Look out Tigers, Freo's out to get you from behind Opposition analyst
The Age
July 19, 2013 'Mayne's manic men in Richmond rearview mirrors.''
On the long flight across Australia, I pondered what I had seen in the western derby. Of special interest was how Fremantle would respond against West Coast, coming off a dose of its own defensive medicine at the hands of Geelong - admittedly a road trip as imposing as any visit to Subiaco.
It turned out to be an exciting contest, for three-and-a-bit quarters, before the superior Dockers accelerated to a good win. I was captivated to watch the extreme work-rate and defensive pressure of the Fremantle small-to-medium half-forwards, led and marshalled by the supremely fit Chris Mayne. Mayne's supporting cast includes Matthew De Boer, Michael Walters and the effervescent Hayden Ballantyne.
Mayne has transformed to become the ''Simon-Peter'' of Ross Lyon's band of purple disciples - he embodies the follower who has bought into and plays to the total creed of Lyon's defensive system. He has the physical capability and, more importantly, the mental strength to stay focused on his role within that system. That role is to play an integral part of the pincer movement that traps opposition players and causes the midfield to commit front-half turnovers that invariably lead to Fremantle kicking winning scores.
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The first quarter was a battle between the two ways of scoring - goals from stoppages versus goals from turnovers. West Coast showed glimpses of its ability, with Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui rucking to the irrepressible Matt Priddis, who had dodged the Ryan Crowley clamp (Crowley was sent to Chris Masten). At the first change, the Eagles led the stoppage count 13-9.
Fremantle, on the other hand, had scored goals from turnovers with its press defence, and although it was behind on the tackle count (18-28), it was where those tackles had been effected and by whom that had allowed it a two-goal lead at quarter time.
Time and time again it was the Fremantle small-and-medium forwards who were making the tackles on the West Coast ball carrier. In the first quarter, Mayne had three tackles, De Boer four and Ballantyne one - that is almost 50 per cent of the Freo tackle count coming from defensive-minded forwards.
The Richmond midfielders and rebounding half-backs had better beware on Sunday - if they check their rearview mirrors they will see Mayne and his manic men coming at them from behind at a great speed, looking to pick them off as part of the Lyon defensive system.
It works like this. As the ball is turned over through an opposition intercept or a skill error, most midfields dutifully push back to help out their defenders and try to win the ball back.
With a lot of teams, there is a time lag before the forwards start to work up the ground to join in that part of the game. With the Fremantle press system, the midfielders do push back, but to a limit, before coming forward and at the opposition ball carriers.
As well as the midfielders, often you will see the Fremantle forwards getting well up the ground, even into their own defensive 50, before turning to press forward again, or releasing hard back towards the forward line. Mayne demonstrated this early in the third quarter, when he ran forward off his man to press the West Coast ball carrier. The resultant Freo tackle caused a turnover and led to a Stephen Hill goal.
The secondary part of the system relies on the Freo forwards pushing high up the ground, following the ball as it leaves their forward 50 area - ready to sweat on any opposition ball carrier who freezes when faced by the Freo midfielders pressing forward at them. Then the pincer snaps shut, and often it is the Freo forwards who snap it shut, making their tackles from behind on unsuspecting opponents. It is a clever system, one that works spectacularly well, especially when executed by fit and committed players such as Mayne and De Boer.
Make no mistake though, Mayne and his fellow forwards are still out there to hit the scoreboard. Mayne shares the goalkicking lead at Fremantle with Walters, both with 27, with Ballantyne trailing with 19 as Fremantle looks to share the load.
Of the AFL's top 20 goalkickers, Mayne has the second-most tackles with 59, only slightly behind Luke Breust from Hawthorn.
Tiger midfielders, you have been warned.
The opposition analyst works in that role for an AFL club.http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/look-out-tigers-freos-out-to-get-you-from-behind-20130718-2q7br.html
