The Restump Podcast: Recent Episodes

JoJo and The Chief

The Restump Podcast should only be listened to as a last resort, it features two mates talking trash about their favourite footy team, The Fremantle Dockers."We don't rebuild but re-stump, we re-wire, we re-plumb."

The Sandgroper roper. He's a rustler! Wrangler Wallsy and co are out there on their annual muster, lassoing and herding prized young West Aussies back to the Fremantle farm. Time to Restump Podcast the trade parade.

The seemingly very focused Freo strategy of enticing quality age profile applicable young west Australians who fill or add to positions of need, continues. So far, we’ve seen off Liam Reidy and we welcomed home ex-East Fremantle product, Judd McVee, to the Freo family.

Under the clever guise of being neighbourly, Wallsy and co orchestrated a position that saw Judd McVee head to Fremantle, essentially for a very fair price, and potentially substantial unders. It unlocked the block that allowed West Coast to get their mature aged defender, Brandon Starcevich.

We gave up picks 12, 33, 44 and 50 and received Judd McVee, pick 19, 23 and 46.

Liam Reidy has made his way to Carlton with pick 53 and 71 while picks 50 and 68 returned. Nothing to write home about but what more could we realistically expect? You don’t have to win every trade.

Trade period isn’t over yet but you’d imagine there wouldn’t be too much more action from a purple perspective, other than Will Brodie heading to Port Adelaide to team up with Josh Carr. But who knows what unfolds in the frantic few moments before the final bell?

Has the free agency compensation system gone past the point of repair? The manipulation and exploiting of the seemingly fluid rules, the lack of transparency around decisions made and compensatory awards handed down, suggest it’s time to either scrap it altogether or blow it up and rebuild it in a more appropriate manner. Jojo has been banging on about it for years and now it surely seems he’ll get his wish.

The Chief is still running his one-man campaign to sound out Geelong’s Ted Chlohesy. With Switta’s often unreliable availability, could Ted be the perfect candidate to mitigate that risk and fill our post-Schultzy forward pressure deficiency?

However, we’re already in the workshop building the wagon to carry the picks, points and punters for the Chadwick28 Restump campaign ready to roll out next year!

As always, we somehow come up with plenty of propaganda to prattle on about. So, as we always say, if you’re not pickled or plastered and passed out on purple, your performance isn’t presentable. If you haven’t overdosed, you’re not doing it right. Feel free to join us on the pod to get a momentary fix, or even just to top up.

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Parting ways with our popular purple people is particularly painful this year. 674 games of experience and 3 meaningful contributors. Time to Restump Podcast all the Docker developments.

Any of us may momentarily win an aging process battle, but none of us win the war. While Jimmy Aish would have it in him to go around again, Nat Fyfe and Sonny Walters were formidable in their individual efforts to prolong the inevitable. But it does little to ease the pain of having to say goodbye.

However, the cycle of purple life continues and the Freo show must go on. They're certainly not the first three we've had to watch disappear into the horizon and they won't be the last.

This fast paced, often ruthless industry doesn't allow for long periods of mourning or reflection. The season's dust is barely settled, the send offs seemed shortened and we suddenly find ourselves in Brownlow medal, draft and trade talk territory.

Almost in an instant the conversation switches from ‘who we're losing’ to ‘who will take their place.’ On some level it feels a little disrespectful, like we've moved on too soon. But such is the nature of the AFL beast.

Were Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong's dominance of Fremantle's Brownlow votes a true reflection of our group’s individual contributions, or was it simply a product of the ‘midfielders’ award? Both had very good seasons, but you're trying to tell me the All-Australian jacket wearing Jordan Clark had just a 2-game polling, 4 vote total season? Really?

In terms of personnel going forward, what do we need to compliment the list to take another step forward in 2026?

With Will Brody and Liam Reidy requesting trades, Quinton Narkle joining the retirees and the unlucky Jack Delean and Odin Jones suffering delisting, it has opened up a substantial 8 list spots so far.

The grapevine chatter regarding the possible departure of Sean Darcy just won't quieten down. Is it a case of where there's smoke there's fire or is it all smoke and fiery mirrors? What do the rumours do to Liam Reidy's thought process?

33-year-old Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott's name keeps popping up in purple provinces. And while we're on the Collingwood camp, there seems to be a Bobby Hill Freo Fanclub? Regardless of 'get-ability' are they genuine needs?

Those names and plenty more are, at the very least, up for discussion.

Always plenty of Docker drivel to be discussed. We'll cast the net wide on all things Freo, we'll get an update on JoJo's long-awaited bar opening and the Chief has hinted that he may unfortunately subject us to another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

With the ink running dry here, let's put down the purple pen, pick up the talking stick and continue on the pod. So, if you haven't got a sock drawer to tidy, grass to watch grow or purple paint to watch dry, by all means, join us and get involved in the conversation.

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Do we all need to go guts up in the Bahamas for a while? To be fair to the Gold Coast Suns, if we’d gotten out of jail we would’ve been charged with stealing. Time to Restump Podcast the 1-point heartbreak.

Well that stung and it may have done irreparable damage to our souls. While Freo fans didn’t buy into The West’s revenue generating clickbait idiocy with their ‘easy Freo final' back page, we all obviously had high hopes of extending the season.

However, we got Sunburnt so we bow out of season 2025 with a what would've been, could've been, maybe should've been but didn’t quite end up being, result.

It was a typical Freo roller coaster season ride as we went from eating the chocolates in the frying pan, to sucking on boiled lollies in the fire. We were a basket case by round 8, finals bound a few games later.

We’ve done the full suite of emotions since Saturday night, but after the mental anguish, pondering the reasons why and the reasons why not, and internally asking ourselves the irrationally instinctive rhetorical questions like, how did this happen, who do we need and who needs to go… we arrive at some sort of pragmatic peace.

The basic long and simple short of it is, the Suns were simply better for longer. Now obviously, the superiority for a single point margin time period is all but negligible. But the soul-destroying reality is, that's all that is required.

Really other than sporadic poor decision making, some maybe finals frenzied forced skill errors and several less than ideal forward 50 entries, we didn’t do too much wrong and the team will benefit from the experience.

If you had to pinpoint it without hanging individuals, we’d probably note the 2nd quarter with 5 minutes remaining on the clock. In that period of red time rampage, the Suns managed 6 inside 50s and put 4 goals 1 on the board, while our Freo folk failed to trouble the scorers from 4 inside 50s.

Must be said though, generating just 7 scores from 29 inside 50s for a half, tells you you’re doing plenty right, but the important part catastrophically wrong.

We couldn’t get it done for Fyfey and now any on field remnants of the 2013 grand final era are gone. However, we let Nat go gradually which helped ease the pain of goodbye.

And while we couldn’t get it done for Fyfe, if you can distance yourself from the pain of Saturday night and view it with momentary detachment, it’s hard not to have a little smile for the Gold Coast Suns and David Swallow.

We know far too well what they have been through and for them to have their first ever draftee kick the winning score in his and his team’s first ever final, in what is his retirement year, it’s a great story and a wonderful football moment.

Ok, enough of that nonsense. So, putting the purple hat back on, we’ve just put away a 16 win season, we’ve got one of the league's youngest and most inexperienced lists that's just experienced a final. We’ve got a collective with a non-traditional professional Fremantle mindset, we’ve got the right guy in charge and we’re on a trend heading in a north east direction. We haven’t even cracked the window yet! We’re only warming up!

We’re a bit light on for detail and analysis here so we’ll dig much deeper on the pod and relive and re-visit those irrational instinctive questions.

So, if you’re struggling to come to terms with the result and managing the fall out is too heavy a burden, well many ears make light listening, so come in for the conversation. We'll talk through the temporary trauma, absolve the anguish, make some mental mending milestones and procure the pragmatic perspective ready to purple back up and go again in about 6 months’ time.

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It's been a while between purple pints. But you get the feeling we're going to be well hydrated over the next decade. Time to Restump preview podcast the start of our September quest.

Does this September participation feeling ever diminish? Or has the drought and the heartbreak of often orchestrating our own demise over the journey created this exhilaration? Not sure, but something tells me given our history, we'll never take the sight of September for granted.

It's time to put away the pitchforks and remove the hands from the holsters of those who were gunning for the club and coach.

We haven't found ourselves in finals facilitated by favourable results falling around us. We forced our way in winning 12 of our last 14, many against fierce foes. And when it came down to the final affair, the do or die clash against the dogs, we were formidably emphatic.

So, where does it position us? Past results now count for nothing and have no bearing on what is to come.

We rightly go in Saturday night as favourites, but if we have any hint of forgone conclusionary mindsets, the Suns will seize on it.

While there's a dash of relief making finals, the pressure on Saturday night is all on us. The Suns are September debutants, so they'd have a weight-off-the-shoulders feeling and an element of freedom about them, which can be a positive or a negative. Reaching finals for the first time, they may feel the job is done and subconsciously play accordingly. But they may also have that dangerous now 'nothing to lose' mentality and play unrestrained with reckless abandon.

However, lets not forget they have a 3-time premiership ‘been there done that’ coach at the helm. Damien Hardwick won't have the satisfied mindset and he'll pull all the psychological levers to ensure his players don't either.

Apart from the obvious, both teams have additional reasons to perform. For us, while it is his final appearance in WA, this could be the final time Nat Fyfe, the generational player, who won himself and us two Brownlow medals, who regularly carried out club through some dark times, graces us with his on-field presence if we lose.

And for Gold Coast, their club's first ever draftee and co-captain, David Swallow, has called time on his career and goes out in his and the Sun's debut finals campaign.

Both players could have abandoned their perennially unsuccessful clubs at times and there were no shortage of options. But they dug in and showed a rare loyalty at the expense of potential premiership expense, until now.

Interestingly, Nat Fyfe and David Swallow both are West Aussies, one club career players and both currently sit on 247 games, providing a chance to play a deserved 250.

There are a host of heartstring tugging motivations for both sides regarding these two magnificent players to draw upon, should added inspiration be required.

While we should just concentrate on the now, if we were to pull off the unthinkable, every game from here is an elimination final. And should we get to and plant our purple flag on the promised land, taking into account our elimination final against the Dogs, we'd be the first club in history to win the premiership with 5 elimination finals!

We've been set up well by the club, the coaching staff and recruiters. They've created the framework for success and now the opportunity is there for the players.

Home and away and finals footy are two different bags, so are we ready as a group? Is the 'why not us' cliché fitting? Maybe, maybe not, but Saturday night is the first step to finding out.

There's still 48 hours or so until bouncedown! So, if you're on edge and dealing with some purple

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It’s often said “A wrong King still believes his crown makes him right.” Give it up Kingy, there’s no place left to hide. JL has got your number! Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s magnificent September securing victory against the dauntless Dogs.

There was barely an institution that didn’t write us off. The media, the footballing world, the bookies and my postman gave us no hope. But why? Why was so much analytical weight and judgment placed upon the loss to the Brisbane Lions a week bacl? Was our previous 3 months invisible? Did the pundits not even bother to watch the Fox Footy mini’s?

Justin Longmuir got on the front foot though as he was having none of it and he wasn’t shy in letting them know. However, let’s hope they all double down and write us off again in 2 weeks’ time.

In real time, we’d all be lying if we said we didn’t harbour some minor concerns half way through that first quarter. But we’d seen that movie before several times in recent months and, more often than not, it had a favourable twist.

Stop, take your hat off and give the defensive collective an acknowledging nod because we were able to build that win on it’s ability and relentless efforts to weather the Dog’s high pressure, 19 inside fifty storm. It kept us in the game when others couldn’t. The individuals were remarkable. No one does what our defensive delegation did to Sam Darcy!

Depending on how you view it, its either worrying or pleasing seeing Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong combine for just a 5 possession first quarter. Worrying because they got destroyed, but pleasing because we were still able to win centre clearance for the quarter and set up four scoring chances. Hayden Young, take a bow!

The Dogs did well at trying to rattle our cages early with their pressure but we dealt with it, we regrouped at quarter time and then we let go with a scintillating period of footy that saw us put an uninterrupted run of 8 goals on the board.

Sure, the Dogs have some defensive deficiencies but our forwards were phenomenal, showing no mercy in exploiting the advantage. Everyone got their unhygienic lick of the what would now be germ riddled ice-cream. But even contracting covid was an acceptable risk if it meant seeing Jye Amiss in the embryonic stage of a return to some serious form!

If you put your hat back on, can you please remove it once more as we have a moment of respect and marvel at Murphy Reid yet again? Everything he touches turns to gold… or rather goal. It’s not too often that a first-year player becomes irreplaceable and a vital cog in the team wheel. It’s done, pull your dress down Mary, the shows over. All bets are off… just give him the rising star medal!

And while our hata are still off, give a nod of appreciation to Bailey Banfield who has reinvented himself in a meaningful way.

While we appeared to be cruising to victory, the Dogs are too good a team to not mount a comeback. On the back of the magnificent Marcus Bontempelli, he dragged them back to somewhat within striking distance late in the final term. Yes, Ok, a nerve or two crept in, but we’re not that same old Fremantle team anymore. We weren’t letting this September securing victory slip through our fingers. Bring on September!

We didn’t put too much weight on last week’s loss to the Brisbane Lions and their win over the Hawks justified our position. So, likewise, given the Dog’s record against top eight teams, we’re not getting carried away with the win over them either. Having said that, it doesn’t mean we’re not bouncing off the walls excited about being part of September this year!

So, you know what to do. If you’re foraging for a fistful more of Freo fanfare, don yo

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We pick up the bits and pieces that are recognisable and look to the Dogs. Time to Restump Podcast the life leveller the Lions landed on us, which wasn’t as horrific as the picture suggests.

Probably unpopular opinion but that performance wasn’t as, pun intended, catastrophic as the outrage infers. In context of the play, it's possible to be in the game but not on the scoreboard, and for much of the 80+ minutes we were.

Quite simply you can't kick 8 points straight, not kick a goal until the 2nd term and, despite our recent efforts, expect to run teams down, especially of the Lion’s ilk.

We can rant and rave and question how did we not perform to a necessary level in what was largely a make-or-break game. But the Lions, the 2 two consecutive grand finalists and reigning premiers, were in the same season on the line boat.

Were we overawed early? Could we not adapt to the Lion’s well researched and executed strategy? Yes, to some degree on both accounts. But we overcame it and produced enough chances to be on par at quarter time. The shots on goal and the forward attacks we butchered were both of our own doing and the Lion’s pressure.

Albeit with some costly blemishes, our defensive unit again stood up under adversity to keep us within reach at quarter time. They dealt with a 47-to-16-mark deficit resulting in a 15 to 7 inside 50 count for the Lions. The game would've been over had it not been for the defensive crew.

We adjusted and equalised the game in the 2nd term. While we still went -20 marks, we’d settled and secured the corridor and cut off their supply to go in 8 points down at the half.

However, the Lions didn’t fluke the 2024 premiership. Their 16 finals, 4 preliminary finals and 2 grand finals weren’t luck. They’re an extremely tough and talented backs to the wall side and they were able to draw on that monstrous body of big game experience to rise to another level we simply don’t have in us as yet.

It isn’t the standalone game to judge individuals on, but Luke Jackson was off and nowhere near his recent influential best. Alex Pearce had a mare, or rather too many marish moments, Freddy needs his radar realigned this week and Josh Treacy must learn to pull up and not play on after marking in a goal square. Is Andy Brayshaw carrying something significant injury-wise? His recent output hasn’t been at AB level. What about the Disco? Saturday continued a lean trend for him. And where are we all sitting on Jye Amiss? 5 touches last week, 3 on the weekend. He was handy prior to that though.

We’ve won 11 of our last 13, we’ve beaten some serious sides from behind on numerous occasions. It’s an exceptional string of performances, but did those games include the best there is? I’d suggest not and that means we’re a very good side, but we’re not yet in the top echelon. We’re making gigantic inroads, but we’re not invincible.

Our recent wins have predominantly been built on accurate kicking. 15 goals 4 against Carlton, 12 goals 5 against Hawthorn and 12 goals 7 against the Pies. Almost identical scoring shots against Brisbane, 5 goals 14, and we lose by 57 points.

Personally, it’s is somewhat of an understandable performance and one which doesn’t really say a great deal other than that we were put to the sword by a very good flag favoured side.

For that reason, it shouldn't impact our confidence levels going up against the Dogs, a high scoring side with defensive deficiencies.

Anyway, more discussion needed so, let’s pick it up on the pod. However, if you’re a candidate for misery needing company or if its purple pessimism you’re looking for, you couldn’t be further from the right place. We’re going to defe

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Not sure if Paddy has the conventional Lion taming temperament, but it’ll be one hell of a spectacle. Time to Restump Podcast preview Freo's Friday night’s clash against the Brissie Lions.

It’s almost beyond comprehension that we’re starting round 23 in the top four. Thinking back to that infamous and well documented appalling performance against St Kilda in round 8, it was unfathomable at the time to even contemplate making the finals. How far we have come in a short space of time… 11 wins from our last 13 games? Shut your face, I don’t believe you!

We take on the Lions and if we have any chance of remaining in the top four at season’s end, we need to ensure it is a successful safari hunt Friday evening.

The reigning premiers have chopped up a bit in the last few weeks, losing to the Suns and Swans. Is that a positive or a negative for us? A positive in that they may be a little shaky, but it could well be a negative because they will be filthy and ferocious Friday night.

Our form is good, maybe not quite as good as 11 wins from 13 games suggests, but good enough to take it right up to Brisbane, so we shouldn’t be fearful going in. But while they’ve only won 2 final quarter in their previous 6 games and despite having been run down after leading at ¾ time three times this year… I’m not sure we should continue leaving our run until the final term.

From our perspective, unfortunately Izzy Dudley is heading back to the twos but we welcome back Corey Wagner for some defensive bulk. For the Lion’s Brandon Starcevich makes his return and similar to Wagner, his defensive pressure will be a positive for them.

Interestingly enough, Brisbane decided against running two recognised ruckmen to go up against Darcy and Jackson. Surely, we can run Darcy Fort into the ground?

While it’s an advantage for us that Lachie Neale isn’t playing, it would have been fitting for him to be out there against the great Nat Fyfe, maybe for one last time? Brisbane have us and the Hawks to come, it’s not outside the realms of possibility that they miss the eight!

But right now, nostalgia takes a back seat and sentiment sits on the side-lines because there is serious business to get done. We really want to concentrate on Friday night and we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves… but if we beat the Lions this week, the Dogs next week and the Crows can beat the Pies on Saturday, we’re a serious chance at hanging onto a top four finish.

With it being a double header and Fremantle being the later game, it’s the Friday night semi-big stage. So, it should at least halve any possible big stage fright… shouldn’t it? However, be that as it may, the overriding problem for us fans is that we can’t help the early onset of anxiety!

But a problem shared is a problem halved! So, if your nerves are starting to rumble as well, then pitch in and join the pre-game group calming therapy on the preview pod. Preparing a plan B is always prudent… so, maybe bring some Valium with you just in case.

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Can we ease up on the escapee artistry? Too many more of those wins and our hearts will escape our chest cavities! Time to Restump Podcast the too close for comfort win over a plucky Port Power... oh and the heart-breaking Nat Fyfe news none of us wanted.

You can have all the science in the world at your disposal and access to the greatest minds, but no one escapes the aging process. Even the great man Nat Fyfe is but a mere mortal.

It was the news we all knew was coming, we just didn’t know when. Many of us hoped there was one more year in the dual Brownlow medallist, but he’s called time on his illustrious and unrivalled career. He thrilled us for now 16 years, he delivered the club accolades, he provided hope when there was none and, more times than we can count, he picked up the team and carried it across the line.

After David Mundy’s farewell a few years back, Sonny Walter’s exit a couple of weeks ago and now Fyfey’s departure, it brings to an end the 2013 premiership era representation at Freo. While we have and will continue to live on the vivid memories, it sadly closes the door to a period that we, as Fremantle football club loving purple people, cherished and built our future hope on.

Could we do the unthinkable? In our 31st year in the league, could the fairy-tale unfold? Is the prospect of sending off the great man with a premiership medal based in any possible reality? Imagine the absurd sense of exhilaration of it. It would send the club and us fans to nostalgic levels beyond our current comprehension.

