to do that without our best forward and a replacement playing just his second career game. 

And we did! We somehow orchestrated a 54-point turn turnaround…. what kind of purple sorcery is that! 

How sweet was it to see Sonny Walters back to his former typical big game best? However, he couldn’t do what he did if a couple of young ridiculously talented hard nuts didn’t do what they did. Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong somehow went to another level, a level, given their age and experience, that should almost be classed as unfair to the Dogs!

When you look at those two guys in particular, you have to say Phar Lap suddenly has a couple of challengers for the world record size of hearts! 

If that win and all it represents doesn’t overly satisfy the harshest Freo task marker, then give the sport away because your unrealistic and unfair expectations will never be met.  

We’ve been starved of this feeling, we live for this, we’re doing it for Dave and for Nat, we’re allowed to dream, live in hope and we say why not us? But whatever unfolds and however next week results, an elimination final victory with such a young inexperienced team put the icing on a successful season’s cake. 

Let’s get into the game and relive the extreme emotional rollercoaster of Saturday night. We’re still running on adrenalin so we’ll aim for composure but not getting carried away reminiscing and dissecting the inconceivable purple performance.... we cannot guarantee. 

So, if you’re still buzzing…. Join us for this 60 minutes and come along for the recap before we look towards the ride to the G. 

They’ve carried the team for decades so it’s time to return the favour. It’s the Restump Podcast preview of our monstrous do or die elimination final against the dogs!

It is true absence often makes the purple heart grow fonder. It’s been 7 years since we’ve seen September action and I don’t know about anyone else, but for yours truly, the anxiety is already building and the nerves are kicking in.  

Being an elimination final, it increases the pressure knowing it’s ‘do or die’ in terms of our season. However, if you’re trying to remain calm and composed its probably best not to think about the additional stakes on the line…. that this is potentially the great David Mundy’s final ever game. 

What the hell are we doing…. trying to cause mass mental breakdown! We’re not pessimists… we’re going in as glass half full folk and not because it will probably be filled by the rain tomorrow night! (Yeah, way to go Chief, way to be ironically optimistic! I’m sorry…. I’m a nervous wreck… and I’m also obviously going mad because I am talking to myself!)

We bowled over the dogs 3 weeks back so that should provide us some confidence and comfort, but we all know finals are a different bag. They surely won’t give us the time and space like they did under the roof at Marvel so it will be a case of same kennel but different dogs.

As has been so often this year, over our ability to score is where the dark cloud hovers. The magnificent surprise inclusion is our round 8 debutant, Jye “Nev” Amiss and what a moment in time and opportunity for him. Could Nev provide us with an adaptation of our own Marlon Pickett moment? 

So, the whole season has come down to this Saturday night. It has been a highly successful year and we achieved the preseason goals set out. But to have it end Saturday night would still feel like a dagger through our purple hearts. 

Considering he was a career dog and now a recent Freo acquisition, we did our best to get Bob Murphy on for a brief chat. But the apparently nationally loved, the supposed man of the people, the claimed common folk’s champion…. snubbed us. He said, through his people, “no can do, I’m too busy.” He gave us the generic... too busy! Bob is more creative than that!

So, we can’t bring you Bob’s insight, his repartee and we can’t put him to the blowtorch to really see where his deep-seated allegiance truly lies. We’re not suggesting anything untoward… but matters of the heart can do strange things. You either bleed purple or you don’t!

However, if you want a chance at winning two tickets to Saturday night's game, listen to the pod for instructions and come up with a better excuse that Bob could have given us. 

Quite simply we just can’t wait for Saturday night. But between then and now, if you’re looking to keep the momentum going and increase the purple noise, click play and join us as we talk everything Freo finals…. Let’s just say that again… Freo finals! 

Dangerous weekend off, out of habit we almost shifted into Big Bash mode! Not this year though because it’s time to Restump Podcast awards, finals campaigns and contracts.

It’s been a while since there’s been a finals pep in our step and a September glide in our stride. But we’ve earned our place in the eight so we’re shamelessly strutting towards Optus Stadium. 

On this episode, after the entertaining Ryan Crowley was well received, we’re asking listeners who you’d like to hear from next and why? And we’ll see if we can make it happen.

But back to now and we’ve adoration to bestow upon the 2022 Leigh Matthews Trophy, the great Andy Brayshaw… or Andy Bradshaw as Mark McGowan knows him by apparently. There is no more a meaningful and prestigious individual award to win given it is selected by the players themselves.