Fate is in our own hands. Leave nothing to chance, leave nothing in the tank and leave winning not until the end, like we have been doing of late. Lets go all in and immortalise Fyfey and the Fremantle Football club.

Speaking of not leaving winning until the last second, are we pushing our luck? I know we self-profess to be a “win from anywhere” team but do we have to prove it up every week? Just because we can, doesn't mean we should. Could we just bring things forward a touch and put results to bed before we pass out with anxiety?

We genuinely got out of jail Saturday night. We didn't play anywhere near out best and a depleted Port Adelaide took advantage and all but put us away.

Without some Alex Pearce heroics, aided by his trusty Serong sidekick, it would have been "good old Freo found another way to screw it up” again. But this new mentally tough purple posse is a different bag. There's a resilience there now and a coinciding self-belief. There's a calmness about them when surrounded by chaos late in games. They're well drilled, they execute rehearsed strategies and they're super fit. But is it a sustainable strategy? Is it conducive to the ultimate success?

Too much to get through here so let’s pick it all up on the pod. So, wipe your Fyfey news tears, bring your box of Kleenex and grab your security blanket. Hey, we don’t have all the answers and we’re not the gate keepers of keynotes or guardians of the gab, so settle in get involved and add your piece to the Docker dialogue.

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Yes, he does and he also confiscated much of Carlton’s ball before redistributing it. Bloody marksist! Time to Restump Podcast Sunday’s tough win over those bold and brazen Blues.

There'd be numerous schools of thought in regards to the game. One is we were horrid for much of it. No, that’s far enough.. we stunk it up for a half! We were beaten up around the ball, we relentlessly fumbled, played unintelligently and we couldn't execute under the Blue's pressure.

Then there's the counterview. The above happened, but we hung in there, took the hits, regrouped, started playing as a team rather than individuals, began to play a style conducive to the conditions and piled on a 10+ goal 2nd half to run away for a near on 5 goal win.

As a rate of all round improvement and growth of the collective, I lean towards the latter. Sure, that type of performance probably doesn’t cut it deep in September, but did we get a truer picture of where we genuinely are? Recent years, we didn't have the physical and mental capacity to win like we did yesterday, or our earlier games against the Pies, Hawks and co this season.

Yesterday was another for the “not as good or as bad as it seems” files.

When a team, injury depleted or otherwise, has nothing to lose, they release the shackles and play with a dangerous freedom. While we didn’t handle it well, their pressure was off the chart for arguably 3 quarters. It forced us into our old self-preservation, dump kick and hospital handball traits. Old habits hey? But now we do have the capacity to rectify things in game.

Karl Worner must be on cloud nine. He was magnificent at times yesterday, showing up when it was most vital. His defensive smothers and big marks in the final term played no small part in the win.

Andy Brayshaw had a rare mare and Caleb Serong was shut out for 3 quarters. Then when we started playing for each other and running protection rackets, everything changed. Serong’s last quarter 9 touches, 6 of them contested, turned the momentum.

Clunker Treacy played one of his best games. He was a focal point at times all over the ground, kicked 3 ripping goals of his own and to do it when the midfield was being belted, is even more meritorious.

Do we win without Jaegar O’Meara superbly performing the job he was handed mid game to shut down George Hewitt? I have my doubts.

Tragically we saw Hayden Young go down with a groin injury and, depending on severity, it has to cast some concern over our full September potential.

However, old man Fyfe did a fair bit of timely damage in the WAFL on the weekend. Was it coincidence? Is this the sentimentalist’s dreamer? Could this be the universe delivering the unthinkable?

With now 14 wins, we’ve all but secured a final’s berth. However, celebrations should be on hold because we still need one more victory to certify it, so the door to devastation is still slightly ajar. We still all suffer the scars sustained from our uncanny ability to secure an end of a season slump!

For sick and twisted, almost perverse theatrical purposes and in the manner of how we do things in the most unconventional but weirdly entertaining way at Freo, there is a part of me that would love it to come down to our final encounter against Lobby and his Dogs in round 24.

Oh c’mon, how does anyone think like that! Let’s just get it done against Port this week.

The depth we dive to talk everything Freo, is deeper than the hole West Coast have dug themselves into. So, if you want to consume Docker drivel and disregard the safety level, bang our noisy nonsense in the seashells on the sides of your skull and we’ll all overdose on the purple together.

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Sorry Blue boys, there's no room at the purple Inn. Time to Restump Podcast preview Sunday's must win game against the Carlton crew.

We're in ripping form, we've got quite a healthy list, we're at home and we're rightfully long odds on to beat the out of form and depleted team of mercenary Blues. So, why are we not feeling as arrogantly confident about the task this week, as we did last week?

I'll tell you why... because the spirit of Jack Newnes still haunts us! Because we're still not over the 2024 gather round atrocity we suffered against this very side! And because as ordinary and as seemingly broken as the Lygon Street Lira chasers are, they're not as atrocious as that rabble up the road!

However, if we can set aside that irrational hysteria, we look at the Blues outfit and fail to see Charlie Curnow, Adam Cerra, Sam Walsh and Mitch McGovern. While they have enough talent over the team they're sending out Sunday to cause some issues, surely, that quartet of absentees should alleviate most of our fears?

We've had some interesting tussles against the Blues over the journey. Amazingly 17 of our 41 encounters have been decided by 3 goals or less, 11 of them by single digit margins. Is that the cause of the slight feeling of unease?

The Western Lobbradors did us a massive favour Thursday night destroying GWS along with their percentage and the Crows put the Hawks in a precarious position last night which is also beneficial for us. They are gifts we need to make the most of by consolidating them with a good numbered win on Sunday.

While we wouldn’t mind adding an Alex Pearce to the team to stand Harry McKay, we’re going in with an unchanged line up.

We’re playing really good footy, results are falling favourably around us and we’re oozing stability managing a predominantly healthy list coming into the right time of the season. Everything is coming up Milhouse!

Did the Chief go too far with the West Coast Eagle commentary? We feel an apology is on order for overstepping the line with some insensitive remarks. So, the Neighbourhood Watch may unfortunately get wheeled out. Meanwhile, after a couple of atrocious weeks with the audio, we just hope Jojo concentrates on correctly pushing the buttons of a different kind.

Anyway, while nobody asked for it or truly wants it, let's get this purple palaver underway on the pod. So, if, like us, you subscribe to the notion that too much nonsensical noise is never enough, you're amongst like-minded folk. Come on in, make yourself at home and join in the conversation.

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Nearly a four large fine for Paddy because Harley wasn’t watching where he was going! What a travesty! Is this where the revenue raising AFL corporation world has gotten to? Time to Restump Podcast the formality that was Saturday afternoon.

Paddy Voss should be hailed, heralded and and held up as a beacon of compassion and restraint. He had the chance to put Harley Reid in the morgue. But he fought every fibre of his being and showed wonderful discipline to not follow through.

Pre-game we’re all for it, but we take no enjoyment sticking the banter boots into West Coast post-game after a win. Hey, we don’t make the rules, we just abide by them.

The entire day was a formality. It was simply a matter of just going through the motions and overseeing the safe transport of the 4 valuable points into our win account. It was a precisely calculated and managed, bigger fish to fry performance.

At three quarter time JL gave them a spray telling them to be mindful of their excursion and to reel in the effort and intensity! He said, “This is July and they’re blue and gold traffic cones, so leave plenty out there and I don’t want to see anyone come off that ground with an empty tank!”

Understandably, apart from Liam Ryan standing on Karl Worner’s head, the game never reached any great heights. While similar in age and relative experience, there were two vastly different classes of teams out there and there was a boat load of daylight between them.

However, it was pretty enjoyable watching the surely now unbackable 2025 rising star winner, Murphy Reid, go about his business yet again like a seasoned veteran. His craft, his ability to execute and his intelligence… he has no purple peer!

Well maybe that’s not quite true because that guy Hayden Young is thereabouts. What a welcome inclusion he is. We’ve missed him all year and his return to the side couldn’t have been better timed. 23 disposals, 6 inside 50s, 7 clearances and an absurd 3 goals. And if you thought that was mental, he ridiculously did it with just 57% of time on ground.

Can we stop and appreciate the work of Jaegar O’Meara? The endless variety of roles and tasks he has been asked to do since he arrived at the club, not many players could perform them to such a level he has. Albeit acknowledging the disparity in age and experience and condition between the two, his work on Harley Reid on the weekend was superb.

It was a convincing win but it wasn’t the percentage booster we were all hoping for. We did put on 3% though and surprisingly we’re now ahead of Brisbane on the metric.

However, we’re rarely been big on percentage. We’ve been a big percentage boosting team at times in the past, but unfortunately it has usually been for an opponent! So, lets just focus on the winning. A place in the top 8, possibly top 4, is ours to lose.

This game probably perfectly falls into the never as good or as bad as it seems category. We weren’t at our best but we won comfortably. We generated a lot of shots on goal but our inaccuracy hurt us.

Not really sure what else we learn from the game, but given it was against West Coast there’d no doubt be some substance to take out of it! Oh, c’mon it’s West Coast… it’s cheap shots and lame lines in more ways than one, all round!

Anyway, lets engage the detection dogs and get them to run their noses over the game on the pod. So, feel free to join us as we wrap up the Derby proceedings and begin the Carlton focus commentary.

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Isn’t one of the perks of being an AFL footballer that it saves you from digging ditches for a living? $2 million a year and he still has to get on the end of spoony type shovel at that club! Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s stroll towards September.

Yes, we know, you’re screaming “footy Gods” “you’ll jinx us” and “don’t tempt fate.”

Too late! We’ve gone all in, chips in the middle of the table. I mean in 1789 Benjamin Franklin wrote “Nothing is certain except death, taxes and Fremantle beating West Coast on the 26th July 2025.” The guy was obviously a prophet.

Sure, we all remember and we’re all still dealing with the scars of round 6 last year when West Coast found a way to beat us. But we’re not that team anymore and we haven’t been that team since round eight this year against the Saints. Like West Coast Eagles at a community holiday program for kids, we were absent that day.

We’re a mentally tough outfit now, we’ve eradicated the periods of lethargy and inattentiveness, we now turn up at the first bounce week in week out and we’re playing with an authority and confidence.

There are no omens here, there’s no voodoo, no juju that’ll stop us winning Saturday. I mean the Coasters went all in to try and give their fans something against Richmond last week, a club that is further back in it’s rebuild, and they got embarrassed.

Look at their list they’re rolling out! They should be called the West Coast Owls, because every time you hear one of their players mentioned, you say, who?

The only possible disappointing outcome on Saturday will be if we don’t retrieve enough percentage from the opportunity. Maybe potential injuries as well… but hey we’re not tempting the footy injury gods!

I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re going all in with the Restump Investment Fund on the $1.03 about Freo winning. Its virtually free money!

For some balance and grounding and some across the aisle compassion though, there could be an extending of the olive branch in an episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

If you’re onboard the purple bulldozing bandwagon and you need something to listen to, press play on the pod and you’ll probably get more of this type of nonsense!

The only threat of complacency exists in the unnerving minds of the fickle and hesitant. Get out of here you doubting Thomases!

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Is young Murphy Reid now the benchmark? He certainly is at the MCG after leaving a mark on the bench that Brayden Maynard callously and recklessly shoved him into! Time to Restump Podcast the thrilling possibility door opening win over the Pies.

Other than putting it down to heart and soul, a relentless work rate, self-belief, an absurd forward efficiency and a defensive collective that should be paid triple time for the amount of work it did, I’m not exactly sure how we won that game!

The Pie’s pressure was mental, the ball lived in their forward half and they pumped us for inside fifties. I mean we lost the inside fifty count 63 to 40! We had the lowest number of inside fifties of any team over the entire weekend; it was against the league’s best team who sat games clear at the top of the ladder and yet we somehow managed to not only keep them to one goal from a massive 20 inside fifties in the 3rd term, we scored one in every two of our total entries to win the game. And, I may add, against the best defence in the league!

That stuff needs a bearded stooge in a lab coat armed with a beaker, a petri dish and bunsen burner to work out how it all happened.

Is it a sustainable on field football business model? Well, if the Prancing Pony can guarantee us he’ll bang through 6 straight every week, then absolutely it is. However, in reality here on earth, as talented as Vossy is, it’s an unfair and unrealistic request.

So, the answer is probably no, it isn’t sustainable. We can’t put those expectations on our defensive unit or an individual. But to momentary hell with that, it worked on the weekend, the valuable 4 points are in the bag and while we’re trying to keep a lid on things, the “why not us” question is gaining some traction.

You should never ask a question you don’t already know the answer to. So, with that been said, is Luke Jackson the best kick at goal in the entire AFL? Under pressure from long range… he’s kicked 14 goals 3 this year.

We have to say it’s comforting having a fit Jaegar O’Meara back. We’ve missed his presence around the ball and when he does get an opportunity to hit the scoreboard, he’s usually of the Luke Jackson ilk.

And speaking of welcomed returns, do we win that game without a quarter and a bit from Hayden Young? Maybe, maybe not, but I’m glad we don’t have to find out.

Could Josh Treacy be the greatest swingman the game has ever seen? One game saving mark is happenstance; two separate game saving marks could be classed as coincidence. But now a third separate game saving mark is a behavioural pattern! We wanted to speak to JT about it but he’s in surgery having Darcy Moore’s knees removed from his spine!

And lastly can we have some gratitude for and send some love to the serial scapegoat and whipping boy, Bailey Banfield? He had a ripping game and has thrived upon becoming a part of the backline band.

We’ve now beaten Gold Coast on their home deck, GWS at their circus showgrounds and Collingwood in their Colosseum. However, nothing is assured and there is plenty still to play out, and while unfortunately a very good team is going to miss finals this year, we’re in some serious shape.

For now, though, let’s not worry about the what ifs, let’s disregard the data, put aside the predictions, projections and premonitions and continue Monday marvelling at our mastery in a magnificent moment at the MCG. So, pull up a pew, pour yourself a potion, press play on the pod and partake in our picking apart of the Pies and the Purple.

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Blood, Switta and tears encapsulates Saturday night and it was the exception to the ‘never as good or as bad as it seems’ rule. As a moment, an occasion and result, it was better than it seemed! Time to Restump Podcast the magical, emotional and successful night against the Hawks.

It was a ridiculously hard fought, combative, nonstop four quarter contest with Brayshaw’s bloodied brain container, Sammy Switkowski returning to play one of his best career games and then the emotional tears taking its toll as we all struggled to say goodbye to Sonny.

Whether they are meaningful or not, so many elements went into and came together to make Saturday night what it was. It had an elimination final feel for both clubs so there was already an overflow of anxiety and pressure and while it was absurd criticism after the Swans loss, no Freo player, coach or fan wanted to give the critics any hint of even fake validation by losing. The contest was incredibly fierce, we then had to come from behind in the fourth quarter, and finally we had Sonny’s send-off which couldn’t have been what it was, had we dropped the game.

These may seem like insignificant points to many other team’s football supporters, but you get the feeling that you had to be a Freo fan to understand the enormity of it. Unless you’ve been through the deepest darkest depths of football fan despair, you can’t truly comprehend or experience the full scope of the exhilaration Saturday night served up.

It’s difficult to deliver a high class and clean performance when the heat is on like it was, but the skill level out there under those conditions was impressive. The pressure was relentless and while it got the better of us early and we couldn’t get near the ground ball, we managed to again fight our way in, take control of the contest, and steer the ship home. Dare we say another maturing performance?

It was a well-rounded, ferocious one in all in, team-oriented display, built on a record 103 tackles. If we put that on continuous repeat, it’ll carry us a long way.

We did only generate 15 scoring shots for the game, which was the equal second lowest on the weekend from all 18 teams, but it was an anomaly in regards to our recent form and our accuracy covered for it.

We’re a day delayed because we had to let the goose bumps subside, the hair on the back of our necks set back down and wait for our inbuilt Sonny inspired water works taps to turn off.

But we can’t wait to talk about this game in more depth and relive the occasion. So, like us, if you’re not ready to move on just yet, join us on the pod as we prolong the Saturday night magic and continue Sonny’s send-off party.

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With great possession power comes great accountability. Time to Restump Podcast Sunday’s small setback.

Our 6-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of powerful Swans, who quite simply were just too good.

With all their guns back and runs under their belts, the 2024 Grand Finalists found their form and returned to that familiar relentless pressure applying unit. For all but 3 quarters, whichever combination we tried, we had no answers to their centre bounce dominance.

The Swan’s James Jordan continues taking down big names and numbers and unfortunately Caleb Serong was next on his list to tick off… in more ways than one.

Opposing teams are laser focused on Caleb. His name would be on all opposition whiteboards in big bold black letters pre-game. So, we must start giving him a chop out, provide him some assistance by running some blocks and putting some physical heat on opponents for him. Are we capable of that? What we wouldn't have given for a fit Fyfe out there!

We've obviously got centre clearance issues but the re-emergence of Jaegar O'Meara may well help alleviate some of them. His influence upon being injected into the game was instant and hindsight says maybe we should've rolled the dice and pulled the sub lever sooner.

While he may not have the size and strength yet, is there midfield room for a ridiculously skilful rising star favourite, Murphy Reid?

It's no secret Jye is struggling a bit. His confidence has deserted him and it has taken his snooker cue straight kicking, dead eye Jye moniker with it. Backing a player in to fight the form slump is admirable, but are there time limits? Does Jye need a breather, a release of pressure in the twos to tear the WAFL apart for a week?

While the axe grinding, coach sacking callers will melt down over the first loss in 6 weeks, an objective view would realise the Swans, with their top liners match fit, who were $1.60 favourites and had won 13 of 20 games against us at the SCG, had to play at a high and relentless level to beat us. To be absolutely belted in the midfield yet still all but win the game against that Swan’s outfit… some issues need attention but we are doing a hell of a lot right.

With a couple of recent wins over much lower placed teams we needed a test to see where we are. We got the test and the answer and it appears we’re in really good shape for a 4th to 9th team. It may be an inconvenience to hear, but we’re simply not at the Collingwood or Brisbane level yet… but we’re not far off it.

Obviously, we're all disappointed with the loss and what it momentarily means, but in the end, we didn't take enough of the chances and the Swans did. Sometimes you just have to say, too good.

We're out of the eight but we're just a win and % out of 3rd and % out of 6th. We have enough winnable games to come to secure a spot in September. The opportunity is there if we want to take it.

We're not exactly bouncing off the walls with excitement but if it's pessimism you're looking for, check your GPS coordinates because they’ve led you astray. There's an empty room somewhere looking for you to take the shortest view in.

But if it's a balanced mixture of wider constructive perspective and bouts of exaggerated nonsense, the kettle is on. So, come in, make yourself a coffee, bang this noise in your ears, give us your thoughts and make yourself at home.

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What's all this commotion about the SCG surface? It shouldn’t be a problem for our beloved Freo Dockers as we’ve been skating on thin ice for thirty years! Time to Restump Podcast the shifting sands show against the Swannies.

It’s a sad time having to accept Sonny Walters on the big stage is no more. We all knew it was coming, but while the decision to call it a day hadn't been made, we were able to live in hope. Our denial dwelling has now been extinguished and the reality of it, we must live in.

However, let's not mourn his football passing, but rather be grateful he existed in our era. As we all know, the game is bigger than the individual, so the show must go on.

Sunday, we meet the Swans for the 2nd time this season and, for some reason, it makes me a little nervous. We should’ve beaten them back in round 2 but we found a way to avoid carrying the heavy 4-point burden.

The reality is we are a much better football team now than we were then, so we shouldn't be fearful. Like last week against the Saints, we need some retribution, albeit with more of a 4 points primary objective.

Worryingly though, the Bloods are on the improve. It feels they're finding their way back to that hard combative tough to beat familiar Swans outfit and, on top of that, they've won 13 of 20 encounters against us at the SCG.

Ruckman Brodie Grundy has recaptured his top form recently and both Errol Gulden and Tom Papley now have gotten a few games under their belts. It just feels like we’re getting Sydney a few weeks too late. However, we do need a genuine challenge superior to North, Essendon and St Kilda to provide us an update of where we are.

Horses for courses might exclude the ground conditions because we’re recalling captain Pearce and running with Darcy on the slippery deck. We cannot cotton wool them forever, especially when we're one of the nine teams desperately trying to squeeze into eight spots.