We’ve got contracts to talk, some signed, some not so signed and some in danger of being singed. Acres, Aish, Banfield, Griff, Lobbby…. Just to name a few.

With Erasmus and Johnson doing everything right and on AFL trajectory, do we really want to pay overs for Blake Acres? He’s been a big contributor this year.

Down at Peel, if Mitch Crowden puts too many more feet forward he’ll end up on his back! He continues to put a magnificent batch of form together but can’t get his opportunity. Is there any way in?

Is there a purple Marlon Pickett in the Peel ranks, as we look for improved finals forward line strategy? 

Let’s get into it. We’ll raise a lot of issues, talk a lot of gibberish, end up further back than we started and with more questions than we set out with. But the nonsensical journey is as important as the ever-evasive destination. 

So, if you’ve nothing to do, nowhere else to be and nothing better to listen to, join us for this 45 minutes on the purple path to the promised land. 

We got to sit down with one of the all-time Freo fan’s favourites, the great Ryan Crowley, and we had an absolute ball. Given today’s football it’s difficult to think he isn’t truly the last of the Mohicans.

In this hour long, somewhat alcohol fuelled, convo we run through his regularly amusing and insightful journey, which constantly left us in stitches of laughter. 

Given how quickly the hour went and how desperate toilets were required at the end, a lot of content was left on the table. So, while we haven’t told Crowls yet, we’re calling this part one and we’ll go to work on him to potentially come back for part two.

Word of warning for those that aren’t keen on explicit language.... there are a few f-bombs dropped. We’re a no editing podcast so we run with what results. Consequently, we got the genuine and authentic Ryan Crowley. 

The Chief forgot we were recording a podcast and consequently forgot about speaking directly into the microphone, but we’re here to hear Ryan anyway and not the Chief.

So, with all that been said, we present you our chat with the much loved, still missed and ever entertaining Ryan “Clamp” Crowley. We hope everyone enjoys listening to it even half as much as we enjoyed recording it. 

Down back defending, organising, up forward kicking goals in Canberra… the honourable Alex Pearce took on more roles than Scomo! Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s top 5 securing win over the Giants.

He assumed the Ministerial roles for defence, for planning, up the ground on the spacious wing he was the minister for parks and recreation. On Jesse Hogan he became the minister for transport and main roads and when he ventured into unfamiliar territory and kicked a goal…. he said give me the minister for foreign affairs portfolio! 

While we’re all about David Mundy, and rightfully so, we couldn’t be happier or more thrilled for Alex Pearce, who will finally play his first finals series in his career. (nobody move for two weeks… we don’t want to jinx it)

What a weekend of footy! After a degree of lethargy and uninspiring effort early, we managed to get over the top of the Giants in what has to be said was somewhat of an encouraging performance. after quarter time. Did we allow complacency to creep in early on? 

To be fair, we were minus Lobb and Taberner and then losing Griff before the bounce…. wasn’t ideal. But it was more so the lack of energy and urgency that was of concern. The fumbling and ball watching didn’t aid the early cause either.

However, with about 10 minutes left in the second quarter the purple people came together and when Sonny Walters laid that tackle 25 metres out, went back and slotted his second…. energy levels got a boost. Coming back from 31 points down is a feat in itself.

Ironically with a forward line deficient of talls we went on to kick 89 points, our 2nd highest score in the last six weeks. 

Caleb Serong played a monster, Sonny had a ripping 200th and it was good to get a run into the captain. Quite simply though in the end, we did what we needed to do. 

We waited and watched Sunday’s games hoping for a favourable result to fall our way but as close as we got, it wasn’t to be. 

But regardless of top four or top eight finishes, what a season we’ve put together. 15 wins and a draw from our 22 games and we now play finals for the first time since 2015. If anyone suggests we haven’t exceeded our expectations… you’re a tough marker and you’re probably an eternally disappointed person! 

We go over the weekend’s game, the good the bad and the indifferent, we talk the Sunday games and what nearly was and could have been, throw around early discussion on the Dogs in two weeks’ time and we bring it home with the return of the Ask Jojo segment. 

Later this week we’ll post the hour-long chat we had with the great Ryan Crowley, so hopefully that is enjoyable for all. But before then…. friends, romans, countrymen… lend us your ears for these 45 minutes of packing up the successful purple home and away season.

Did Sean Darcy just tell everyone to stop ‘Medaling’ with his number one ruck position? Time to Restump Podcast review the hotly contested win over the Eags. 

Well, I for one didn’t see that level of heat coming. While harmless, it created excitement and inserted some electricity into the atmosphere. It wound the clock back a little and showed there is still some feeling in Derbies. 

The result mattered but it was the hit out we got that was of most benefit. We didn’t want to head into finals on two soft wins so the fierce contest was just what the Docker Doctor ordered. 

It was such a fitting occasion and emotional moment for the great David Mundy…. Fortunately, the wet weather hung around so many of us male Freo fans were able to say I’m not crying, it’s the rain in my eyes!   

There was a lift across the board, Sean Darcy took giant strides on his way back to his best, Caleb Serong showed a grit and determination for the club and his teammates that we wish we could bottle and Sonny Walters shut up and take my entry fee money!

The only hope the Eagles had of winning was if Jack Darling had one of his rare days out. The magnificent Alex Pearce said, yeah nah that won’t be happening.

But bigger picture wise it was most pleasing to see Blake Acres get back near his super form prior to his hamstring injury. It’s a vital position and we desperately need that level from him. 

Sure, we didn’t exactly display the art of accuracy but was it by design? The Eagles are keen on the number one draft pick so we didn’t want to aid them by destroying their percentage? Obviously, we jest because who wouldn’t want to see a wooden spoon head their way!     

Defenders were rock solid without the big numbers this week but with the Eagles having just 44 inside 50’s the defensive unit weren’t stretched. That said they kept them to just 12 scoring shots and one was courtesy of Caleb’s 150 metre penalty!

Enough of this written stuff, lets get into the conversation and cover all that and everything else that possesses even the slightest shade of purple! Click play, jump in… join in… the purple water is warm.  

What a luxury it is to have the ‘In case of midfield emergency, break the Fyfe glass’ option. Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s slaying of the Saints. 

The Saints gave us a lesson in the first half as they treated our midfielders like purple witches’ hats. In the middle we couldn’t have bought a footy in a clearance sale!  

When Maxy King goaled from the silver service, Jack Higgins got on the scoreboard and Dan Butler chipped in with one all in that first quarter…. not going to lie, we had flash backs to round two when they got a hold of us. 

However, despite being obliterated out of the middle, the defensive unit once again stood tall, led by swingman Griffin Logue, who showed no sign of suffering any swingmans fog this week. The back six did a remarkable job keeping us within 20 points of the Saints at half time when it could have and probably should have been substantially more.

There is nothing like having a two time brownlow medallist up our sleeve, especially one that is itching to get into the midfield furnace. After JL and the crew had managed Fyfey to perfection, they pulled the trigger at the start of the second half and it was literally like a midfield switch had been flicked.

It was if Fyfe was the key component that set off a positive chain reaction. Some sort of small-scale adaptation of the butterfly effect. 

His influence and contribution was instrumental in turning the course of the game around and providing the environment for which others soon thrived. 

That isn’t to suggest Andy Brayshaw’s game wasn’t another mind boggling, incomprehensible head-shaking in awe performance…. because it was. How do you do all the tough hard work, lay ten bruising tackles and still manage to collect 38 touches and get from contest to contest?

But with Fyfe halving the midfield contest and Andy Brayshaw doing Andy Brayshaw things, the rest of the crew soon got on board after the main break.

We got a bit of good fortune late in the third but which the Saints fans a still bleating about but the end margin of 41 points suggest their claims are largely inconsequential.  

Big kudos to Jordan Clark for arguably a career best game, Brennan Cox and Griffin Logue for roles and Lachie Schultz who was back to his tenacious and energised best.  

It was a wonderful victory, a tale of two halves and there was a conspicuous feel about it. Are we back? It may be never as good or as bad as it seems but that second half felt like we’re back! 

We’re sitting in 3rd, a game clear of Brisbane in 4th. Three more wins and a top four finish should well and truly be ours…. but let’s not get ahead of ourselves and jinx anything. 

So let’s get the podcast underway! If too much purple pandemonium doesn’t pack your pouch…. click play and spend 60 minutes here with us. However, we can’t offer refunds or returns for the listeners remorse you’ll inevitably suffer.

We’re trying to stay in the top four and the Sainters are trying to get into the eight. Time to Restump Podcast the Sainters and Dockers concert Saturday night. 