With the Dogs winning last night it leaves us in 7th, in front of the Suns in 8th who are playing Essendon, and the Giants in 9th up against West Coast. Both should win comfortably so the pressure is on and it'll leave us in a precarious position if we’re unable to skate past the Swannies.

Enough of the short pointed written stuff. Time to get out the ice pick and break the game down further. So, if the chilly gap between now and Sunday morning needs some purple warmth, don the beanie, ear muffs and gloves, pull on the freshly sharpened bladed skating boots and join us for a session on the conversational preview pod rink.

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Most of us will forever love Rosco. However, while difficult and precarious at times, it was pretty pleasing to enter the Optus Stadium safari park Sunday and take down a big game Lyon. Time to Restump Podcast the successful hunting expedition.

It is still both traumatic and reassuring to revisit our previous encounter against Rosco and his Saintly pride. While we were largely our own worst enemy on the day, they brutally ripped us to shreds in what was an unwatchable massacre. However, fast forward eight weeks and we righted the wrongs and made amends.

Do the subsequent positives, including the retributive win yesterday, outweigh the negatives of that fateful day eight weeks ago? Did we need the mindset realignment mauling? We'll never know but going into yesterday, I'm not sure we'd have been on the end of a five-game winning streak had we not suffered that troubling experience. The great man did take us to a grand final… did our former coach inadvertently do us another favour?

In or beyond the football world everyone at some stage in their lives has to take their beneficial beating. Our core group took theirs eight weeks back. It was a humiliating and embarrassing belting on the big stage that put the climactic cap on some catastrophic form.

The depths of despair are often where the healing begins and change is born, but it takes some sort of catalytic event to arrive at the arena of realisation. It’s evident by the reported hard spoken truths, the subsequent soul searching and the carrying of energising scars since, that the previous Saints game was our season defining moment of mortality. Yesterday’s performance only put an exclamation point on it.

The team we were eight weeks back to the team we have been since is unrecognisable. We’re not in the top echelon yet, but we’re a different unit, a more psychologically pro-active collective exuding energised initiative. We’re now a group of personal responsibility taking, team-oriented and driven individuals.

We've now arrived at the end of the rare period in which we made hay while the home ground sun shone. In a recent era, within this season, the thought of vital wins would have rendered us jittery, robbing us of maximising the benefit from the advantageous run of home ground games. But while it has been a great yield, the harvest is far from complete.

While our hopes of hitting back and securing 4 points of retribution were realised, the victory was more important for bigger fish to fry reasons. We’re sitting in 6th but we’ve got three teams breathing down our necks, Gold Coast have a game in hand and we’re all but occupying the equal lowest percentage of the top 9 teams. Clearly there is still plenty of work to be done, but you get the feeling we're up for the challenge.

Time for a further chat about the actual game on the pod in more depth... thankfully not the despair level depth! So, for whatever reason, if your ears have recently done you wrong and you’re looking for revenge on them, our nonsensical purple noise is a fitting retributive punishment.

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So productively in sync and inseparable are Serong and Jackson, they’re starting to morph into one Calukeb Jacksong entity! Time to Restump Podcast the dispatching of the Dons.

A combined 56 possessions, 48 hitouts, 17 clearances, 18 score involvements, over 1,000 metres gained and 5 goals neat from Serong and Jackson! Coles and Woolworths are screaming, “What about that duopoly!”

Let’s just get all the prefacing out of the way early. Yes, it was Essendon, yes, we were expected to win comfortably, yes, they’re battling and yes, Vigo Visantini was their sole ruck on debut.

With that been said and now subconsciously considered, Thursday was a job satisfactorily and entertainingly done.

Despite the first quarter midfield dominance of the Dons, the result really was never in doubt. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Are we better than that display? Maybe in patches and on occasions, but taking into account the last 5 weeks of form, we’re probably a 4th to 9th type of team at the moment.

Did our rare as hens teeth accurate kicking make us appear more overall dominant than we truly were? The second and third quarters we piled on 10 goals 1 to the Bomber’s 4 goals 6. On paper, at least, they’re the same opportunities.

Anyway, focusing on the underlying possible realities isn’t necessarily fun, so let’s talk about Luke Jackson instead. Remember back to those days when there were those who were angry at the club for spending up on what Jackson cost us, suggesting he was overrated? Those crazy dazey times!

His ruckwork was one thing, but his fourth midfielder traits somehow astonishingly continue to increase. And not enough fuss has been made about his 3 goals! They weren’t gimmes or marks in the goal square, they were from long range and or under pressure on the run.

And the other member of Calukeb Jacksong, did he have a day out or what? When Caleb Serong, not exactly known for his accuracy, hit that goal from the boundary… it was put the glasses down, this game is done.

Elsewhere, Corey Wagner’s stock continues to rise after another super polished performance, clamping down on Zac Merret. He attended a career high 17 of the 29 centre bounces.

Jordie Clark must be an All-Australian lock and Luke Ryan was back to his mopping up everything best.

On top of kicking goals and clunking grabs, Josh Treacy hunts opponents down. He literally corals, confuses and catches them. Shai Bolton has simply made us a much better team and Freddy could have had a big day out.

Where are we all on Nat Fyfe? It is just his first true game back, but he attended just 5 centre bounces and had little to no impact up forward. Jojo stands by his hard call but the Chief is keeping the faith and extending the hand of opportunity. There is something about September that tells me we’ll be thankful for a Fyfe!

The Darcy conversation will only escalate. Have we done the right by him, throwing him to the Max Gawn and Toby Nankervis type wolves and then resting him against a debutant? Is there more to the resting story than we’re being told? We kneed to know!

We ticked the box that needed ticking, we made another 4-point deposit in the September action bank and we got some entertainment along the way. Let’s rinse and repeat!

The game does seem like it was long ago, but it was too entertaining not to dig conversationally deeper. So, bring your language luggage, grab your purple talking twigs and join us in the conversing corner as we all bang on about the banishment of the Bombers.

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We’ve been a circus at times but now we’re a Dogga and Prancing Pony show! Time to Restump Podcast the withdrawal of the 4 points from the Kanga bank.

When you get over the line in a last gasp effort against a team serially occupying cellar dwelling real estate, you’re usually disappointed and rarely anything more than relieved. However, on this occasion, North deserves the credit. They brought and applied a pressure level none of us saw coming and it was all but good enough to beat us.

However, in what is another step in the right direction and a feather in our cap, we found a way to win when previously we may not have done. Is this the maturing filtering through? The age and experience factors gradually starting to take shape?

Can we just dip our lids, applaud and enjoy the Voss gloss? A two-time club discard, what a revelation Paddy Voss has been. From outside looking in, not only has he played his part in transforming our former robotic and predictable manner, he has created energy with his enthusiasm and made a material contribution. We say the Saints game was the catalyst for Freo's turnaround, but has it been the Prancing Pony instead? He came in the game after and has kicked 10 goals in his 5 games since.

And while we’re on the topic of discarded players, Corey Wagner deserves a standing ovation. Luke Davies Uniacke was cutting us to ribbons, ending the first half with 20 touches and a goal. Second half, Mr Longmuir said, “Mr Davies Uniacke, meet Mr Wagner.” LDU ended the game with 27 touches.

Tristian Xerri was always going to be a problem but we saw some good improvement in Sean Darcy and while Luke Jackson didn’t have his substantial midfield impact, he still found a way to influence the game.

However, had it not been for the great Josh Treacy’s defensive acts, we may be singing a different tune today. Sure, you expect Cyclonic performances in wet weather, but his game saving mark backing into a pack of Kangaroos deep in defence with just moments to go, has been undersold. His subsequent kick out of bounds on the full… we won't mention that.

We won the game so the coaches obviously got it right, but there was a little disappointment in the subbing off of Neil Erasmus. For someone who has lacked opportunity and hasn’t put a foot wrong since his return, maybe there were grounds for keeping him on.

But with Fyfe looking for minutes, Nathan O’Driscoll playing superbly at Peel, Alex Pearce thereabouts, Izzy Dudley set to return and Brandon Walker closing in, there might be a few selection headaches and disappointments in the near future. Not a bad problem to have though.

It was the first of the five vital games that will determine our September quest and we got the dishes done. And at the end of the day, that is all we really needed to do. We now need to feast on the next four and sure up some percentage given the tightness of the battle for top eight spots.

It’s a short turnaround as this Thursday night we take it to the Dons who are coming off a belting at the hands of Geelong. We need to be ready for their response.

All in all it was a better win than a win over a bottom placed team suggests. We were made to work for it and we had to earn it. However, we got shown that we’re still susceptible to pressure and if a top eight team dropped it on us, they also probably wouldn’t allow us to score as freely and get away with it. Just some assessable balance food for thought.

It’s more a bank the 4 points and move on but there’s always plenty to bang on about. So, if you’re not ready to robotically put it behind us and be all methodical about it, feel free to join us on the pod to squeeze every last ounce of e

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You have to respect the hustle! Time to Restump Podcast the Saturday night clash against the well-rested, tin rattling, garage sale conducting, home game selling Kangas.

North Melbourne have been staying in WA for the entire week, showcasing Bunbury to Rottnest. We know they're a bit light in the pockets, but are they on the WA tourist bureau books?

Whatever the case, they're going to be well rested and while they played a game last week down in Bunbury, it's fair to say both Freo and the Kangas are coming off byes.

We're going in with an unchanged line-up and, in our most recent batch of form, it suggests complications and products of the bye should be our greatest hurdle. We're only tongue in cheek disrespecting the Kangas with our nonsense, but having watched their performance last week against the Eagles... we really shouldn't be losing this game.

While an unchanged line-up produces continuity and stability, it means on this occasion we're going around again without the captain and without our best option for Nick Larkey. The Kangas forward isn't in hot form but he can turn it on. Paul Curtis on the other hand has had a career best year to date and is one that we'll need to do a little more than keep an eye on.

Tristian Xerri is up there with, if not the best, rucks in the league and in the absence of a second ruck, he’ll be up against team JackArce. It will be interesting to see if there is any improvement not only in Sean Darcy’s game and condition, but more so his game time minutes.

Five weeks ago we’d just put in that insipid performance against St Kilda. We were all emotionally distraught, the sack the coach crowd were at fever pitch, our season was thought to be over and we were individually questioning all the decisions we’d made in our lives up until that point.

Fast forward to round 14 and we’ve run the premiership favourites to a couple of goals, beaten GWS, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast, sit in 9th with 7 wins staring at five winnable upcoming games with four of them at home to be eyeing off top four once again, and not a murmur from the “to hell with JL” gang!

We’ve won 50% of our post-bye games across our history. However, we’ve won 62.5% of our post-bye home games. As this is a post-bye away game at home, there isn’t exactly a sufficient sample size of indicative statistics for that!

While nothing is certain in life, victory over the Kangas on Saturday night should really be a formality. Yes, go ahead throw your accusations of “jinxing us” and “tempting the footy Gods” at me. The truth is, if we can’t beat superstition, we may as well sell our home games because we wouldn’t be a serious club!

It feels a case of little to win and much to lose with little hope of losing it. Conventionality will get the job done but procedural tendencies are uninspiring. Do we need some sort of Griffin Logue centred shenanigans to raise the vibration and spark enthusiasm?

Can we raise the spirits and lift the mental intensity on the pod as we discuss Saturday night’s clash against the Skippies? It’s a tall order! We offer no guarantees or returns, but we’ll give it a go.

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Was that a career best performance from Uncle Sam Switkowski? Or as a commentators call him Sam Swiskowski or Sam Sierakowski. Time to Restump Podcast that season setting up win over the Suns.

Have we moved from cautious optimism to guarded enthusiasm? Or has that magnificent victory seen a release of the shackles, sending us into expectational elation? But we must be measured and keep some perspective, as we know the dangers of getting ahead of ourselves. With that been said… we may never lose again!

Are we seeing the team and the performances we thought we’d see at round one this year? There has been a conspicuous shift across the board. There is a notable difference in the unwavering intent and effort, there is desire to contest, to run for each other and there has been widespread adoption of the non-negotiables.

The game plan has been tinkered with and there have been a couple of personnel changes and positional adjustments, but the predominant the change has been mentality.

It feels that the St Kilda game was the catalyst for change. Whatever happened post-match, whether it was the reading of the riot act, hard truths being aired or ultimatums given, it flicked the switch and snapped them out their funk. Will we look back in history and remember that game as our Keating recession moment, the horrendous performance we had to have?

But back to Saturday to that almost impossible victory.

It was so pleasing to see Sammy Switkowski put in a monster, arguably a career best game. All anyone is asking of him is to bring that consistency in effort and intent.

Did we learn anything about the prospects of team JackArce? If that combo allows that type of performance from Jackson, then it works and it’ll only improve. Darcy spent just 50% time on ground but got to 57 ruck contests and won over half of them. Let’s not forget he’s far from full match fitness. Jackson was mental… 27 influential possessions… 19 ground ball gets… for god’s sake… he’s 2 metres tall. What world is he from!

Can we give some love to Corey Wagner? What a wonderful pick up he has been. His tweaked role has unleashed his inner midfielder. He was superb on Saturday with his versatility, hitting the scoreboard, taking territory and defending.

But as much love as we’re throwing Wagner’s way, we’ve got a little bit more than that for Shai. Were we sure we’d get such effort-based leadership from him? I’ll admit I thought he’d be the cream on the top and would cap things off when we were going well. I didn’t expect him to be the buy in guy and lead with such attitude. And I’m not sure I ever contemplated he’d win a game for us with a fatigued, last gasp tackle in the wet. Its like we donned the balaclava and shotgun on Richmond!

But let’s pull up a bit, the big love-in is getting a bit much.

So, for some balance and to keep us grounded, is it too far to tongue in cheek suggest Caleb might not hit water if he fell out of a boat? You know your foot skills need sharpening when you’d contemplate backing Fyfey in a one-on-one goal kicking contest! We still love you, Caleb!

Speaking of the great man, how good was it to see Nat Fyfe run out there at ¾ time and a have a meaningful impact on the game. Shut up… I wasn’t crying… it was a Gold Coast rain drop in my eye….

To hell with the lid, let’s start some safe, non-Voss style high fiving and yahooing about that season setting up win on the pod. Feel free to join us but if you’re going to come in hot with your ‘one week at a time’ stick in the mud pessimistic nonsense, you’ll be shown the door!

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Talk about going from chocolates to boiled lollies back to chocolates and then boiled lollies again! The loss of Captain Pearce is far from ideal and we literally did the hokey pokey with him all week. Time to Restump Podcast the stoush against the Suns.

This is almost as tough an assignment as there is in AFL at the moment. Playing the Gold Coast Suns on their home deck usually doesn't end well for the touring teams in recent times. They've won 9 of their last 11 games at home, they're sitting pretty in 3rd on the ladder and they still have a game in hand.

Considering they've only had 2 games at home so far this year, it means they've won 6 games away from People's First Stadium, something they've struggled to do up until this season. So, it is it pretty safe to say the Gold Coast Suns have now finally arrived?

Making our tough task more difficult, we've lost Captain Pearce, to the absolute delight for Ben King. We've also lost livewire forward Izzy Dudley and obviously Cooper Simpson. However, Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy and Josh Draper return fill the void and they're 3 handy ones to pick up the slack.

It’s an interesting decision to bring both Darcy and Fyfe back in when the forecast is for big bloody buckets of rain. Not that you can't get injured in the WAFL, but it's a little surprising they didn't go around in the twos. However, you'd imagine both will somehow be on managed minutes.

Is it the ideal time to restart the validation trial of project JackArce? Up against Jarrod Witts and Ned Moyle in the expected torrential conditions, it just feels that maybe we haven’t set Sean Darcy up for success. But we’re not conditioning coaches or sport scientists so, who knows.

Beyond the project are we making an error going in extremely tall? It failed a couple of weeks back and those conditions were pristine. Maybe the selection committee are backing the courage of their conviction.

Not going to lie, as much as we tried to stave it off, the cautious optimism crept up and infected us again over the last couple of weeks. But Saturday is a different kettle of fish.... and given how much rain is forecast, that might be from a literal sense!

Matty Rowell, Noah Anderson and Bailey Humphrey give you the impression they'll drink up the wet conditions. We did play well in dampness last week but we may need to swim a few extra training laps before Saturday.

But, we're Dockers, we're waterside workers! Aren't storms and overcast conditions the natural enemies of the sun? What are we talking about here... we have the traditional conditional upper hand! And what do we always say at the Restump? If the world floods, it matters not to the duck!

Time to wander into the upcoming watery wrestle in greater in depth. So, join us as we take a quick preview dip and a cold plunge in the purple pod pool.

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He looks like he’d use a ladder to pick strawberries! Yet this Murphy Reid character continues to show us all he’s never out of his depth. Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s paddling of Port.

We don’t want to jump to early conclusions... God knows we’re not doing that injury again. However, a question need asking. Have we ironed out the kinks, rectified the glitches and exorcised the psychological demons?

Admittedly there'd be some concerns in the Port Adelaide camp but regardless of their issues, Saturday night Freo was impressive. We weathered the storm on multiple fronts, took all Port Adelaide could muster, before upping our game and returning serve.

The numbers escape me, but if memory serves me correctly, and it usually doesn’t, we’ve rarely been good wet trackers. Aren't we often the side throwing everything at an opponent, not getting scoreboard reward and leaving the door open? We reversed those roles on Saturday and it felt a little mature. Our efficiency and skills in the wet were something to behold.

And speaking of maturing, while they definitely lifted in the 2nd half, holding our own and not having to rely on Andy Brayshaw and Caleb Serong early, was an important growth.

If Murphy Reid isn’t leading the Rising Star award... open an investigation! His body of work, his nomination and now absurd 4-goal feat in what were often torrential conditions, should have him at unbackable odds. How can an 18 year old possess such composure and creativity! I’m starting to get nervous about his future and he’s here til the end of 2027!

Give whoever it was at the club that found Izzy Dudley, a pay rise. He’s been in the system 5 minutes and he’s doing ludicrous things. Imagine lining up on him… you’d be whispering to yourself, “I’m sorry what you’re about to be put through, ankles, but hang in there.” What is he going to produce when he gets a couple more preseasons under his belt?

What a tribunal result for the Captain. Our first win ever there? Maybe the AFL saying, ‘we want you to play this fast, brutal, full contact game but make instant decisions, at times while airborne, to protect someone who has no duty of care for themselves. And if you don’t defy the laws of physics and gravity and work intellectually at AI speed, you’re not playing within the spirit of the game, so we’ll penalise you 3 weeks’ has realised its own nonsense!

Charges aside, Alex Pearce is flying. Who would've thought we’d ever refer to him as a “good for a goal a game player?” He's been in super form and Saturday night was no different. He looks more fluent, comfortable and even nimble. Physically and mentally he must be tip top.

The off-field lead ruck battle isn’t behind closed doors any more. The 'sharing is caring' arrangement is gone as Luke Jackson is making his intentions clear. And in his current form, it’s hard to argue. Isn’t possession 9/10ths of the law? However, as good as Jackson is going, he's had a couple of favourable opponents of late. Sean Darcy has to first find some resilience, but there's still a bit to play out.

Dare we say it? Have we turned the corner? We still haven’t really beaten genuine top 8 sides, but our form feels different, like something has clicked. There’s a freer flowing footy style with greater balance and it seems players are more assured of their role. That said, Gold Coast on their home deck where they’re virtually unbeatable, will tell us where we’re at.

We’re 6 and 5 and just % out of 7th. Our season somehow feels very much alive and, damn it, if there isn’t cautious optimism growing.

So, you know the drill. If this written nonsense doesn’t fill your quota, then, providing you've no respect for your ears, tune into the pod and supplemen

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How’s that saying go? It’s better to have and not need, than need and not have? We should be ok; they’re not all staying in a hotel together. He can’t know all their individual addresses, can he? Time to Restump Podcast the Power threat level!

For the first time this year we’re going in with an unchanged line up. Is this the consistency and stability we’ve all been desiring? It does feel a little like foreign territory though because so far this year, we’ve consistently changed our minds, our players, our effort and intent, our game plan, our ball movement and our form. Maybe the only change we have to deal with this week is the weather.