We were ordinary at best in round 2 against the Saints when they bowled us over by 10 points. But we’re a different side now and we’re better equipped to deal with them. 

We’re looking to defend our top four position while the Saints are just on the wrong side of the edge of the top eight. There is so much up for grabs, so much to play for.

Having lost to Carlton two weeks back and beating the Bombers in round 5, we’re one and one under the Marvel Stadium roof this year. 

We need Sean Darcy to go up a level and Rory Lobb to step up when he gives Darce a breather because Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall are a formidable combination.  

Down back we’re looking to Alex Pearce once again to get the job done on Max King. King kicked four in round 2 so we may prefer team defence to give Pearce a helping hand. Brennan Cox was a touch off last week but with Membrey going at two goals a game against us… he needs to switch on.

Clark, Walker, Young and Wilson can work out a plan to stop the sneaky cheeky Jack Higgins because we don’t want another round 2 repeat of his four goal haul.

The mids go head to head.  Dealing with Jack Steel, Brad Crouch and Jade Greshem won't exactly be a Sunday picnic for Brodie, Brayshaw and Serong. Does Fyfey head in there at all? At worst we need to break even in the middle to give the backs a chop out. 

Up forward we’re looking to Lobb to keep his hot form going, the hamstrung but then not hamstrung Tabs to play a full game and then the smalls needs to get and stay busy. 

While we’re almost locked in to playing finals, finishing top four would be nice. We probably need four more wins to secure a berth and we have just seven games remaining. Lets ensure we need 3 wins from 6 games after Saturday night.

We're a bit nervous about this one on Saturday night. We feeel we have the Saints measure but we probably need to kick it up a notch from last Sunday against the Power. 

There's not a lot of  Freo fanfare at the moment which is surprising considering we're in unfamiliar top eight and top four territory. But while content is light, there's always enough purple pieces to pack up the pod with.  

Did Mitch Georgiades relegate Youngy to a Raider Of The Lost Mark? Time to Restump Podcast yesterday’s win that wasn’t for the faint hearted.

It was a nostalgic day yesterday as Freo wound back the clock. Late in the game fan’s were calling for the defibrillators to get their purple hearts going again, but it was all part of the emotive four-point banking fun. 

40 points up at one stage, did we take the foot off the pedal or did fatigue set in? There are many ways to asses it but the reality is, we ended up in front when the siren sounded, we banked the four points and kept our top four chances alive.

If there is any disappointment with the win, send your mind back to the start of the season and revisit your expectations. Come back to now and you’ll find we’ve exceeded them greatly.

Fyfe is finding his feet as his confidence and desire levels rise and despite staying out of the middle, he’s going to be a that old weapon after a few more games wherever he plays.

There are no superlatives left to describe Andy Brayshaw. Quite simply we don’t win that game without him.

James Aish took his Mr Fix It role to the electrical field, constantly cutting off the Power. We are forever wondering how the hell Geelong let Jordan Clark escape and we're willing to concede that if Rory can guarantee us that intent every week, then re-sign him up.   

Alex Pearce had done a superb job on the dangerous Charlie Dixon to three quarter time but Charlie went into the middle and literally turned the game in a matter of 60 seconds. He rucked roved and kicked two of his own and had a hand in a third. Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb had no answer to him.

Special thanks to Robbie Gray and Todd Marshall who inexplicably both missed goals in that last quarter, sodas that you would have taken out a second mortgage on your house and put it on them being kicked.  

We got the points, we’ve got 11 wins and we need four more to clinch a top four finish. It doesn’t matter how we get them! However, bigger picture, we’re exceeding any expectations, we’re going to play finals and anything above that in the way of double chances, home finals and top fours, is the cream on the 2022 season cake. 

So, if you’re looking for some straight and narrow, never as good never as bad as it seems perspective with regular tangents of preposterousness, click play and join the prattle in the purple pool. 

Don't dream it's over! Melbourne are the 2021 Premiers! 

Today host Nathan is joined by 4 fellow Dees fans to bask in the ending of the Norm Smith curse, in this special extended Grand Final edition. 

Joined by Chloe, Jacqui, Erin (who was there in person!) & Kate we discuss the painful past as Dees fans, when we started to believe, the emotions of the rollercoaster that was the game itself and that amazing feeling when we knew we were home! 

Following the celebration we are joined by regular contributors Jono and James,  who ask Nathan for his take, and give a neutral perspective to the game and breakdown some of the highlights of the day in it's entirety.