With four wins and six losses and sitting in 15th on the ladder, it’s fair to say Port Adelaide aren’t travelling too flash. And to add insult to injury, they’ve now lost the vital Jason Horne-Francis. So, why does this feel like such a danger game? On the back of Port’s season and our performance last week, we should be going in quietly confident. Yet, I can’t shake this nervous feeling.

Do we go at Willie Rioli? He has shown that he’s easily rattled. The mental game is as important as the physical game, so why would we not use it to our advantage? He kicked three goals against us in our last encounter but, to be fair, he hasn’t been a big historical threat against us…. well at least on the field anyway. Of the six games he has played against Fremantle, he has gone goalless just once. However, he’s kicked 3 goals on 3 occasions this year from just 9 games, so he is in pretty good nick.

While I’m not sure if we’re that sort of team and I really don’t know if we have the individuals willing to do so, for the record, I vote we rattle the cattle-truck out of his cage. Get Willie thinking about other things and give his teammates an extra protection task. But does it really serve our purpose? I admit I am a bit of a fan of the theatre of footy.

While their form isn’t great, Port has beaten Hawthorn and Sydney, so they are capable. And with Zak Butters and Ollie Wines in the middle, Connor Rozee distributing and setting up play make off half back and Mitch Georgiades up forward with Willie Rioli at his feet, you can see how they cause some feeling of trepidation.

While we might have a bit more talent across the board, do we have the capability to slug it out in a potentially bruising encounter in the wet? It’s difficult to forget we didn’t handle the treatment in the pristine dry conditions under the roof at Marvel against the Saints. The rain, should it impact the game, could be the great leveler on Saturday night.

The Restump investment club has gone sideways and is in need of a bail out. Can we blame the Trump tariffs? They’re being blamed for everything else! But quitting is for cowards and as we always say at the Restump, you’re only ever one hot streak away from a full recovery. May the Gods be in our odds.

Anyway, it’s all about the maritime melee this Saturday night. So, pull on the trackie, bang on a beanie, rug up, grab a cup of coffee and let’s have a chat about it further on the pod.

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Given the meaning of Jackson is son of Jack, is it really surprising Luke cuts down beanstalks and takes out Giants for fun? Time to Restump Podcast the magnificent win over the Giants none of us saw coming.

I'm not ruling out the possibility our club suffers schizophrenia or has some sort of personality disorder. We never know which version of us is going to appear. In fact, fans should start sending RSVP requests so we get an idea pre-game who is going to show up.

Have we seen a better version this year of what we're capable of? We've seen passages, periods and even quarters of that ball movement and connectivity, but not for 4 full quarters and not against that level of formidable opponent. Yeah Ok, we’ll take out the first 5 minutes.

It felt like all the elements of our game we've been performing individually and sporadically, finally came together as one and predominantly for the duration. Was it flawless? Absolutely not and it probably never will be as perfection is an unrealistic expectation and an all but unobtainable dream. But roll that out week in week out and… hello September!

To be fair and for balance though, and in accordance with our former coach's never as good or as bad as it seems policy, the Giants didn't seem at their spectacular best. They were without Josh Kelly, Brent Daniels and Stephen Coniglio, arguably their three best prime movers. However, that is where the balance ends.

Whichever way you look at the game, it's all about us. Luke Jackson could have been forgiven for having an off day but he did the absolute opposite. He’s been railroaded all week by media and opposing coaches and players and he answered it all by sending an emphatic message about where he wants to be.

With the acknowledgement that the ruck is Jackson's best position, where does it leave team JackArce? Did Sean Darcy’s problems just get added to?

And can we talk about Shai? Or as opponents refer to him as thunder Boltons and lightning. very very frightening! 24 disposals, 12 contested, 8 marks, 417 metres gained and 3 goals 3 from 86% time on ground. Did we contemplate the enormity of what he would deliver in the midfield? We paid unders for him!

Elsewhere it was both exciting and encouraging to see Neil Erasmus making some highly positive steps in the right direction, often at times looking like he belonged. And while the sample size is small and we might be going the early call, Cooper Simpson is now best 22. His ball use is heavenly! We’ll cross the Brandon Walker bridge when we get to it.

We'd be lying to ourselves if we thought we’d put in that level of performance, save our season and give the coach some deserved breathing space in that game against the Giants on their home deck. In fact, we were getting to the point of disbelief that we had such a display in us.

However, as joyous and as fulfilling as that whole performance was, this isn't out first rodeo. It feels like we've seen this movie more often than we care to acknowledge and as recent as a couple of weeks ago. So, once again we temper our celebrations and tread with caution because, regardless of results, if we don't regularly deliver that same effort, intensity, ball movement and cohesion going forward, then Saturday counts for very little.

However, the path to power isn’t a journey of straight forward steps. As long as the trajectory is on positive trend, we can wear the acceptable range of effort backed volatility.

Enough of the philosophising and hypothesising! We'll bring the grounding and the balance on the pod but, for just a few moments, let's get the watermelons under the arms, walk up a strut, chests out, breasts out and say how good are we going!

We don't win in that

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Any chance a few of the forwards might get on board the Moose caboose? Time to Restump Podcast the emotional roller-coaster Friday night ride, resulting in a loss to the powerful premiership favourite Pies.

Collingwood are deservedly premiership favourites so there is some level of merit in Freo’s Friday night performance. However, we just can’t do honourable losses any more. While the 14-point margin suggests a closely fought contest, the reality is Freo should have handed out a six-goal belting.

How are we so talented in finding unique ways of avoiding victory! What are we playing dodgeball with winning? I mean it is almost impossible to lose a game of football when you clock up near on 30 more inside 50s than your opponents. You hate to think it but… only our beloved Dockers could manage that.

The issues aren’t exclusive to one area or positional group pf players but, while the forwards didn’t exactly help themselves, the delivery to them was atrocious.

We strangely went in with a host of talls and it seemingly inspired the mids to sit the ball on their heads! If I didn’t know any better, I’d have thought we subbed Blake Acres back in for a game. It literally got to a point where you thought Uber could have delivered the ball more efficiently!

I mean we won the centre clearances 21 to 7 which is an absolute smashing! We tripled their centre clearances; we doubled their inside 50s and we yet somehow find just one more scoring shot and lose by a couple of goals. Don’t tell me that wouldn’t stump the Myth Busters crew!

Unable to get the balance right between fast and painfully frustratingly slow play was never going to end well and, again, while the forwards did little to help themselves out, often all going up for the same ball, imagine trying to lead when you don’t know what the mids and ball carriers are going to do. In fact, I don’t even know if the mids and ball carriers new what they were going to do.

It shouldn’t have to be applauded but it was comforting to see that, while not at levels we saw against the Crows, the energy and intent was there. However, the turnovers wiped us out and the inability at times to hit simple kicks and handballs when under little to no pressure, continued to destroy us.

Some have suggested the performance was subpar given the Pies rested Pendlebury, De‘Goey, Maynard and Mihocek. But let’s not forget Jamie Elliot, Steele Sidebottom, Jack Crisp, Will Hoskin-Elliot and Jeremy Howe were all there. Add Dan Houston, Tim Membrey and Darcy Moore and they pretty much had eight 200 gamers.

We’re not throwing the towel in because we’re only a game and % off the final eight pace. But at the moment, in our current form or lack thereof, a game and % feels like we’re a fair way back.

AFL logic suggests JL needs a miracle from here to keep his gig going into 2026, but does laying the entirety of the blame on him give the players a free pass? Could a few do with an incentivizing stint back at Peel? Couldn’t hurt to send an actual message.

We’ve prattled on here long enough and we’re getting nowhere! If you’re still a little baffled about Friday night’s performance, you’re not on your Pat Malone. So, in your Freo fog and your cloud of confusion, bang on your tumultuous togs and join us in the purple pod pool of perplexity. Together we’ll all battle through the bewilderment in search of some balance.

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We may be in transplant territory because there are too many pieces of our shattered purple hearts for another band-aid to hold it all together. Time to somehow Restump Podcast that depressing and demoralising Docker performance.

In the context of when being in possession of supposed competent and talented lists, it was as incomprehensible a performance as we have ever delivered in our 30+ year history.

There is no sugar coating it, spinning it or dismissing it, you simply can’t imagine how it could get worse. In fact, you can’t even take that ironic positive because, in the most unfathomable manner, we continue to find ways of lowering the bar.

We take two steps forward; we take two steps back! What are we a team of Paula Abduls? Framing every second week as redemption round isn’t sustainable or conducive to progress.

There is something fundamentally wrong at the club that no one seems to be able to definitively put their finger on. But on the back of expectation and a specific strategic plan conveyed by the club, fans and members understandably are outraged and, reactionary or otherwise, have coach Justin Longmuir in the gun.

Neesham, Drum, Connolly, Harvey and now Longmuir. We’ve been in the competition for 30 years and the cause of every crisis has apparently been the coach. How’s that worked out for us?

There is no doubt Justin Longmuir now finds himself under a level of pressure few could ever conceive but, after such a performance there shouldn’t be anyone at the club not looking inward.

However, while emotions run high, it would be remiss of everyone to not remember Damian Hardwick being under comparable pressure in 2016. After being in the top job at Tigerland for 7 years, the Tiges finished 13th with 8 wins and that came off the back of an elimination final loss the previous year. It had Richmond fans, members and the media calling for his head. The board responded by backing in their process and they double downed on Hardwick. We all know what happened over the next 4 years.

Are the two situations comparable? Those who have made up their mind on JL will say no, and that is their prerogative.

Whether we like to acknowledge it or not, us fans are victims of the overrating of our list at the time by the Fremantle administration. They were far too optimistic with their projections with such a young side, which remains the case. In 2022 we had an average age list of 24.1 years. Four years later we have an average age list of 24.5 years.

However, despite the reality, it’s an emotional game and many fans, irrational or otherwise, now don’t contemplate reasoning other than the coach is entirely to blame. And that is understandable given the Fremantle football club put it all out there in 2022. We preach accountability, don’t we?

It will be interesting and very telling, how Simon Garlic handles this situation.

Everything about footy is subjective. The validity of our opinions today is determined only by time.

Does any of this ease the onset depression we’re all suffering from Friday night? Probably not. No stranger to adversary, but the club is in a deeper hole than it usually finds itself in. The problem is the only way out is to climb a ladder!

We don’t know where we go from here, but if our venting and ranting provides some type of vicarious frustration outlet on the pod… you’re welcome.

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Rock paper scissors, the universally utilized tool that has decided the course of action for the world's most complex problems for generations. Time to Restump Podcast the meeting of old friends, now Saintly foes at Marvel.

We’ll get to the changes this week but, first and foremost, they are absolutely irrelevant. All we need to concentrate on is that we pick up this Friday night from where we left off last Friday night. If we bring that same level of effort, that desire and intensity, the Saints will need a prayer.

However, while that may be the case, we’re still thrilled to get Luke Jackson back in the team, lining up alongside and synchronizing with Sean Darcy, to once again relaunch team “JackArce.” Should we spare a thought for poor Rowan Marshall? He could be in for one hell of a day.

Unfortunately, we can’t fit 24 players into 23 positions, so the very unlucky Oscar McDonald has had to make way.

On the Saints side of the ledger, we see young West Aussie and Claremont kid Hugh Boxshall, getting the call up to make his debut. We wish him well, but not too well.

We lock horns with our beloved former coach Rosco Lyon once again, but there is no time for emotional sentiment or pleasantries! We simply need to focus, put on our game faces and, if we’re running past the Saints dugout, probably our ear muffs after the hearing impairment suffered by poor Hugo Garcia last week!

There are no crisis meetings, robust conversations and interventions required at Cockburn! The poor downtrodden West Coast chaps have fallen off the cliff and into the abyss. Does that mean it’s time for the Chief to churn out another supportive Neighbourhood Watch chapter? Let’s hope not!

And speaking of things we hope aren’t there, but are, the Restump Investment Club is gathering steam. The weekly multis and term deposit bets are in once more.

Two Friday night big stages in a row! It must be some sort of record for us? We made the most of last week but it'll count for absolutely Bo Didley if we revisit old but recent habits, tomorrow night.

Not exactly long until bouncedown but if you haven’t got paint to watch dry, grass to watch grow or a messy sock drawer to tidy, feel free to waste 30 plus minutes with us on the pod.

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Was it the ANZAC spirit? Was it JL’s expletive ladened spray or did the penny finally drop? Whatever the case, we need to back Friday’s superb win up with more of the same. Time to Restump Podcast the season turning stoning of the Crows.

It was a magnificent ANZAC Day, a victory you had to be thrilled by. However, mixed emotions are understandable. Where has that effort and intensity been? What we delivered on Friday night against a talented Crow’s outfit would have beaten Sydney and Melbourne and made a game of it against Geelong. We should be at a minimum 6 wins and 1 loss and sitting equal top on points.

However, let’s ease up on the negative. We’re not West Coast Eagle supporters, so we don’t live in the past. We enjoy the now and hope Friday was the beginning of fulfilling our season’s hopes.

From the first bounce we were well and truly on! We made the Crow’s life extremely difficult being very stingy with any space, rarely allowing them a possession without pressure. It was a sight for sore purple eyes!

It felt a well-oiled Freo machine had turned up and clicked into gear and when Josh Treacy got on the end of that one step, upright splitting, 55 metre bomb early on, you nodded in acknowledgement and thought this might be our night.

Shai Bolton tore them to bits; Freddy found his mojo and even former defender turned part time ruck and forward, Oscar, got in the party. Switta’s numbers were not huge unless you look at the pressure acts column where there was a big fat game high 24.

The mids were as good as we all know they can be. Andy Brayshaw isn’t human. 86% game time as a mid… and he has ten touches in the final quarter! Caleb with his 10 clearances and ridiculously hardworking 15 ground ball gets and then Youngy glides around delivering his silver service. The criticisms of Matty Johnson were overdone. Sure, he made a few errors but he’s obviously been instructed to back himself in and go and his positives substantially outweighed his negatives.

But down back was where it was at. Tex Walker and Riley Tilthorpe are vital cogs in the high scoring Crow’s wheel and keeping them under control was going to be the difference. Hats off to the defensive collective but particular Brennan Cox for his work on Tilthorpe and Captain Pearce for Walker.

The last quarter could have gotten a bit shaky but it wasn’t through a lack of effort and a dropping of intensity on our part. We simply didn’t take our chances as we kicked 5 points. Having run out comfortable winners, we can live with that.

But it all means nothing if we don’t bring that same bag now on a weekly basis. We’ve been in this exact position previously; we’ve seen this movie before! So, we’re not out of the woods just yet, but if was a pretty good place to start the exit.

Enough of the appetizing written stuff, lets go for the verbal main course and continue the Crow banquet. If you haven’t had a full celebratory feed and you’ve got room for some more, by all means put on your elastic waist purple pants and join the Freo feast on the pod.

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Sometimes you have to abandon decorum and just let go with a frenzy of f-bombs! Did the message get through? Time to Restump Podcast the cancelling of the Crow show.

Is JL fed up? Has he snapped or has the gravity of the situation and the panic set in? While we all don’t know what happens behind closed doors, a public expletive riddled outburst seems uncharacteristic, albeit justified. Will it shock the players into gear? Time will tell.

So, once again we find ourselves in the familiar position of atonement. But this Crows outfit isn’t exactly an opponent easy to make amends on. And what if we do right last week’s wrongs? We’ve seen this movie many times before, so it becomes as much about subsequent weeks as it does Friday night. However, let’s concentrate on the now.

With Darcy Fogarty out of the Crow’s line up it makes it a more appealing contest for us but they have plenty of scoring power to cover for him.

While we’ve indicated we’ll be more focused on tightening up on our defence, we’re going to need to make good on that. The Crows are averaging 108 points a game with Walker, Tilthorpe, Rankine, Rachele and Keys all regularly hitting the scoreboard.

There is an anomaly in there though, the 161 points against Essendon skews the average a touch and they have softened the last 3 weeks kicking down to 80 points a game. But you just can’t overlook their firepower, knowing how poor defensively we have been. At the same time, however, they’re letting in 82 points a game so you can score against them.

So, our defensive focus aside, this is effectively two handy scoring teams but with defensive deficiencies. Adelaide are 1st in offence and we’re 5th although that may have something to do with us playing West Coast, Richmond and Melbourne so far. Adelaide are 9th in defence, we’re 11th.

James Aish, Jaegar O’Meara and Bailey Banfield have felt the axe while Chappy returns who we drastically missed last week. Corey Wagner rightfully gets a recall and after getting a ton of it in the WAFL, Quinton Narkle finally gets to make his debut.

The Chief isn’t copping the accusations we upset the Footy Gods last week and Jojo is hiding out at Rottnest! The Restump Financial Hole Digging is getting bigger but that isn’t a reason to stop throwing good money after bad!

It kind of feels like we have arrived at a line in the sand occasion with this game. And there’s no better time to meet such a challenge than on Anzac Day.

We’ve got a very tough, what you imagine will not only be season defining but coach deciding 6 weeks ahead. For so many reasons we simply cannot deliver another less than acceptable performance.

About 24 hours until bouncedown… do you really want to waste one of them listening to our noise?

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It really hurts us to say it, but they have broken our trust. What’s that line about being able to place more trust in curried egg sandwiches from the petrol station? Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s purple heart break.

A vital component in the building of trust is consistency. Without it, by its very nature, trust cannot exist. Yet, ironically the only area of consistency we can trust the Freo Dockers in, is inconsistency.

Once again, Freo has fooled many of us on the back of what we knew and acknowledged were soft victories. How did we think the consistent, less than substandard performances were behind us? Prior to Saturday we stated how poor our defensive efforts have been, and have been against the least offensive teams! Yet even so we could not fathom being unable to convincingly beat the Dees.

Are we overrating the list? Do we have a team of talented players that do not comprise a genuinely talented team? Or is the list still not ready or equipped to handle the relentless rigors of AFL football? Yes, Sean Darcy is severely underdone and Heath Chapman’s absence hurt us. But they weren’t reasons for getting rolled by a zero and five team.

Whatever the case we had 15 players with 80 or more games of experience, 11 of them with beyond 100 games under their belts out there on Saturday. So, there is no excuse for that lack of intent, the unwillingness to compete at the contest or the failure to chase and tackle. They’re called non-negotiables for a reason! They’re all prerequisites for being on an AFL list.

Fresh off signing a long-term deal, you wonder what is going through Andy Brayshaw’s head? Next to no one went with him in that final quarter when the game was there to be taken. Caleb Serong was monstered by Jack Viney who was magnificent in his role. Where was the help for him? Did anyone cause Viney any discomfort? Did anyone attempt to block Viney for Serong?

The “Sack the Coach” crew have predictably come out of hibernation as its their easy go to answer for everything. But if you think 80+ gamers aren’t bringing the basics unless the coach drills it into them, then the problem probably isn’t entirely with the coach. And four quarters of the basics wins that game!

That been said and to be fair to the coach doubters, Justin Longmuir now inevitably finds himself under immense pressure as another of this type of performance warrants putting everything on the table for questioning. With the ominous fixture ahead, things need to change overnight and for more than a week or two for JL not to be in a more precarious position than he unfortunately is right now.

Is it overdue for an actual example to made at the selection table? More often than not, players have seemingly been given the opportunity to respond and rectify a poor performance the following week, and have usually done so. But given the continual sporadic nature of the same poor performances occurring, maybe they’ve used up all their redemption chances? There has seemingly been a reluctance to cut other than the usual suspects. What did our former coach Rosco say? “Execute one to educate a thousand.”

Yes, we will regroup as we always do and we will go again. It is emotionally taxing and it is frustrating, at times excruciating and demoralising. But while we’re in for a long and often painful season if Saturday is indicative of what is to sporadically turn up, this is football and Fremantle is our team.

This isn’t everyone’s first grief counselling rodeo. We’ve all been here more times than we care to recall. So, you know the drill. Join us as we search for answers, for reasoning and for purpose. Let’s work through the pain on the pod once more.

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It's JT's constitutional right to bare arms! Time to Restump Podcast the exorcising of the Demons.

The Dees are zero and four so, in theory, this shouldn't be a danger game for us. And to be honest, when you look at how mentally and physically depleted they are, even from a superstitiously purple perspective, it kind of isn't.