It's our mega grand final edition, don't ya dare miss it. 

Time Stamps of guests below:

6:30 - Chloe - on trying to change teams and the nerves of Grand Final day.
14:45 - Jacqui - why the 2018 Prelim hurt the most and the sadness of not being there in person. 
26:00 - Erin - the at Optus Stadium watching live perspective, and the adventures of crying with your face painted.  
39:00 - Kate - Life in a family of Saints and Demons fans, and an amazing drunken purchase
52:45 - Nath, Jono & James discuss the Grand Final. What made Nathan cry, which Bulldogs player Jono was happy for, and the moment James knew that Melbourne would win 

You can follow the podcast on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/sports_speak_podcast/

We appreciate reviews, ratings, recommendations as these all help our podcast grow!

Coming up on the Pod:

- AFL Season Teams Recap

- All Australian Teams

- NBA Top 50 - Part 2

If you like what you've heard please rate and review, and give us a follow on the Insta account https://www.instagram.com/sportssectionpod/

Well Fremantle news hit fever pitch last week but it has since relatively died down. Is it the calm before the purple trade and draft storm? The Restump Podcast peruses the purple particulars of the week.

Well Lachie Neale didn’t make it back home to Freo as the prospect was over before it began. Was the abuse he and his wife copped from the media and the public warranted? Of course not, but such is the idiocy of the world’s inhabitants. 

After today’s announcement the long-range weather report is showing definitely no Hale! After being offered a position at the Hawks, David Hale departs his role as the Freo forward coach. 

Adam Cerra remains in WA and that has sparked Jojo McDonnell to speculate on his future and he has come up with a rather questionable plan to secure his signature. It must be said we don’t condone illegal activity, but…. its Cez!

Four re-signings have occurred. Trav Colyer, Bailey Banfield and Nathan Wilson received one-year contracts while Lloyd Meek picked up two. All four deals, you would imagine, would have moderate salary cap impact at best.

We take a squiz at the Brownlow, we think, or rather hope, Andy Brayshaw might top David Mundy for most Freo votes and Jojo McDonnell bring us home with one of his classic Closing Quandaries.

Feel free to flick on this forty minutes of Fremantle focused fatuity….. however, it’s pretty lacklustre so if we were you, we’d play the waiting game for some better listening content elsewhere! 

Sunday, Bloody Sunday, it wasn’t a Beautiful Day and regarding premierships cups, its safe to say We Still Haven’t Found What We’re Looking For. It’s the final Restump Review podcast for 2021, the traumatic season ending loss to the Saints. 

Rolling out of bed for the 10.15am bounce down was tough enough and then we hear Adam Cerra a late withdrawal. With everything to play for and so much on the line, it wasn’t an ideal start to the day.

A few minutes in Lloyd Meek fumbled and bumbled what should’ve been an easy mark and goal before Matty Tabs did likewise. Signs weren’t great!

The intensity was up but the inaccuracy was back. 1 goal 4 at the first break, we went in 10 points down when we should have been three goals up. We were playing catchup from the start and we all know that rarely ends well.

It went from bad to worse on multiple fronts. Switkowski did a hip, Darcy did a hip and when Brayshaw took a big hit but thankfully recovered, the injury report half way through the game was literally Hip, Hip, Hooray! 

The scoreboard deteriorated as did our faint hopes of finals. This team of kids were no match for the seasoned Saints. 

Old Man Mundy turned up again, Brayshaw’s toughness and work ethic is mind-blowing, Caleb Serong is worth his weight in bitcoin and Hayden Young…. help me Bob…. this kid is heading for greatness. 

The forward line remains dysfunctional. Centre clearances were 16 / 7 our way. Inside 50s were even. Yet we went at 34% disposal efficiency Inside 50 while the Saints went at 46%. There needs to be relentless drill work in the off season.

We ended the day on 6 goals 13, with two goals late in the game. We fell to 11th and returned to Perth with our bruised and battered egos.

So, the season comes to an end once again without us seeing September action. However, when you look at the Brayshaws, Darcys, Serongs, Youngs, Henrys and Chapmans…. the strong suit of defenders, a Treacy and maybe finally a Sturt…. We’ll see you soon September!

The positive about the end of the season is that you're only subjected to the Restump review podcast this one last time for the year. Click play.... you've got the summer for your ears to recover!