They're horribly out of form, there seems plenty not right internally and they're seemingly dropping players to make confusing statements. They’ve pretty much just dropped their recognised forward line what appears to be predominantly based on panic.

Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Jack Jack Viney in the middle being fed by Max Gawn made you feel a little uneasy yesteryear. But, while they’re still highly productive in their own right, they're far from their premiership year selves and they don’t seem to have the same on field support network around them. It's leaving the task up to too few.

While they have 2026 Fremantle forward Kozzi Pickett out there, they look a touch fragile in the scoring department and with him and defender Steven May under injury clouds all week, their defence might be a tad shaky as well.

Is this the dreaded research based arrogant confidence rearing its ugly and unwanted head again? We all know hubris is the downfall of man, but it really is difficult to feel unassured again this week. That all probably says more about where Melbourne is at, rather than it does about our ability to put them away with ease.

On the flip side of Melbourne’s woes, we're in pretty decent shape and maybe, to further rub salt into the Dee's wounds, we've brought in Oscar McDonald to face his former Demons.

While we’re on an upwards trend, we’re probably not playing as well as we appear. We’re 10th in the league for defence and other than Geelong in round one, we haven’t as yet played any team that is top eight for offence. So, while banking the four points is the primary concern, this is an opportunistic game to tune up our system, put some much needed emphasis on tightening up our defence and stack on a few percentage points.

The Restump Investment turned Salvage Operation Club is back again. We’ve unsurprisingly struggled but Jojo has built his term deposit bank to $400. The inevitable fall is getting bigger!

If you’re looking for a good listen this good Friday, what can we tell you, your GPS coordinates are way off. However, if its 30 life wasting minutes of purple prattle you are after, we’ve got you covered! So, come right in, bring your ears and make yourselves at home.

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Never reel in or repress the passion, Paddy. We‘ll take measures to mitigate your celebratory risks! Time to Restump Podcast the victory in the Valley.

It was a wonderfully picturesque setting, a great festival atmosphere and more importantly an enjoyable victory. It is amazing the difference a win makes and what it adds to a weekend such as Gather Round. Sadly it has been soured by an absurd and selective penalty to Paddy.

We’d be lying to ourselves if we thought pre-game the win wasn’t essentially a formality. As dangerous as that thinking is, quite simply the Tigers, understandably, just aren’t anywhere near it at the moment, but give them a few years and we wont be so dismissive of them.

From that perspective it really was a case of us, beyond the 4 points, having little to win and much to lose and maybe that philosophy played its part at times. Our skills early weren’t at a level we’d expect or hope, we weren’t active enough to compete and win the ground ball and we probably gave the Tigers too much space.

Did we make some errors at the selection table? We went in quite tall in deference against a Richmond forward line consisting of many step ladder enthusiasts. The Maurice Rioli’s and Steely Greens were too quick and nimble for us early. Did we, knowingly or unknowingly, get away with it because of our opponent and the inevitable result?

Seeing Hayden Young wander across the 50 and sink goals was a sight for saw eyes. While we stepped it up last year, goals from midfielders hasn’t been something we’ve excelled at so far this season. Having a beyond fifty metre goal kicking weapon is a vital piece of the puzzle. Welcome back Hayden and please don’t get injured ever again!

By all reports, thankfully Sean Darcy got through unscathed but he was blowing up a long way from home. Again, was it a mistake not playing Reidy? But then we don’t get Vossy’s team and fan lifting enthusiasm as he would have probably made way for Reidy.

Karl Worner deserves a bit of a mention for what was his career best game. He’d been a bit shaky with possession in recent weeks a but made every post a winner on Sunday going at about 90% efficiency. Good to see rookie listed players scrap and fight for their position and succeed.

Is there a competition developing between Murphy Reid and Josh Draper for who has the cleanest ground ball hands at Freo? For his size, Draper is doing remarkable things.

It’s pretty exciting seeing what Shai Bolton is and going to bring us. It isn’t surprising but it is nice to see him deliver it. His midfield minutes are as valuable as what he’s doing up forward.

Josh Treacy is going from strength to strength, Vossy is creating all sorts of mostly valuable chaos for those near him and Freddy is having a ripper season to date. Sammy Switkowski eased back in with little impact and while things aren’t working for Jye Amiss at the minute, it’ll come. But he is dragging a good opponent and contributing to the collective.

All in all, it was a win to celebrate but not get carried away with. It was a win that just needed to be obtained, banked and moved on from. You get the feeling that was how it was treated and next week against the Dees, while a little different in nature, we should roll out a replica of yesterday.

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Are we getting too far ahead of ourselves to think the only danger may be resisting the infectious party atmosphere of the Barossa Valley for two days? Time to Restump Podcast the Tigger tussle!

Arrogant confidence doesn’t sit well with us so, considering we’re playing in the Barossa Valley, let’s call it Dutch courage. Whatever you want to call it, the reality is whichever way you look at, dissect and simply think about Sunday’s clash, its difficult to find a way we get beaten.

I know, I know, I’ll jinx us and tempt fate, but to be honest even with all those factors thrown in, if we can’t beat a side consisting of Tiger cubs, what are we even doing?

We’ve recorded the pod prior to final teams being released but as far as squads go, Richmond has 17 players listed that have played under 50 games. We have 7. Right there that pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Even if complacency somehow crept in, we’d right it before it was too late, wouldn’t we? And that’s not being deliberately disrespectful to the Tiges, its just that that is where the two teams are at.

Welcoming back Sean Darcy and Hayden Young just makes you take a comforting sigh. They, along with Sammy Switkowski, have been gigantic outs and their absence has had substantial negative ramifications on how we’ve played as a team. Dear God, Universe, Source… whatever…. please allow them to remain injury free.

In other news, with Geelong’s Bailey Smith flipping a fan the double birds, the question needs to be asked. Should Harley Reid be fined for incitement and the normalising of poor behavior?

As predicted, the Restump Investment Club has rapidly transitioned into a savage operation. However, lack of ability has never proven a hurdle to continue trying so the weekly muti and term deposit bets are back.

Sunday morning, we eat Tiger meat on toast for brunch at 10.35am. But before then, if you’re looking to waste 40 minutes of your life then feel free to throw it away with us guessing, investigating, estimating, hypothesizing about our rumble against Richmond.

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Not sure how he causes opponents nightmares. You wouldn’t be able to sleep once you find out you’re playing on Freddy! Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s kenneling of the Dogs.

It has come at a cost but it was the test we needed and one we passed. Sure, we’ve got plenty of work to do because we can’t rely on scoreboard efficiency and Alex Pearce final quarter heroics every week, but line up our first four matches and you can see the improving trendline.

The defensive unit returned to that cohesive, well-oiled and supportive collective. Yes, Sam Darcy was almost unstoppable, but it was simply his ridiculous ability and sometimes you just have to tip your hat and acknowledge a performance.

Luke Ryan was back to his much-needed best, Heath Chapman went up a gear or two, we saw continual growth in Josh Draper and some Brennan Cox form that had been absent so far this year. Alex Pearce was absurdly good especially in that final quarter, Clarky continues doing Clarky things and both Worner and Wagner complimented the group seamlessly. They were all under extreme pressure in that final term and obviously held firm.

Its probably safe to say if there were any Caleb Serong and or Andy Brayshaw cobwebs or rust, it has well and truly been removed. Oxymoronic it may sound, but they were typically phenomenal. It is going to be difficult to not entertain the co-captains arrangement when the time comes.

Is there anyone still in the ‘critical of Luke Jackson’s recruitment’ camp? If so, what are you doing with your life? His influence and importance is undeniable and the last thing we needed was a pinging of his hamstring.

On the wings, albeit a tad wayward at times, O’Driscoll was impactful and Jeremy Sharp’s rejuvenation was welcomed. We only hope Disco’s ankle isn’t a long termer.

Up forward we’re seeing a dominant Josh Treacy, a building Bolton, a devastatingly exciting Dudley and a Freddy that is making opponent’s heads spin. Jye is getting there but doing some hard Yaka, Paddy Voss has a physical presence with room for improvement and workhorse Bailey Banfield is meaningfully contributing. But beyond all that we’re getting better synergy and connection. They’re working as a unit much more efficiently than they have previously this year, and without that, the dogs beat us.

If there is one overriding strategy that coach Justin Longmuir should have in big black bold letters on the whiteboard each week, it would read – ‘Get the ball in Murphy’s hands.’ It is absurd to think that isn’t an exaggeration especially when you know he’s 18 years of age and played 4 games. His final involvement yesterday defeating two opponents to get the ball out of bounds and then kick the sealer… call the cops, he’s under age and can’t be doing those type of things already!

We’ve got the season back on track at 2 and 2. We’re off to Gather Round to play the Tigers in the Barossa Valley and then the Dees at the MCG. They’re both more than winnable matches that we just simply have to get done.

But before then, enough of the purple-tinged rose-coloured celebratory musings here! There’s too much more to discuss so pour yourself a pint, pull up a pew, put up your pegs, press play and partake in the pleasing four-point party on the pod.

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Andy Brayshaw to notch up 150 games in almost even time. He’s more resilient than Rory Lobb’s hair dresser. Time to Restump Podcast the Dockers and the Dogs.

The magnificent Andrew Brayshaw brings up game number 150 on Sunday and he’s done in ridiculously quick time. He’s played 149 of a possible 156 since his debut, which is remarkable considering thee combative role he plays and how hard at it he is. And had Andrew Gaff decided to be a good citizen and not a thug, Andy would have played 152 of 156 games.

His durability, resilience, his ability to play at a high-level carrying injury and his consistent form are rare traits. Add those to his leadership qualities, and you couldn’t think he won’t and shouldn’t be Freo’s next captain.

But individual accolades and milestones aside, we’ve got a game to win against the Dogs on Sunday and it starts with getting the distraction out of the way. For whatever reason, Rory Lobb has shaved and coloured a lobster into the back of his head. In a round-a-bout way you can’t help but give Lobby a nod of acknowledgment. He’s took all the Lobster stuff last year in good humour, he’s found his feet as a defender, he’s pretty valuable to the dogs in that position and yet he hams it up and doesn’t seem to take life too seriously. That said, hopefully he has a nightmare of a match on Sunday.

This game is a tricky one and its extremely difficult to draw a bankable form line through either team. An injury depleted Dogs beat North Melbourne, lost to Collingwood and beat Carlton by a point. An injury depleted Dockers lost horribly to Geelong, brought intensity and effort but didn’t play that well against Sydney and then probably didn’t play too much better but put away a hapless West Coast.

It’s confusing because we know we’re better than what we’re showing, but even after last week you could suggest we’re playing well below that. Add that to fact we’ve barely beaten a top eight side in our last 26 games and, to be honest, anyone’s guess is as good as anyone’s.

So hey, don’t look at us for guidance!

The second week of the Restump Podcast Investment Club is in and while the multi’s fell a leg short last week, the term deposit bets are off and running. Could these shenanigans last longer than the two weeks we predicted? Probably not but hey… its only money!

Despite winning last week, this is a must win game. If we’re 1 and 3 heading into Gather round, followed by an away game at the MCG, life will get a lot tougher than it is right now. C’mon Freo, the time is now, let’s kennel the dogs, crack the Lobster and pick up the 4 much needed points and get our season back on track.

A quick pod is a good pod apparently so wrap your purple laughing gear around these 30 minutes if you’re looking to chew up some time between now and Sunday.

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Murphy Reid could be the first dual purple role citizenship recipient. We haven’t seen skills and smarts like that since David Mundy got the tap on the shoulder! Time to Restump Podcast the brushing aside of the Eagles.

We celebrate the win and welcome the four points but we left a lot score out there and the questionable skills remained on display. You get the feeling that while it was enjoyable, after the dust settled, it was more of a relief than it was a thumping return to form.

The return to form of Caleb Serong was a sight to behold, but to be honest, there was no reason why he shouldn’t have against such opposition. And right there lies the mixed feelings when reviewing and assessing Sunday.

You want be thrilled and elated by a win, but after the first two weeks Sunday’s performance had to be about method and process rather than score. Had we lost that game, the season was over but despite our form in rounds one and two, what West Coast were able to serve up and where they’re at as a club, the result was pretty much a formality.

But you can only take out of it what was served up. Yes, we saw the Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw we have come to know and love so well. Luke Jackson put in a staggeringly good performance, Jai Amiss found some footy and space between the big sticks, the Captain ensured Oscar remained in his trash can, we got to enjoy Izzy Dudley’s polished debut and, amongst some extremely ordinary ball use, we got to see some super smarts and some silk in the form of Murphy Reid.

So, we take the positives and a measured approach to the value and the meaningfulness of the victory. Maybe not as pronounced and maybe there has been some improvement, but the reality is you couldn’t watch that game and not understand how poor west coast eagles are and you surely can’t think the issues from round one and two have evaporated.

We’ve obviously got plenty of work to do but the four points on Sunday gave a shot of life to our season. The Bulldogs next week will be a formidable opponent and it will tell us where we are and what to make of yesterday.

Jojo took umbrage at the AFL’s pathetic post-game AI generated image so we’ll see what his beef is about. And the Chief is disappointed at the lack of support for Caleb Serong and the lackluster retaliatory effort after Harley’s Reid’s cheap shot.

We love and cherish a derby victory and we hope it has delivered some much-needed confidence for the team. Is it the embryonic stage of trend change? That remains to be seen.

So, grab your microscopes, put on your lab coat, bang on the safety goggles and come with us as we put yesterday under the Bunsen burner. We’ll further dissect our first win of the season to find and celebrate the positives while trying to find the missing ball use formula.

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We don’t advocate for or condone any form of violence. That's why only air rifles should be permitted. Time to Restump Podcast the upcoming bird cull.

Nothing says setting the right example and raising the standards like encouraging your fan base to collectively perform childish gestures. There is support of your player and there is arrogant entitlement.

There is no tomorrow for us if we somehow find a way to lose on Sunday. Six times in our history we have kicked off the season zero and three and the closest we’ve finished in any of those occasions is 11th.

Is the overlooking of Liam Reidy a bit puzzling? It would seem the appropriate occasion to provide him with some more exposure and development, considering he wouldn’t exactly be up against one of the premier ruckman in the competition.

The retention of Neil Erasmus is a positive as it provides him the exposure and opportunity to improve his craft, something Reidy could have benefitted from.

Izzy Dudley makes his debut which is exciting and thankfully he wont be the sub. Jye Amiss notches up 50 games, looking to find some form with the help of his forward colleagues, and the whipping boy Bailey Banfield takes to the field to turn out a well deserved 100 games.

For those who don’t mind a sneaky wager, we’ve started the Restump Investment Club. We’re starting with a bank and seeing what we can turn it into with a mixture of high and not so high risk wagers on the weekend’s footy.

There are many ways to the poor house and the Restump Investment Club may well be the quickest, so it’s definitely not financial advice.

It’s all on the line Sunday. We just have to win and win we will. Positive affirmation and visualization because we can’t contemplate the alternative.

A quick game’s a good game so join us for this short 30 minute Sunday semi-preview. The Restump Pod might disappear off the earth if the unthinkable happens.

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Are we tapped out? Do we have any emotional investment currency left to continue the deposits in the purple bank? Time to try and Restump Podcast the shattered pieces of Sunday’s spectacle against the Swans.

Well, that wasn’t the most pleasant Sunday arvo we’ve ever had! It’s difficult to think we put in that sort of performance, and not only on the back of last week against Geelong, but we had the Cold Play song! Cold Play indeed. Did the wrong people get the wrong messages.

Ugly is in the eyes of the beholder, but winning ugly and losing ugly are poles apart. The ability to win ugly is the sign of a good team, whereas losing ugly, like we did last week against Geelong and for much of Sunday's game, tells a completely different and worrying story.

It’s not the losing that has Freo fans outraged. We can deal with loss standing on our heads. No one can endure the hardships of losing like we can. But there's losing and there’s losing. It is the way we're losing that has gutted us.

Something is missing and it feels psychological, possibly communicative. There is a loss of the connection and cohesion we saw often last year. There is little fluency in our play, there appears a self-preservation aspect at times and, while unintentional, there seems some dismissiveness about our form and results in the pressers and interviews. Maybe repetition breeds unwitting complacency?

Suggesting calm because it's only round two is a little ignorant. For a team who is now at a stage all us fans and the club believe it is, “its only round two” is a damaging excuse of the past. And hanging our hat on the fact that we, unlike last week, brought intensity this week... I’m sorry, but that actually should be a prerequisite for every player, in every single team, in every single game, and not something to be praised for.

To be brutally honest, the scoreboard flattered us at 1/4 time. Will Hayward kicked two behinds and Tom Papley kicked one. We were competitive but by no means did we have a genuine four goal lead. The spectacle was such that had we fallen over the line to win, the same questions and fears would be there, albeit with a sigh of four-point relief.

We don’t have a hard edge, an ability to dig in and wrench back momentum and then we don’t have the capacity to put teams to the sword when we do have the ascendency.

To give us some sort of reasoning for the performance, I’d like to make a point that we were up against last year’s grand finalists. But against us on Sunday there was no Errol Gulden, Callum Mills, Robbie Fox, Luke Parker, Justin McInerny, Harry Cunningham or Logan McDonald. Admittedly we have a few important outs but weight of numbers tells a story.

We’ve obviously got some serious issues that require sorting out and rectifying in rapid time. Last year 13 wins were required to make the finals and 15 wins were needed to finish top four. We’ve now got two less games to get it done, if we’re to play in September.

To try and end on a positive note, Jaegar O’Meara did a pretty handy job on Isaac Heeney and has started the year in very good fashion. Josh Treacy is doing everything he can, even if he ended up in the ruck. And if we want the ball being handled cleanly and efficiently and delivered on a silver platter, get it to Murphy Reid. Lastly, give us a Chad Warner over a Shai Bolton and Kozzy Pickett every day of the week, although we’ll gladly have them all.

Well, we want to put this behind us as soon as we can but we can’t move on until we’ve worked through the grief counselling. Let us once again, start the healing. So, if you haven’t buried Sunday and blocked it from your consciousness, join us on the therapeutic pod as we try to clear out the negative e

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It’s official, Murphy has taken the number one Reid position in WA. Time to somehow Restump Podcast whatever that demoralising display was on Saturday. A tale of two reads… Reids

Has there been a more soul-destroying performance from our Freo boys? Admittedly there are plenty to choose from over our 30+ year history but this one might top the list.

You can scream game plan, structure, process, player talent, coach and yeah they all contributed. But if you turn up to round one mentally absent, nothing of the former will make any difference.

The question is how? How, in one of our most important seasons in some time, did we turn up to round one switched off? Where was the willingness to work, to put in, to apply pressure, lay tackles? Ending the first quarter minus 15 tackles across the board and minus 10 tackles in our forward fifty is all attitude and it set the disappointing tone for the day.

Yes, there was a substantial crew out but we had more than enough talent on the park to even just be more than mildly competitive. Winning the game was a little optimistic but a near on 15 goal belting is and was inconceivable and unacceptable.

If this type of round one performance had of occurred in 2023 or 2024, you’d be shattered, but a little more willing to rule a line through it and move on. And while that is what we’ll all inevitably do, with the position the club is now at, the preseason they had, and the expectations they have conveyed, it’s a little difficult to simply say “it’s just round one” and move on. These types of performances aren’t conducive to a team that believes they’re on the cusp of success.

Given it was blatantly evident the mindset of the collective was distant and not necessarily on the task at hand, it is difficult to comprehend or articulate accurate reasons why. Is it the messaging? A lack of true motivational influence? Are there no consequences for poor performance?

From 16 away round one games in our history, we’ve lost 12 of them. However, Saturday was our second worst defeat in opening round. Is there something in that to shed some fraction of light on the deep reasons for the incomprehensible performance? Probably not.

But for the moment and to give us all a break from the depression, let’s not gloss over the remarkable feat from Murphy Reid. It was a stunning highlight on a dark day but to see a debutant do that… we’ve got an exceptional one there.

For such an unanticipated and inexplicable performance, we don’t have the answers. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t throw around preposterous points of passionate perception for personal placidity.

Anything short of an appropriate response next week is unacceptable. It is after all round one and we will all move on. (See, I told you we’d all inevitably get there)

So, while we offer no enlightenment, feel welcome to therapeutically vent with us as we try to make some semblance of sense about Saturday, to save what little sanity we have left.