The Purple Apostles beat the Saints in God’s Country and then we need a Hail Mary so we pray for a Miracle. It’s the Restump Podcast preview of the vital clash against the Saints. 

Well, we’ve been given more than our fair share of lifelines this year and fortunately we made the most of the recent one last week against the Eagles. It all now comes down to this Sunday, so all we can do is win and then it’s all up to the universe.

Our part of the equation isn’t exactly a walk in the park because we’re 2 wins and 11 losses down in the Apple Isle. To make matters worse we haven’t played in Hobart! 

However, against the Saints in Tassie we’ve played twice and its one win all and both games were 1-point margins! It can’t get much tighter than that!

With the inclusion of future Captain Andy Brayshaw, our chances get a boost, and a double bonus considering the Saints suffered Max outage with King heading to the side-lines.

The Saint’s Jack Steele is in phenomenal form, so curtailing his influence will go a long way to securing the points keeping our faint finals hopes alive. Few if any have been able to stop the Man of Steel this year but he hasn’t come up against a Serong yet!

Jojo, yet again down in the south west swanning about the wineries, touches on a little bit of contract chatter while apparently there’s something about the Conca Truck’s demise and departure that just isn’t cricket, according to the Chief. He’s launching a new “What’s the Grease Reece” campaign to get the skinny on the situation. Although it may have to wait a year or so! 

It’s been an understandable fluctuating year but we’re in a very good space. Regardless of the result on Sunday, a fiercely fought contest against the Sainters will be a highly encouraging way to end the year, should we fail to advance into September action.

If the Saints knock us over on Sunday remember there are always silver linings. In that instance look at the positives…. at least this will be the final Restump Podcast Preview noise polluting the airways in 2021. 

As always, if you have nothing better to do like listening to paint dry, click play and have your say. We’re open to any and all feedback.

There’s no doubt Caleb Serong sang it better than Patrick Hernandez! It was a massive derby drought busting win that mean so much to all of us yesterday. Time to Restump Podcast review it. 

Sure, the unexpected win broke the derby drought and kept the finals door slightly ajar, but it was more than that. It was a validating stamp on the direction of where we’re heading, it was a triumph over extreme adversity and a late season joy we genuinely thought wouldn’t eventuate. It was a win more meaningful than just the four points.

Caleb Serong has been showing us his talent for two years but yesterday, without the assistance and protection of numerous seasoned players around him, he showed the world where he’s heading. 

Unsurprisingly Dave Mundy did Dave Mundy things in his record-breaking game, Darcy Tucker went up a notch and Switkowski was an interesting dynamic in the middle. 

The defenders defended as a collective. Kennedy and Darling threatened to take over but Logue and Pearce exterminated the threat…. but not before Darling got his mandatory goal from a free kick! 

DJ Luke Ryan look the honours against his namesake and Hayden showed he is only Young by age. A couple of errors but his marking power, judgement and attacking skills are sights to behold. 

And let’s not forget to throw Tobe Watson some love as he was highly serviceable all day. 

The forwards beautifully gelled in the first quarter and battled on after that. Tabs moved wonderfully well and caught everything while Treacy did as much if not more without the ball than with it.

It was just one of those magnificent days for us fans, a moment and another reason why we all love the Fremantle Footy Club.

We’re still celebrating so please forgive any indiscriminate yahoo that may be heard. After a win like that, too much purple pandemonium is never enough. Click play and get involved in the power of positive intention as we try to will the finals door wide open. 

It has been an unusually sombre Derby week this week, due to the departure of the great Stephen Hill. Finals are gone, Brayshaw sidelined and no send of game for Hilly. The Restump Podcast talks everything purple and we preview Sunday’s ominous task against the West Coasters!  But is a win Derby or not Derby, that is the question!

While sad for Stephen Hill unable to get up for a send-off game, we celebrate his wonderful career. We also give Dave Mundy another pat on the back as equals the great man Matty Pavlich’s 353 game record. 

It’s been a tumultuous season and last week’s loss to Richmond put a devastating exclamation point on it for so many reasons.

However, while our season is all but over as far as finals are concerned, let us not go out without trying to take out our foes over the other side of the river. 

Both sides are in horrible form and sadly we go in Sunday, on the back of 11 straight derby losses, severely undermanned. To make matters worse, we’re up against a pretty much full-strength West Coast Eagles.

Could we possibly do the unthinkable? They have been embarrassed of late and their season is literally on the line Sunday so they have enormous incentive to win. No Fyfe, no Brayshaw? That’s a big hole in our engine room.