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A brown paper bag cannot be passed under to he who has no table. Time to Restump Podcast our round one clash against the hard working, cost-of-living crisis fighting, dually employed Catters.

It’s been a brutal preseason and we're probably not in as good a shape heading into round one as we had all hoped. Have to say it feels we're a little undermanned heading down to the cattery without Sean Darcy, Nat Fyfe, Hayden Young, Michael Walters, Sammy Sturt and Shai Bolton and it's made what was already a difficult task, substantially tougher. But it's time to focus on who is there to get the job done rather than who isn't!

One man who will be looking forward to skinning a cat is debutant Murphy "Bruce" Reid and you get the feeling the smooth moving, good ball using, sharp thinking, smart decision making, Freo loving, Western Australian adopted youngster isn't suiting up because of the above-mentioned outs. Bruce has made every post a winner since arriving at the club and he made it impossible to be left out of round one. Let's hope Mr and Mrs Reid have come around to the purple way of life!

The interesting but also understandable omission is the sporadically played Neil Erasmus.

Admittedly he hasn't set the world alight and he didn't exactly do his selection prospects any favours in the recent scratchy against Melbourne, but with so many mids out maybe he could have benefited from some exposure and opportunity.

Whatever the case when you take a look at the side the cats are putting on the park, it's an ominous assignment. There aren't too many, if any, weaknesses in their line up and year in year out they seem to find a way regardless of their Morris Finance and the like personnel at their disposal.

The drugs policy is once again smack bang in the conversation. Has the AFL become an enabler? Are we now behind the eightball on the issue? We have a chat about it and try to hash out a way forward. Just a thought, but how about we give zero tolerance a go?

The Luke Jackson whispers just won't die. Surely there is zero chance of his departure?

Could Chad Warner be on the verge of delaying his trip home and sign on at the Swannies for a well-paid two years?

Plenty to discuss and preview but a quick game is a good game. We'll attempt to keep it short sharp and to the point but guarantees of no wandering, digressing and rambling just cannot be provided.

So, if you're looking for some nonsensical noise to make up a few moments before we castrate the cats, you couldn't have turned up at a better time. Purple up and get involved.

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Strategically vanilla and ice in the veins… and no, not that type of ice! We’re Fremantle, not a certain other club up the road. Time to Restump Podcast the beginnings of a plentiful and prosperous period.

There’s an uncomfortableness about going in to a new season with serious confidence as a Fremantle supporter. It just doesn’t sit right; it is a difficult feeling to adjust to. Sure, we think we’ve been confident before at this time of year, but it really has been excitement, passion and hopefulness masquerading as confidence.

Yes, famous last words, but this year feels markedly different. There is justifiable genuine confidence. We’re going in with actual achievable expectations rather than nervous aspirations.

We’re in pretty good condition, we’re hitting the historical rule of thumb age and experience conducive to deep September action, there is a definite buy in from the player group and our pre-season has been productive and strategically beneficial.

Can we win the premiership? Possibly. Would that be the goal? Definitely. Should our expectations align with our goal? Absolutely not.

Realistic expectations, from our perspective, should be a minimum of a top six finish, more so a top four and then it is game on from there. Expecting to win the premiership comes with an attached overconfidence and arrogance. They are too ridiculously tough to win and there is too little between the final top four, possible top six teams, whoever they may be, to have such expectations.

So, lets get into it and dive a bit deeper into the purple depths.

•Andy Brayshaw declaring Fremantle is his home.
•JL’s contract, that isn’t a contract.
•Luke Jackson rumours.
•What we learned from the preseason.
•Youngsters on the up.
•Murphy “the more valuable” Reid.
•Disco isn’t dead, it looks back in a big way.
•Darcy and Pearce – is their health a worry?
•The Neighbourhood Watch. Is it dead and buried?

All those talking points to discuss and we’ll find out where Jojo has been and how big is his damaging carbon footprint.

We’re armed with confidence and enthusiasm but we need to remain measured. It’s a fine line between justified anticipation and unhelpful hysteria.

So, for the first time in 2025, unfortunately our nonsense is back. If you’re desperate enough to plug in and partake, by all means you’re most welcome, after you get yourself checked out because you’re obviously not well. Season 2025… here we go.

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Hopefully Jaren was assessed elite in the antagonism and niggle category at the various draft camps! Time to belatedly Restump Podcast the new list additions and catch up on all the latest purple proceedings.

So, with the conclusion of the trade period and drafts and our participation in the preseason supplementary selection period netting Quinton Narkle, the Freo folk list looks all but finalised for 2025.

To be honest, maybe it’s just us, but, with all due respect to what appears a very handy crew of draftees we recruited, the draft wasn’t as interesting or as intriguing this year for us. Don’t get me wrong, we’re very happy to keep adding to the future, but at Fremantle in this precise point in time, its all about the now.

It was always going to be difficult for any draftee to pinch the spotlight after picking up Shai Bolton in the trade period. And even Quinton Narkle coming in to, at the very least, fatten the depth couldn't remove any genuine Bolton focus.

That said, we are a lot more excited about Murphy Reid being here than he and his family appeared to be. I don’t know if the Murphy family had a dog, but there is a fair chance they had just gotten word that it had died moments before Murph had his name read out!

No, of course we’re only being ridiculous, he’ll be fine and it would have been the paralysing shock of the moment that caused his, let's say subdued, reaction.

You have to be happy with the addition of Quinton Narkle, Charlie Nicholls has no doubt been selected with a degree of project prospect in mind and Aiden Riddle appears some sort of replacement pick for us unfortunately losing Maxy Knobel.

However, we’re more excited about the prospect of the new Carr model pulling into the Cockburn parking lot! We hold a hopeful flame Jaren Carr is more than a chip off the old engine block and that he shares his uncle’s values. Are we going to see shades of yesteryear? Is there a new agitator in town?

Plenty of other Docker data to get through so, if you’re showing summer deficiencies in your purple levels and you need to boost your consumption, we’re a short-term synthetic hit right here. We’re neither a safe or effective option but hey, we don’t enforce listening mandates!

You’d think we’d be all out of nonsense just writing this podcast episode blurb, but you’d be mistaken! Unfortunately, there is plenty more absurdity so, if you can’t find a better option, feel free to tune in.

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Unfortunately, we subscribe to the adage “You always finish what you start.” So, with the Odd Bods done, we’ve got the Even Stevens to complete. Time to Restump Podcast part two of the Buy Sell Hold 2024 report.

Sometimes you can get caught up in and conflicted by your ideological values. Yes, we believe you should finish what you start, but having completed part one two weeks ago, devoid of reasoning, we’ve delayed until tomorrow what we could have done yesterday. However, if only our nonsense was worthy, we’d suggest all good things come to those who wait. But while time and tide wait for no one, it does little to stop the inevitable delivery of the mediocre. Thankfully, sewing confusion often serves as a pass generating act of distraction. So, enough of that later!

Now that you’re bamboozled and suffering a headache, hopefully you’ve forgotten we’re late with the completion of the 2024 Buy Hold Sell report. So, let’s get into it.

With the list predominantly settled, we’ve got around twenty even Stevens, many of which write their own report. Is anyone in their right mind really not buying Andy Brayshaw, Hayden Young or Jordan Clark shares?

Is Jye Amiss’ stock wrongfully depressed after his handy but wayward kicking year? What is Jaegar O’Meara’s current valuation? And, for that matter, are Sean Darcy’s injuries impacting the financial decisions? Some tricky investment strategies need to be undertaken.

There’s plenty of other Docker data dropping. The fixtures are out for 2025 containing plenty of purple positives and it must be said we’re not displeased the Roos are exiting Tasmania and entering WA.

The Bell has rung time on Peter’s purple career. In a literal sense Papa Smurf could fill his shoes, but metaphorically speaking and from a professional perspective, Aaron Sandilands’s size 18 feet would still leave plenty of room. An astute, often necessarily ruthless, asset at the club will be missed and extremely difficult to replace.

All that and way too much more gibberish that no one asked for. So, feel free to join us as we purple up the airwaves and prattle on about our favourite Freo football faction.

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As the dust begins to settle on the purple player peddling period and the list starts to take shape, it’s time for the annual bank balance breaking, farm losing, homelessness generating Restump Podcast Buy, Sell, Hold investment strategy report.

Some say the annual Buy Sell Hold Restump Podcast report has become a much-anticipated piece of forward financial planning market analysis, not unlike Warren Buffett’s annual letter to shareholders at Berkshire Hathaway. Thankfully at the Restump we don’t value accountability whatsoever, so we don’t have to prove beyond fictional hearsay that some people said anything of a sort.

To be brutally honest, if you’re not into consistently averaging down and if you’re not willing to be a patient bottom drawer investor, its debatable if this report is for you. As we always say at the Restump, there are many ways to the poor house, but our Buy Hold Sell report is probably the quickest route.

This year we’re splitting the report into two jumper number parts, part one The Odd Bods and part two The Even Stevens.

It is a loosely researched report in which we place an investment recommendation on individuals. We ponder questions such as, has Sammy Sturt’s persistence paid dividends and what value do we place on his potential upside? In what will surely be his final year, Fyfe is a difficult buy. But does he pull one out of the bag and create one final big value retrieving trade? Is Jimmy Aish at the financial report career crossroads, are buyers and holders going to get opportunity to grow Will Brodie stock and could Oscar McDonald be the bargain buy of the year?

So many scenarios, so many unnecessary opinions, so many needless questions and so few right answers. But it is all fun and games until the administrators are appointed, your liabilities are sold like the tradeable commodity they are and the baseball bat wielding debt collectors knock at your door.

At the end of the day, it’s only money and you can’t take it with you when you leave this spinning space rock. So, join us as we throw around a bunch of Arthur Ash in a feeble attempt to compile something with some semblance of a capital growth and income generating Freo financial future fund.

Truth be known its probably just an excuse to talk Fremantle Dockers.

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We had to pony up a bit more cheese than we had hoped, but Shai isn’t the only one smiling now. Time to Restump Podcast the momentous occasion of the second coming of Bolton.

It’s been too long between Bolton drinks at Freo. While he may have only managed two games for the purple in 1999, we can’t undervalue the work Shai’s Dad, Darren, did for Fremantle off the field in 1998!

We’ve struggled to land a true top line forward from many attempts over our thirty-year history, so this is a pretty pivotal moment for the club. It feels like we’ve taken a substantial step towards the promised land, and without playing a game.

It really is starting to feel like we’re getting our ducks, or rather docks, in a row. Obviously one player doesn’t deliver you success, but at this particular time and in this particular team, Shai Bolton does seem a serious piece of the purple premiership puzzle.

There has been the odd speed bump along the way, but the build has been rather methodical. The draft work has been impressive and, despite the abuse the club has copped at times from fans and media, the list management has been superb.

There comes a time when you must pull the trigger, move the chips to middle of the table and go all in. With the window starting to open, landing the versatile Bolton, fulfilling a desperate area of need and, dare we say, putting the finishing touches on the long-term build, is our superbly timed pulling of the trigger.

We all know there are no guarantees, there are only efforts. But we’ve done the hard yards, Lord knows we’ve done the hard yards, so it is time to release the Kraken, take a genuine run at it, hope for a bit of luck and maybe, just maybe, in the near future, we’ll finally get to experience the ultimate success.

We all have our thoughts and opinions on Shai Bolton himself and what we coughed up to get him. It now matters not, because the deal is done, and you’re kidding yourself if you’re not at least even secretly excited about his arrival.

We can agree, we can disagree and we can agree to disagree, but don’t bite off your nose to spite your face if you’re holding a negative position. Don’t do yourself a disservice and be that guy! We’re potentially entering unchartered waters, you only get to win a first premiership once, you want to live it, you want to be immersed in it, so you want to get on board the Bolton Bandwagon and enjoy every enthralling moment.

While not nearly as exciting or entertaining, meanwhile you’re free to join us on the pod as we annotate, celebrate and possibly over-exaggerate the often-balletic Bolton.

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In terms of trades over the first five days of trade period... how’s the serenity? But we’re about to get to the nuts and Boltons of it. Time to Restump Podcast the purple appraisals, possibilities and prognostications.

While there has been little movement at the station, it is difficult to believe Shai Bolton won’t be lining up in purple in 2025. The very good, potentially over the odds, offer of pick 10 and 18 will suffice once the theatrical Mexican standoff subsides.

Are two first rounders overs or tote odds? The overwhelming consensus, which Jojo is a part of, is “pay it and get the deal done.” But some of us, on some level the Chief, tend to lean towards a more play hardball, conservative number.

Yes, we’re at the pointy end of the build of which a Shai Bolton adds a shedload of upgrade. There isn’t a Freo fan in their right mind that can’t wait to get him in.

But, from a different perspective, possibly a greedy one, I’m more a roll the dice on Bolton and hope he lands for less, go to the draft with one top end pick and trade the third into 2025 ensuring we’re in an un-out-biddable position for Chad Warner next year.

All we’ve heard all year and particularly post-season from fans and media is, “we’ve got more than enough talent to on the list to be challenging now”. While I agree in part, I think they were a year or two short on the now. Can you have it both ways? If you think we have we got enough talent on the list, but then say throw the two first rounders at Bolton, does your Bolton request cancel out your former claim?

Personally, given we were probably a Josh Treacy and or Alex Pearce injury away from the top, or near the top four, I’d be willing to risk losing Bolton in favour of going to the draft with one high end pick this year and securing Warner next year. I’m a pick 10 and pick 30, take it or leave it Tiges! But that is just me.

Then again what is too much? If Shai Bolton came in and we secured our maiden premiership in 2025, we’ve stolen him! If we have a similar season, make the finals, win one and get knocked out… how will we view it? It’s a gamble now that only hindsight will eventually tell us the answer.

However, having a belief we’re potentially paying overs, not necessarily for the player, but for what it may restrict us doing elsewhere, and being super excited to get that same player in, can co-exist.

Do we entertain taking on a Baker? And how much dough is that going to cost us? I’d suggest Baker is more your bread-and-butter type player that doesn’t add anywhere near enough of an upgrade for what it would cost to bring him in. To be honest, if Freo brought him in it would go against the grain and I doubt they’ll contemplate it. However, as West Coast, albeit momentarily, but ironically baked their deal, Baker suddenly became available so, we thought we butter talk about it. It’s the yeast we could do! Ok enough of that nonsense… wind it up, it’s almost past our bread time!

All beliefs and opinions aren’t wrong until they are, so we stake our claims, we share our sentiments and live in hope until our nonsense is inevitably disproven and it all comes crashing down.

So, if only because too much purple prattle is never enough, while we wait for the imminent Bolton trade to formerly drop, feel free to join us on the podcast for the deep, often off the rails, Docker discussion.

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Watching finals from the side-lines, celebrating award winners and saying goodbye to purple soldiers. This emotional roller coaster can get knotted! Time to Restump Podcast the assortment of sentiment.

As Fremantle fans, you’d think we’d be acclimatised to watching September from the side-lines… I mean we’ve done it 22 times in the last 30 years! But watching the finals this year and knowing how close we were to being a part of it… we’ve developed an itch that needs a scratch! We need a fix; we need a September transfusion; we need a finals injection to get the purple bloodstream pumping! But we’ll bide our time, do the hard yards once again and hope this time next year outcomes will be different.

Meanwhile, again at this time of year, we have to undertake the unenviable task of waving goodbye to numerous Docker diehards that dug deep over the duration. We sadly say sayonara and send off soldiers some who never saw any action, all of them devoid of September success.

The often unjustly maligned Matty Taberner, the ever-ready Ethan Hughes, the always jovial Josh Corbett, the sky scraping Sebit Kuek and the couldn’t quite get there Conrad Williams. All five deserve gratitude, but especially Tabs and Hughesy. They got everything out of themselves, emptied their tanks, they were part of the journey and played vital roles at times. Thanks fellas and enjoy whatever comes next in life.

To move to a brighter note we celebrated the Doig medal awards last night. Now it is safe to say it wasn’t exactly a short a night and awards weren't rare. And not to diminish the attached prestige to any accolade, but it seemed if you attended the gala and went home without some sort of medal or acknowledgement, you were stiff! But there is a lot to be said for professionalism and attention to detail and it was truly a magnificent night. If only we could be as thorough on the field as we were off it!

There were no surprises, Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw were always going to deservedly quinella the Doig and it was just a matter of which order.

The only shock that could have occurred on the night was if Josh Corbett didn’t win the best good bloke award! Never going to happen.

Josh Draper won the “stood out like a Beacon for all the right reasons” award. It was great to see, it was thoroughly deserved and we’re all pretty excited for him and us going forward.

Lukey Ryan won the Mi Casa Property Boutique Award. He got the most wins for metres gained in a single quarter, more than any other player. Don’t quote me on it as it hasn’t been confirmed... but I think he wins a house, courtesy of the magnificent Mi Casa crew.

Awards, delistings, finals, trades… plenty of purple to prattle on about. So, if you’re in need of a dose of docker drivel, drag up a davenport, dial in and dwell on our dubious determinations.

Enough of the nonsensical alphabet games… let’s get into it! Join us in the purple pod pool, the water is warm.

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The day started at 10.30am in WA and at 7pm Sunday evening when it finished, we were flat as tacks and emotionally exhausted. Time to Restump Podcast the season ending loss to Power from Port.

We were doing the finals hokey pokey all day! We had one foot in, we had one foot out! As Fremantle fans we’re well acclimatized to the seasonal emotional roller coaster, heck we even handle it for 80 consecutive minutes at times… but enduring eight hours on the mental anguish causing metaphoric carnival ride, well that was a new bag.

Quite frankly the game mirrored our season. We’re good, but we’re just not that good yet. We’re good, but we can’t be good enough for long enough yet.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t handle the pressure Port consistently applied. The relentless pressure caused us to fumble and double grab everything and it led to perceived pressure which saw us unable to be clean in uncontested situations. We missed simple handballs, simple kicks, simple shots on goal.

Three or four times we saw highly damaging two goal turnarounds. We saw no forward pressure. We went -4 in the first quarter and -5 in the 3rd quarter for tackles inside fifty. It ended up 17 to 9 in Port’s favour.

We saw silly undisciplined acts from Jordan Clark and Liam Reidy that both led to simple Port Adelaide goals. When you’ve previously lost six games by 13 points or less, we should know better!

But all those factors are part of the make up of why we’re not that good yet.

However, as disheartening as it was to let slip an opportunity that was there for the taking, there is a reluctant comfort there for the taking as well. We’re seriously close to challenging. For rounds 22, 23 and 24 there was no Alex Pearce, no Michael Walters, no Sean Darcy and probably most detrimentally no Josh Treacy. Yet in those games we pushed and had chances to beat Geelong, GWS and Port Adelaide, three of the top final four sides. I’m happy to repeat my belief, we’re very close!

But as we all know, being very close doesn’t feed the Bulldog. Getting it done does and we simply couldn’t. It hurts like a bugger right now and will do as we watch the September action from the sidelines.

But we tidy up a few things, maybe go shopping for a gun or two, come back a year older, a year more experienced and with another pre-season under the collective belt and half those narrow losses might be top four propelling wins.

While I’m sure he’d trade it for 8th place on the ladder, Marshy Skates got out of Sunday with the $50 spend at 2 Brothers Foods, taking out the season finale of the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition.

We’ve only scratched the surface of our healing, so there is much more to work through on the pod. Let’s work collectively on our grief, our pain and our anguish. There are questions to be asked, tough calls to be made and break throughs to be had. So, let’s all pull up a purple couch, lay back and let the therapeutic conversational healing begin.

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It was a legitimate honourable loss, ironically delivered partly by a dishonourable act. We’re going to have to hit ole Rosco Lyon and Rory up for favours! Time to Restump Podcast all the purple palaver.

Another lethargic start to a game has once again hurt us. We’re so close, but we are where we’re supposed to be because genuine really good sides don’t consistently have lapses or make certain mistakes. But the reality is, we’re good enough to challenge, if we simply tidy up a couple of areas.

The Giants are a hot side and, as the competition’s in form side, should arguably be premiership favourites. They were at full strength, revved up on their home deck and incentivised with a top four spot. Admittedly, we had finals to qualify and play for, but we were on the road and without our best key forward, our lead ruck and our best key defender. The performance was mostly admirable.

While few were a bit wide of thee mark, Andy Brayshaw again left no uncertainty surrounding how much of a priority his valuable signature is. Caleb Serong had a monster of a day especially under thee heavy tagging tactics of Toby Bedford and it was magnificent to see Sammy Sturt put in a ripper.

Bailey Banfield has copped some unfair criticism at times, but you can’t defend his brain snap. To be so undisciplined at such a pivotal moment with so much on the line, is unforgiveable. But Paddy Voss gave away a dumb 50m penalty which, directly or indirectly, however you assess it, resulted in a goal to the Giants. It wrongfully didn’t carry the same scrutiny because it wasn’t in the final minutes. Jye Amiss missed 2 absolute sodas in the 3rd quarter, put another one out of bounds on the full and also missed Luke Jackson with a simple kick. Brennan Cox was seemingly on another planet on occasions and Jordan Clark and Brandon Walker watched Brent Daniels run amok all day. There are many moments throughout a game that deserve the same frustrated response that Bailey Banfield is suffering.

Beyond that, once again the game against Geelong last week and the game against the Giants on Saturday really should have determined whether we made the top four or not, not whether we made the eight. Six games we’ve lost by 13 points or less and in five of them we were leading at three quarter time. There is a bit more to blame than Bailey Banfield idiotically giving away a 50m penalty.

So, its all down to the final three games of the final round of the season for us. With the two games that can partly determine our fate on Sunday prior to our game, we’ll know if we can make the eight or not before the first bounce.

We need our former coach, Rosco Lyon, to get his Sainters to repeat their effort and result against Carlton which they delivered against Geelong on the weekend. And/or if Rory Lobb can repay some of what he owes us by sandbagging his teammates, allowing the Giants to prevail, then we’re in with a live chance.

Hawthorn aren’t losing to North Melbourne so we can rule a line through that. So, if Carlton and the Dogs both win, its goodbye 2024. If one or either of them lose, its all up to us to turn the Power out.

One minute Shai Bolton has requested a trade, next minute, apparently, he hasn’t. For that to occur, it means he is surely going to. It is difficult to think he’s not going to be in purple next year, but we walk away if the price is overs.

Unfortunately, the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition didn’t get up on the weekend, but it will absolutely be running for our final home and away season game. It’ll be your final chance to snare a freebie spend at 2 Brothers Foods.

Plenty of goings on at the Cockburn club, so bring your opinions and

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Are we Reidy for Saturday morning fever? Disco is back! Yes, I know… it couldn’t be lamer… but we’re trying cut the tension surrounding this game, of which there is virtually no tomorrow! Time to Restump Podcast the stress against GWS.

This isn’t the position we had envisioned! We had aspirations of a lengthy September; we had no intention of playing a game with potentially no tomorrow in August. Ok to the mathematical letter of the law, its not exactly a no tomorrow proposition, but its as close as we can get without it being one.

And now with our season teetering on the edge, to save it we must, without our best forward, our best defender and our lead ruck, come up against a rampaging, pretty much full-strength Giants outfit, spearheaded by the Coleman medal favorite and ex Fremantle full forward.

It is ‘backs to the wall’ stuff for us purple people! However, looking back at the eleventy squillion times in our history when we’ve been in similar ‘backs to the wall’ situations and seeing them result in a requirement of structural maintenance for the wall, I just can’t gather the confidence I was hoping to fill up on. Hope, desire and dreams we’ve got plenty of, but confidence is a little scarce.

But in a roundabout way, it could amount to a situation where the pressure is sort of off and expectations aren’t all encompassing, and that can, at times, lead to some favourably unexpected outcomes. Yeah, that sounds more comforting… let's run with that. Pressure is off and play with the freedom!

While it probably would have been preferable last week, it’s wonderful to see Liam Reidy get a debut. He’s deserved a gig and while we can’t saddle him with lofty expectations, we can only hope he goes well. We’ll even barrack for and celebrate a halving of the contest.

And is the insertion of the Disco and the enthusiasm he brings, the shot in the arm the team needs? He’s had a really tough year and while we probably thought we would see an O’Driscoll this year, we were thinking Emma rather than Nathan. Tear up the wing Disco, and if you get the opportunity, celebrate your hardest and get the boys on board!

Another day, another prospective coach escapes the West Coast Eagles’ clutches. It's tragically sad what that once proud, eternally pretentious and ever still arrogant club has become. We reach across the aisle, give them a consoling pat on the back, a “hang in there” whisper and wish them all the best in the Neighbourhood Watch segment.

We’re nearing season’s end of the Mi Casa Property Boutique meters gained competition, so keep a look out for it on our social media pages sometime Friday, throw in an entry and you might find your way into a free $50 spend at 2 Brothers Foods.

Let’s get into it on the pod and see if we can find a way in to somehow slaying these menacing Giants.

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Three quarter time we’re sitting top four with a guaranteed finals campaign locked in. Half an hour later we’re clinging on to September for dear life! Time to Restump Podcast the Cat scratching.

That season jeopardising last quarter loss to Geelong on Saturday was soul destroying, but to be honest, it probably isn’t the game we should be mad about. Admittedly, for whatever reason, we didn’t show up for half the first quarter and we again worryingly ran out of legs late in the game, but under the circumstances, we performed pretty admirably against a very formidable outfit.

That result was always a chance of happening but we shouldn’t have been in the position that such a game carried so much importance. Our frustrations should apply to the early Derby, the Collingwood draw and the loss to Essendon last week. They’re the opportunities we let slip that puts us in the precarious position we now find ourselves in.

The fact is after quarter time on Saturday we outscored Geelong which was a pretty decent feat. Remove our current best key forward, our current best key defender, our lead ruck and our most experienced and senior small forward, and we’re vulnerable against anyone.

That isn’t giving a pass to the crew that was out there Saturday though, because there is no excuse for mindset. Knowing the unfortunate situation of what was on the line, its difficult to think you couldn’t be fired up and ready to unleash at the first bounce.

The selection of Matt Taberner seemed an odd one but there are obviously reasons we are unaware of. However, with the inclusion of Paddy Voss at the expense of Josh Treacy and the knowledge that Sean Darcy was doubtful, it’s puzzling why you’d go for Taberner in front of Liam Reidy, which was our known possible area of need.

But selection issues and missing guns aside, we had our opportunities to win the match but we butchered several moments. We had no mid forward connection, which is somewhat understandable given the upheaval of our forward line. But frustratingly and most disappointingly, we applied little to no forward pressure as Geelong consistently walked the ball out of defence with the greatest of ease.

As mentioned, it’s left us in a very precarious position. The fact we’ve virtually only beaten one genuine top eight side all year, it tragically feels more likely than not that we miss September, given we have to win one of our two remaining games against the Giants and Port Adelaide.

Destiny is in our own hands, but it feels like she’s saying stop touching me up and put me down! But we’re resilient, glass half full, adversity enduring eternal optimists. We don’t know how to do things the easy way! We subscribe to the theory that if you’re not dead, you’re not done and that’s all the chance we need.

Congrats to Josie Price on taking out the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition on the weekend. Jeremy Sharp, who did show up in the first quarter, got the business done for her and Josie now takes off the $100 jackpot from 2 Brothers Foods.

Anyway, let’s get into the pod and see where the purple prattle goes. We’re all doing it tough, we’re all a little distraught at the horrible prospect of missing finals so we need to talk it through. Join us if you’re looking for a support network, because we do!

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It can’t have gotten far, it was just with us! Geez, you can’t take your eyes of opportunity for a second! It’s time to Restump Podcast Sunday’s demoralising top 4 departure.

Sunday at the MCG felt very historically Fremantle-ish. Destroying pivotal moments and golden opportunities! Just when we had the chance to almost lock down some valuable top four real estate, the Essendon Bomber Bank said, “sorry, we’re not financing that” and the deal fell over.

It really hurt because it was another game that we’ve let slip. The two games in South Australia were slightly different bags, but the early West Coast loss and the Collingwood draw had filled our allowable debacle quota. Letting Essendon run us down from four goals behind… is a step too far and could have horrifically dire consequences in relation to September participation.

The game was quite deceiving. Our rare accuracy and efficiency were clouding the reality. The fact is, we weren’t travelling that well early in the game. Just 10 inside fifties in the first quarter to Essendon’s 18 was disguised because we kicked 4 goals 1. We were scoring every second entry, but so were the Bombers who kicked 5 goals 4. Did the 9-point quarter time margin not set the alarm bells off?

Was there a sense of complacency? Were we out there thinking a mirrored performance from the previous week against the West Coast Eagles would unfold? At half time we’d gone inside 50 two less times than we did in the first quarter, but again we were accurate and efficient kicking 5 goals neat. Compounding our potential complacency was Essendon kicking 1 goal 2… but they went inside 50 fifteen times. If Essendon started scoring, we were in strife.

The penny seemed to drop in the third quarter as we got our game going and got it on our terms. Clearances, contested possession, inside fifties all turned in our favour. But for all our dominance we didn’t necessarily make the most of it.

The final quarter was a disaster. They steam rolled us and, disappointingly, we showed little to no fight. We reverted to the first half form, getting beaten in contested and uncontested possession and they took 16 more marks than us in the final term alone. We made just one centre clearance and that was where the game was lost.

It was a game we should have won with the personnel we had but the experienced and steadying hands of Alex Pearce and Sonny Walters at either end of the ground, were noticeably missing. And if those ‘numbers on a page’ readers think we don’t miss Nat Fyfe… maybe now they’ll change their tune.

It’s a devastating loss and one that may prove fatal in terms of September this year but, bigger picture-wise, let’s not forget where we are and where we were this time last year. (15th for those playing at home) We’re an exceptionally young side of substantial talent. As far as premiership windows go, ours is only just starting to open.

We’ve got the Cats, Giants and Port to come in the run to the finals. Those three teams in their current form probably pose the toughest test any side has to endure in these final three weeks. We’re only a win and % out of 9th…. we probably need to win two of our last three.

Anyway, lets get into it on the pod and break it all down further. So, if you’re looking to make sense of it all…. point us in the right direction because so are we! Problems shared are problems halved and you can’t solve them without talking about them. Let’s start the chit chat.

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Someone has some tidying up to do after throwing all the toys out of the cot! To be fair to Harley, he did make it a great entertaining Derby. Time to Restump Podcast the Eagle’s grand final loss.

It was far from the iconic demolition derby but we saw a return to some highly entertaining derby spite, plenty of antagonism and several subsequent flareups. In this new world of sanitised and scrutinised football, it was probably as close to the great derby era as we’re ever going to get.

Whatever you think of Harley Reid, he brought enough hostility and created enough friction to turn what have been lifeless, often dispirited, recent derbies into something most of us were thrilled by.

The high and mighty finger waggers, will look down their noses, make tut tut sounds, cry 'unnecessary' and self-righteously suggest bigger fish need frying!

Let the purists stew in their own joyless existence! The rest of us know thoroughly enjoying the moment and the journey and remaining focused, can all co-exist.

It was the win and the game we needed. A 100-point belting wouldn’t have helped us from a mindset perspective. We needed the kitchen sink thrown at us, we needed to wear the pressure and be made fight tooth and nail. Admittedly West Coast are in wooden spoon territory but the game was played at a level far above and beyond that. Personally, I’d go as far as to suggest it was up there with our best wins of the season.

There was a professionalism about it, about how we assessed it on the run and then went about rectifying it. To endure the heat that West Coast brought, be near on four goals down, click up a gear, take back the ascendency and then put them to the sword, was super impressive and it can only put us in good stead going forward.

It shed some light on a few questions that were lingering above our heads. Could we turn a game under extreme duress? Would we be able to insert our game style in the face of that level of pressure? Yes, again it was West Coast and they weren’t going to be able to sustain their first half pressure for the full game, but they did a better job at it than we all probably thought they would.

Andy Brayshaw is back to his 2022 form and Caleb Serong was just absolutely absurd! His clean ball handling skills are Lachie-Neale-like! And while Hayden Young might be the silky-smooth left foot deliverer, another ridiculous 12 big tackles show he’s not afraid to get down and do the hard stuff.

Down back the crew continues to perform and now the forward line is entering well oiled machine territory. Josh Draper was rightly recognised with a Rising Star nomination. The mind boggles where he is going to be in a few years! Even our wings look super solid with Sharp and O’Meara.

We’ve become a serious team. There are no heroes or egos, everything is team oriented, team first. Players seem willing to do the hard yards today without personal reward. Consistent individual team orientated based effort across the board, sees everyone have their day, but not necessarily on the same week. The acceptance of that and the willingness to work for the greater cause, is paramount to achieving ultimate success.

The Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition failed to go off as Tommy Emmett took the fourth quarter and was shown no love by participants. That means there is a $100 spend at 2 Brothers Foods this week against the Bombers.

Enough of this rambling here, lets get into it on the pod as we go through Saturday night’s Derby in depth. So, if you’re still ginned up and looking to non-violently fight anything clad in blue and gold, put on the purple mitts and join us in throwing metaphorical haymak

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Is it true the West Coast Eagle’s coaching position is now being advertised on Gumtree? Time to Restump preview Podcast our retribution seeking Derby.

We miss the golden Derby era! It was a time when rivalry really meant something, when flying the colours and playing with club pride were the objectives and the four points was secondary want.

However, let’s not revive it Saturday night. As we hone in on what should be a final’s campaign in a month’s time, we need to avoid suspendable situations at all cost. Let’s view the AFL tribunal like prospects around the country are viewing the West Coast Eagle’s head coaching position – places no one wants to be in!

After the deplorable performance we put in against West Coast back in round 6, we do need retribution. But it’s a bigger fish to fry, greater good type retributive prospect we should be viewing it as. There is a top 4 position and a double chance on offer and that needs to be the sole focus.

And I’m not going to lie, I have some concerns about us getting through the game unscathed. West Coast have suddenly abandoned their “play the kids” policy and brought back a host of veterans. It has “nothing to lose” vibes about it and cheap spiteful acts may be on their strategic whiteboard. Can they goad us into something we don’t want to be involved in? We have to fly the flag and back up our teammates, but we have to be retaliatorily measured. They kind of have us at disadvantage, if that is the path they choose.

Unfortunately, Sonny Walters has pinged a hammy and will spend time out and we know Alex Pearce is done for four or five weeks. That’s a decent amount of experience to go out when you realise their replacements are Tommy Emmett and Josh Draper. In fact, over the four players we show a 343 games and 359 goal deficit.

But the reality is, winning on Saturday night is simply mindset, it’s intent. If we turn up in the right frame of mind, apply the intensity that we have in recent weeks, the result should take care of itself. If we fail to do that, do we really deserve to play finals?

The Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained Competition will be back for the Derby so keep an eye on our social media and throw in an entry. You might score a $50 spend from 2 Brothers Foods.

Regarding the result, Brett, or Brent or Brad McDonald or McDonnell is a little too overconfident for my liking but, I guess this episode of the Neighbourhood Watch segment also oozes cautious arrogant optimism.

Strategically speaking, it is a little difficult to be meaningful analytical about this upcoming game, so it’s a preview pod with more nonsense than the usual amount.

So, if you’re partial to palaver and pointless prattle, part with a portion of your presence, pull up a pew and plug this 40-minute parcel into your Lords and Peers. By all means. take the plunge and join us in the purple opinion party pool.

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A Doig medal, an All Australian, a Simpson medal and lead DJ at Covid Club 150. Time to Restump Podcast Lukey Ryan’s 150th in the demolition of the Dees.

The defensively versatile Luke Ryan has put together a remarkable 150 games and played them at a ridiculously consistent high-end level. He’s been the mainstay, showing incredible durability, playing 150 of a possible 160 games since his debut in 2017, and at 28 years of age, there’s another 100+ games in him yet.

His services were barely required Sunday as we tore a hapless Melbourne Demons team apart in the middle, softening the reliance on the defensive unit. Without a Max Gawn and a Christian Petracca, there was little to no resistance in the midfield and around the ground at stoppages.

While without any doubt we performed superbly, producing a connectivity enabling chains of play we have only dreamt of and been striving for, our lack of an opponent had some say in it.

There is something that is just not cricket at Melbourne. We took 21 marks inside 50 and our average prior to the game was 12. A total of 24%, nearly one in every four of our marks were inside 50! That is an insane stat. We usually go around the 12%, or one in 8 or 9 marks inside 50.

We went +31 in the clearances when we average +7 all year. Centre clearances we were +9 and we usually go around +2.4 mark.

The Dees had a Jack Viney and a Clayton Oliver in there. They rolled Trent Rivers and Tom Sparrow through there. These are far from fringe players so there is plenty of merit in our performance. But you don’t put up numbers like we did against these types if there aren’t additional underlying issues. Max Gawn and Christian Petracca are influential greats but they weren’t that big of a difference. Something is a tad off at Demon land.

But we got to play our game and hone our drills. We banked another four points and added 3% which may or may not end up vital. Top 4 is ours if we want it.

It was magnificent to see what is now the full-blown arrival of Josh Treacy. Lets remember, while the Dees were off in the middle they still had a Steven May and a Jake Lever. Neither of them caused Treacy any grief.

Message sending Sonny Walters was back causing havoc and putting in a complete and well-rounded game. Never write off champions!

I’m willing to bet right now that Andy Brayshaw is a shoe-in for next captain. He’s back to his 2022 best, with big moment and game influential acts. If anyone wants that bet, get in touch with me!

It was one of those one in all in, same page, individual role playing performances that produces stunning results. The Dees may not have put the pressure on us but its still a win we should take great confidence out of.

The injury to the captain is a devastating one and hasn’t arrived at the ideal time. He was in scintillating form and leaves shoes impossible to fill. Lets hope the time frame is good news.

While we sit in the top 4, we are only a game and a half out of 9th. So, the words 'No Complacency' should be put in bold on the white board down at Cockburn this week, as we head towards the derby!

We ran into a few time hurdles so the Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained competition didn’t get up last weekend. It’ll return for the Derby.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable game to watch but it’s an interesting game to assess. Ross Lyon’s “never as good or as bad” line seems highly appropriate.

Anyway, let’s get into a bit more depth on the pod and see what noisy nonsense eventuates.

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Jet lag? What about the jet leg! Any hope of a few extra first-class business seats, AFL? Time to Restump Podcast the ever-treacherous Tassie trip.

There is a reason why 2 wins separate positions 2 and 13 on the ladder. It’s that type of remarkable year where the difference between most teams on any given day is negligible. A year, rightly or wrongly, in which the AFL’s equalisation endeavour army will be patting themselves on the back.

We had the opportunity to almost secure a top 4 finish but couldn’t get it done. However, as far as losses go, this one wasn’t in the soul destroying, therapy requiring category. It was almost acceptable. I said almost! Ok, maybe understandable is more appropriate than acceptable. But with understanding comes acceptance… you get the point.

Quite simply there was too much Hawk Torque for us. They matched or bettered our intensity and endeavours and, more importantly, they took their chances, whereas we didn’t.

We had the opportunity to put the game away in the third quarter and it felt like we went all in. +36 poss’, +12 contested poss’, +8 clearances, +11 marks… we were dominating the so-called ‘premiership quarter.’ But for all our dominance, 10 scoring shots to 4 for the quarter, we only outscored Hawthorn by 16 points. The inaccuracy fever re-infected the freo folk with Jye, Vossy, Freddy and Caleb falling victim and it proved fatal.

We’d thrown our best punch and in Fast and Furious analogical speak, we mistimed hitting the nitro button.

The Hawks took the ascendency in the final term and were beating us at our own game. That said, again we had our chances but the story of the day continued. We failed where it counts most, inaccurately kicking 1 goal 3 to Hawthorn’s 5 goals 1.

It was a tight, hard fought, defence orientated contest all day and, in God’s country, as the final siren drew near, we were left with nothing other than a prayer that went unanswered.

The Hawks have now won 8 of their last 10 games, they’ve won 60 of 80 games at York Park and over the last 7 weeks they’re top 4 for centre bounce clearance wins and number one in the league for scoring from them. They’re very far from your typical 13th placed team and they deserve credit for what they’re doing and for their win over us.