But we have to ask the questions, how many goals from free kicks will Jack Darling be gifted? Who will Luke “Sniper” Shuey go to and which teenager will Andy Gaff send to the dentist?

We might’ve endured a few flat days this week but come hell or high water, we’ll be ready and in full voice Sunday arvo. 

So if you’re also feeling a bit flat from the week and in need of a ‘pick-me-up’, for God’s sake don’t put your faith in us… we’re not Daniel Kerr! However, Jojo’s insight and common sense and the Chief’s bulldust might have to suffice! 

If you’re in desperate need of something to click and you can’t find a clicky pen, then there’s a play button here to click if you can endure 40 minutes of ultra-purple palaver! 

The scoreboard showed it was more a red than a Green Day yesterday. It’s the Restump Podcast review of the Freo’s loss to the roaring Lions.

From about six weeks ago it was always a going to be a struggle to make the finals. However the results kept falling our way which kept us with a flicker of hope. Yesterday our destiny was in our own hands but sadly we used Jack Darlings hands by mistake. We’ve now fallen into that prolonging the inevitable “mathematical chance” bracket.

The story of the day was seemingly the Lions returning to their red-hot form applying relentless pressure while we couldn’t have hit a car driving a semi-trailer the wrong way up a single lane one way street!

The effort and the intensity was there from the purple players but we couldn’t match the ferocious level of the Lions. But if you don’t use tackle you can’t catch a fish… a lion type fish! Freo’s 35 tackles to the Brisbane’s 71 was never going to get it done and our 6 to their 25 inside 50 tackles only made matters worse.

Jarrod Berry drove Andy Brayshaw bananas but Brayshaw still delivered a fruitful performance. However, comparing Cerra’s and Mundy’s skill game to their usual level is comparing apples and oranges.  

Uncharacteristically the defenders collectively had a poor day, beaten convincingly by Brisbane. But Hayden Young was the exception to the rule. 

The forward line was as dysfunctional as we have seen it so there is plenty of work to be done to become a cohesive unit. Disappointingly the forward pressure was non-existent! Again, though while there is always an exception to every rule, Josh Treacy’s performance was above serviceable and the longer the game went the better he got.

The nucleus of a serious team exists. Tough decisions need to be made at seasons end and we have to astutely build around it over the next two drafts. Sustainable finals success could well be the result if we get that right.

Finals in 2021 are now all but impossible but there is still plenty to play for. With the pressure and expectation off, the round 22 Derby is now a free hit… and we don’t mean on Andy Gaff…. or do we!    

It’s safe to say the purple pod isn’t plastered with positivity this week and going on the reaction of Jojo’s youngster, Jojo Junior, in the background, he wasn’t impressed with our work. There's 40 plus minutes of Docker dissection drivel though so click play and turn it up…. if only to drown out the thunder and rain!

Believe it or not the season is alive and well! We’re on the up and about to go Lion hunting at the Optus game park. It’s the Restump Podcast’s preview of Sunday’s vital Freo V Brisbane clash.

After drinking from the season rejuvenating fountain of youth last weekend, we’re going back for another swig this Sunday.

The Lions, a formidable outfit at their best, have looked a bit shaky in recent times. Their away record isn’t flash and while they’re not to be taken lightly, they look vulnerable, especially as they’ll run out Lachie Neale-less!

Alex Pearce is a much-welcomed return to help combat the McStays, Danihers and Fullertons and it will be interesting to see who else gets a gig. Will Nathan O’Driscoll finally get the nod? 

The young mids will need to be last week-like to see off the Lyons, McCluggages, Berrys and Zorkos. We need to be mindful of the often crazy but talented Mitch Robinson and we don’t want to see the ball in the accurate Zack Bailey’s hands too often.

Whatever we do up forward we need someone to spend plenty of dollars on and send Daniel Rich broke. His disposal efficiency and metres gained are weapons of mass forward attack construction!

Well we need to win at least two of our last three games, three to be assured, of a place in the finals. We’re playing talented teams that are wobbling so we’re not without our chances. Our season, once again, starts Sunday.

This bloody club we love is doing it again, it’s building our hopes and making us dream! We’re adding to the bandwagon and going all in so there are 45 minutes of purple hope building right here. Hey the worst, albeit most likely, result from clicking play is we put you to sleep. That’s a win win in our book!