We’ll get out of Tassie, regroup and reset for the Dees this week.

Rabi Rchy is snacking on his 2 Brothers Foods $50 spend after winning the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition on the weekend. Jye Amiss may have kicked inaccurately, but inaccuracy doesn’t compromise metres!

On this occasion, the usual therapeutic 50 minutes post-loss is unnecessary. However, some reasoning, some realigning rationale and some sobering sounding sentiments can’t hurt, can it? But we’re not the gate keepers of public opinion! So, feel free to join us, disagree with us, converse with us and share the ever-emotionally erratic expedition all us Freo folk forever fancy.

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A strong leading, pack busting, ground covering, contested mark taking, accurate goal kicking forward! Who here is not shedding a joyful purple tear? Time to Restump Podcast the Tiger taming.

Saturday night wasn’t our best performance. It is more than fair to say it wasn’t polished or pretty…. but we’re not on a catwalk in Milan! Sometimes you just have to get the business done and we’ll take an ugly four points over a pretty loss every day of the week.

The Tigers are 18th on the ladder for a reason. They’re in an ‘end of a dynastical era’ situation and with a substantial injury and aging list and a new first-time coach, it is understandable they’re severely struggling.

But there were enough former premiership players in their team on Saturday night, along with a Taranto and a Hopper, to offer up some resistance. On some level they dragged us down to their level, as can be the case.

One guy who wasn’t entertaining anything other than a top shelf showing, was Josh Treacy. Career best 5 goals, 9 big grabs, almost 500 metres gained, numerous contests and even a stint in the ruck! He is on a ridiculous growth trajectory, so much so, that the re-signing of Logan McDonald with Sydney during the week, barely raised a fleeting interest from us Freo folk. Through his form this year, our 2020 Rookie Draft pick (yes that’s right, our rookie pick) has said, “what do you need Logan for?”

But he couldn’t do it all on his own! As we know everything starts in the middle and there was a future captain in there who was back to his 2022 best. Welcome back, Andy Brayshaw! He’s been going superbly, but Saturday night he was back to monster status.

The return of Heath Chapman and his contributions and the growth in Matty Johnson is something else. Hayden Young’s seemingly now regularity in hitting the scoreboard, Sam Switkowski’s high level consistency and a return of Freddy doing Freddy things are all vital parts, the sum of which adds to the reason why we’re sitting in the top four.

We’ve grown as a club and become a tighter unit. That Tigers outfit and the occasion, coming off a big win against the Swans, once would have troubled us. In fact, as near as last year it would have caused us some level of trepidation. But there is a dependability about the group now, a belief in desire and effort and a trust in each other. It is showing on the field and in the results.

The jackpot went off in the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition and Russ2468 on twitter took home the $150 spend at 2 Brothers Foods. We rewire, replumb, restump and reset back to $50 this coming week.

We’re a bit late with the pod this week and, truth be known, we’re probably the exception to the ‘better late than never’ rule. So, if you haven’t moved on to the Hawks game, by all means bung these 50 minutes in your Lords and Peers. It’ll cost you an hour of your life, you’ll learn nothing and chances are you’d be better off without it but is that a risk worth taking? Of course it isn’t but what’s life without risk?

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And he turned to his detractors and said, “Write me off at your peril. In the near future, I see no Swan song.” Time to Restump Podcast that magnificent win against the Bloods.

It is difficult to fathom that everything across the board would all come together on a Saturday in Sydney against the Swans. There was no early lethargy and no lapses, there were no holes in the game plan or deficiencies in executing it. Oddly enough, given our seemingly vulnerable backline, there was no missing piece of the puzzle.

It was as if there was a foreign subconscious connection over the entire group, a highly infectious energetic positive presence. The deep selflessness and the sacrifice of the individuals, produced a pure purple magic we’ve previously only seen sporadically.

From the coaching committee to the players, to the runners, the book only consisted of the single page and everyone was on it.

Internally, there wasn’t a hint of trepidation about the gigantic shoes Josh Draper and Hugh Davies had to fill, or the ominous and understandably overwhelming task they were both asked to perform. How they both carried themselves, shouldering such responsibility, it is now easy to see why!

The poise and the composure of Josh Draper and his, dare we continue to say it, Michael Johnson-like versatility, brings a joyful and nostalgic tear to your eye. And then the currently undersized but competent and competitive Hugh Davies in just his second game…. shut your face! Yeah, he made a bit of a blue with his loop short kick to Clarky, but we’re putting it down to the ghost of Blake Acres.

Quite simply we cannot sing the praises of the two young defenders highly enough. Up forward with Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson we may have Triple J. But down back with Draper and Davies…. we’ve now got a great pair of Double D’s!

But while talking defenders, we should throw some love Corey Wagner’s way. He is proving pivotal and probably performing above all hopes. JL, Bell, Wallsy and whoever else deserve a congratulatory pat on their collective backs for plucking him out of obscurity.

And we can’t leave off without giving the “we should’ve known” nod of respectful acknowledgment to the old man in the middle. When the old dogs are Fyfe dogs, they can always learn new tricks. Plenty were stamping his retirement ticket in recent weeks, but how often do we all have to learn that you just don’t write off champions, especially of Fyfe’s calibre? The team first oriented work he did on Isaac Heney…. we don’t win the game without it.

We could bang on about everyone because it was that type of team performance, but let’s put the cap on the purple pencil and pick it up on the pod.

If you’re not done reminiscing about Saturday, you’re not on your own. So, feel free to join us as we sing the praises of our purple players and prattle on for an hour about that splendid, surely September securing success over the Swans.

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We were all Sarim Akhtar on Saturday. Unfortunately, if only as a coping mechanism, it’s time to somehow Restump Podcast that, double negative intended, catastrophic calamity.

I know it was a morning start time in WA but it wasn’t in Victoria… did we really need to be the dog’s breakfast? They should have already eaten!

At the Restump we always look at every game with a wholesome holistic approach, we try to find balance, we search for the positives, we look for silver linings. There isn’t even a shadow of a slight subtle greyish hue of a line here.

We were simply out-worked, out-muscled, out-thought, out-coached and out-strategised. It wouldn’t surprise us if Champion Data’s analysis showed Sonny Walters was in our best players in the second half!

At some point we have to contemplate the real possibility that our form, or at least our recent form, has a degree of inauthenticity to it. It feels as if there is a lack of integrity in many of our performances that is disguised by our often, opposing team factor driven wins.

For mine the games where we truly showed our capabilities were against Carlton, Port Adelaide and Sydney. Ironically, we lost all three, but it wasn’t due to lack of effort or intensity. Umpire decision, a momentary brain fade and inaccurate kicking respectively, were the cause for the losses. But the fact is, we were genuinely as good as our opponents all day.

On Saturday, admittedly from the cheap seats, it appeared to be a severe lack of application and intent. There was a lethargy in our endeavours. It seemed no one really wanted to do the hard work. We have been trying to increase our outside run and carry, quick ball movement game and it looked spectacular at times when it came off, but everyone wanted to be on the outside.

If it wasn’t the third or fourth type of similar performance we’ve delivered this year, we’d call it an anomaly, rule a line through it and move on. But by the very definition, a bunch of outliers can’t exist.

Quite simply, the Dog’s without Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, the two tall forwards leading their goal kicking, managed their highest score of the year kicking 23 goals against the statistically number one defensive team in the league. It is beyond inexplicable.

If only our goal kickers were as accurate as Jojo’s “Kiss of Death” abilities! His pre-game ‘Losing no Sleep Over’ player this week was Rory Lobb. Yeah, great work Jojo, you’re about 6 and zero!

The Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition has jackpotted for the second successive week after the Captain Alex Pearce was abandoned by the punters. So, there’s a $150 spend at 2 Brothers Foods up for grabs this coming week.

Let’s start the pod and see if we can make heads or tails from Saturday’s debacle to salvage something, anything, from the wreck. We understand if you’re all purpled out but we need some closure before we move on. So, if you’re in despair and struggling for purpose, come along and we’ll all attempt to heal together.

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Our post bye game form isn’t the Dog’s breakfast we perceive and an AM start in WA doesn’t hurt! Should we Lobby the AFL for more byes? Time to Restump Podcast the Saturday morning dog fight.

For some reason we’re all of the belief we’re still in holiday mode or we’re jet lagged when we turn up after the bye and consequently our form isn’t flash. However, we’re misleading ourselves because we’re 8 wins and 7 losses from our 15 post-bye games.

So, we’ve got a 53% post-bye win strike rate which is about 8 percentage points greater than our overall historical win rate of 45%. Does that suggest we’re better coming off the bye?

Fractions and odds and percentages aside, every game is its own bag and that includes tomorrow at Marvel against the Dogs.

After not putting a foot wrong in his two quarters from his last two games as the sub, Corey Wagner unfortunately makes way for the return of Matt Johnson, who is a really good in.

With Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy out of the Bulldogs, maybe we took the opportunity to strengthen the midfield depth?

The Dogs have some quality ins though with Corey Weightman back in since sustaining the arm injury against us 7 games ago. They also have brought back Ed Richards who adds some heat to their midfield in both defensive and offensive manners. And they lose Alex Keith which is a positive for us.

Front and centre on the team strategy white board should be, “avoid playing to Liam Jone’s strengths”. Whoever is on him at any given stage needs to lead him away from the action.

The Dogs were seemingly flying but they got opened up last week by the Lions. Without two of their three tall timber goal kickers, too much pressure fell on to Jamara Ugle-Hagan’s shoulders. Corey Weightman will no doubt alleviate some of that pressure but they’re not the same side without Naughton and Darcy.

This is a very winnable game and it gives us the chance to pt a little mini space between us and those outside the eight if we do grab the four points here.

Jojo couldn’t let another Rory Lobb moment pass quietly so he has apparently gone gimmicky again. He wouldn’t divulge what he’s done but we’ll evidently find out tomorrow before the game.

And if the cost of living is biting, study up and an enter the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition. We have a jackpot so there is $100 spend at 2 Brothers Foods on offer or a $200 spend if you go one of the two specials, Bailey Banfield or Rory Lobb.

Bounce down is not far off so we better get into it. Big second half of the season starts now so feel free to come along for the ride. You’ll learn nothing, you’ll throw 40 minutes away and you might even be lesser for it but what if that isn’t the case? Can you really take that chance?

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And Melbourne thinks it’s the world’s best at lockdowns! Somewhere, probably outside a golf course, there’d be an angry Dan Andrews. Time to Restump Podcast the dismantling of the Dees.

Eighties kids will remember John ‘Hannibal’ Smith saying “I love it when a plan comes together” at the end of the A-Team episodes. It is easy to have visions of Justin Longmuir doing the same at the conclusion of Sunday’s game in Alice Springs.

While you’re not being absolutely honest with yourself if you’re not acknowledging Melbourne’s physical or mental inadequacies on the day or the fact they’ve got some real weaknesses at times, 90-point beltings still have to be earned. However, it was the manner in how we achieved it which was so encouraging and it was the adherence to the system which was confidence boosting.

It was simply a joy to see the back six get unconditional trust. It set the tone for the day, kickstarting the system we want to play, which we got to see in all its glory.

We found the ideal tempo balance, we took the first option and we ran in waves to support. Whether there was a lack of in-your-face pressure from the Dees or not, the forward line showed great functionality and we created efficient mid forward connectivity.

More than anything else on the day though, most importantly, we found our accuracy and that makes life easier for everyone.

Sammy Switkowski just played his career best games. Relentless across the four quarters, he’s now put two superb performances together on the bounce. Is Sammy Switta about to deliver in spades what he has consistently given us in patches? We’re in good shape if he brings that every week from here in.

Welcome Back Nev! Jye Amiss got amongst it early, slotted his first goal, got a shot of confidence in the arm and went on to kick three more, seeing off the accuracy monkey from his back. He teamed up with his tall timber mates, Josh Treacy and Luke Jackson, and together, working cohesively, they easily kicked more than Melbourne’s entire score.

Hayden Young’s signature to the end of 2027 proves to be a great move because his stock continues to sky rocket. We can’t sing Heath Chapman’s praises enough, Jordy Clark is a lock for All Australian and should probably be coated up alongside his captain Alex Pearce.

Was the performance of the Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy combination, otherwise known as team JackArce, the first step to showing the naysayers how it may operate? Let’s not forget Sean Darcy is still way underdone and the bye probably comes at the wrong time for him.

The reality is you can’t leave anyone out for praise. There were simply 23 serious contributors on the day that were all on the same page, all performed their roles and all had an influence on the result.

They can go into the bye now enjoying the well-earned rest knowing they’re in 6th position, knowing JL’s system works and knowing if they bring the endeavour, the intent and the smarts they did Sunday to every remaining game, they’ll be playing finals.

We've got a jackpot in the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition after Hayden Young was overlooked so when it returns in two weeks’ time there will be a $100 spend on offer from 2 Brothers Foods.

Freo’s form has been a difficult read over the last five or six weeks but Sunday’s performance just saw us take a step in the right direction. We’re going to get much tougher and more engaged opponents in the run home but that has to be the base performance.

There are now two weeks off so lets gets this nonsense out of the way. While the negative is there is no Freo footy now for a fortnight… at least the airways will get a

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It should have been 4 points, it was looking likely to be zero points, so we’ll grab the two points and get the hell out of Dodge! Time to Restump Podcast the two-point Pie heist.

Like so many previous occasions, our beloved Fremantle Dockers have left us with mixed feelings. It was a game against a very depleted side that we should have won. It was a game that was looking like we were going to be on the end of a five-goal hiding and yet it was a game we somehow salvaged something from the wreck. Can you be disappointedly grateful?

Were the final seven minutes a case of us finally clicking into gear, or was it Collingwood’s recent and in game adversity catching up with them? It is probably a little of both but does that seven minutes and salvaged two points cloud the reality? It’s a matter of opinion, its open for interpretation and discussion.

We’ve significantly upped our handball game over the last half a dozen weeks but we’re struggling to find the right balance. We hit our season high handball numbers on Friday night, but against a team that thrives on applying pressure, it may not have been the ideal occasion to do so.

With errant and poor decision handballs we nearly sold as many teammates into trouble as Mi Casa Property Boutique sells homes!

Jye Amiss needs some purple love and support. The poor kid looks mentally broken, suffering a serious and bizarre case of the yips. His confidence had taken a beating in recent weeks and upon missing those two shots at goal by a long way, it was shattered. He went into his shell and barely got another touch all day.

One man who is at the opposite end of the scale and usually the opposite end of the ground, cannot put a foot wrong. Captain Alex Pearce did his job down back and then went forward to show them how it’s done up there.

Sometimes you momentarily put results aside to admire and celebrate a very rare moment in this game. Alex Pearce’s goal and his dedication to Cam McCarthy was one such special moment.

We’re precariously placed in 9th. Seven of our remaining twelve games are against current top eight sides, five of them against top four sides. We really could have done with that extra two points on Friday! It’s a tough run home, so we can’t let any more opportunities slip through our purple fingers.

After winning it three times in a row, The Mi Casa Property Boutique competition has turned into “guess how many metres Luke Ryan will get,” so it’s getting a revamp. It is unconfirmed, but apparently the Neighbourhood Watch segment is returning and there will be a lot of the usual repartee to endure.

So, if your cautious optimism is starting to wane and you’re confusingly disappointedly grateful, then you’re amongst likeminded purple people here. Join us as we try to crack the conundrum, unravel the riddle and attempt to put together the pieces of the purple puzzle in this hour of who knows what!

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No one wanted to lose Lachie Schultz but the fan’s reaction at the time was way over the top! Who is offering up a 1st rounder to get him back? Time to Restump Podcast the Friday night Pie fight.

It wasn’t necessarily in a Don Corleone type of manner but Collingwood made us an offer we couldn’t refuse, and they probably didn’t have to!

If only to stoke some retaliatory fire it is worth mentioning, albeit with some cherry picking embellishment, that Lachie whined that he felt disrespected, he cried victim and he packed his bags, took his bat and ball and went home! As we said at the time, it’s disappointing to see him walk out the door but he was never irreplaceable and we’re extremely comfortable replacing him with Collingwood’s first pick this year.

Enough water has gone under the Lachie bridge now so it’s time to bind together and invoke the George Bush’s drum beating war cry, “You’re either with us, or you’re with the Collingwood terrorists.” I know… I was surprised Bush said that as well, but it’s true… take my word for it and don’t look it up. Lachie chose the terrorists so the sympathy time is over!

The Blake Acres back of the head punching Lachie Schultz shenanigans aside, this game is a huge opportunity for us to peg one of the wins back that we shouldn’t have lost recently. Collingwood are travelling ok but now is the time you want to get them, so we have to take advantage of it.

Jordan DeGoey, Tom Mitchell, Jamie Elliot, Will Hoskin-Elliot and Jeremy Howe are all absent. That’s a shedload of talent and experience. Further advantageous for us is the fact they’re playing 2 debutants and a further four players have a total of 15 games between them.

We welcome back Sean Darcy and combined with Luke Jackson, it looks a powerful and versatile combination that should prove far to superior for Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox.

Corey Wagner also makes a well-earned return but we lose Freddy to concussion and unfortunately for Paddy Voss, for team balance and nothing more, he steps aside.

We’re going in as $1.72 favourites and, when you look at the two teams on paper, it is difficult to argue that shouldn’t be the case. But on paper, goal accuracy doesn’t enter the equation! We’ve had two horror weeks in front of the big sticks… hopefully Friday night is the exception to the philosophical rule that things come in threes!

Don’t forget to take a stab in the dark in the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition. It is free to enter and you can win yourself a $50 spend at 2Bros. Look up the competition post on our socials and remember entries close at 5.10pm Friday night.

It’s less than 24 hours until Andy Brayshaw puts a bit of hurt on the back of the Blake Acres head cowardly punching Lachie Schultz, so we better get on with it! If you’re looking to knock off 40 minutes between now and bouncedown… by all means come along for listen but only if you have low expectations.

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You thought covid was contagious! Inaccuritis is a coordination destroying mental contagion, leaving sufferers incapable of performing simple tasks. Time to Restump Podcast the point kicking epidemic.

Call in a priest, this evil presence needs exorcising! Or it may be as simple as tapping David Mundy on the shoulder again and saying, “Dave, come down and show these guys how it’s done.”

The last two weeks we’ve kicked 13 goals 33 behinds. We’ve never been a great goal kicking side but this is beyond anyone’s comprehension! Have we got Zac Dawson down there running goal kicking drills? I mean who is taking all our shots on goal…. Nat Fyfe? (Sorry Fyfey, low blow)

It’s a genuine contagion and when the rot sets in, it sets in. The pressure builds and then every player subsequently taking a shot at goal has the desperation demons in his head.

Jye Amiss’ radar is so far off its almost sinister! We know Nat Fyfe has never been a great kick but he’s lining up 30 metres dead in front and hitting spectators on the wing! And Paddy Voss at the moment, like Crash Davis said in the movie Bull Durham, “couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.”

While the numbers are tragic, there are also great silver lining positives to come out of them.

Accuracy is predominantly the extent of our game problems. While it’s not easily rectifiable, it isn’t an unfixable deficiency. And again, while inaccurate, if you consider the scoreless shots and the out of bounds on the full, we generated 13 scoring shots from sources other than the forwards. It is something that has been pronounced in recent weeks suggesting an intentional move, so we’re developing.

On top of the inaccurate doom and gloom we did go over there, matched and bettered a similar highly defensive game from the Saints, we kept them to 55 points and we came away with a much needed 4 points.

The continual improvement of Matty Johnson coinciding with more midfield time, the goal kicking wingman Jeremy Sharp, Jordan Clark continuing his All-Australian form and the emergence of Brandon Walker are just some more of the positives to come out of the game and reasons to remain upbeat.

But at the minute the inaccuracy is a difficult pill to swallow. We got away with it this week but it cost us in more ways than one last week and will do going forward if we don’t rectify it.

The reality is we’re only 4% from 6th place so, as Rosco always says, “Its never as good or as bad as it seems.”

After going back-to-back in the Mi Casa Property Boutique competition, Luke Ryan has now gotten the most metres in 12 of the total 40 quarters Freo has played this year. He is as safe as the houses the Mi Casa team buy and sell for their clients!

So, with no jackpot to speak of, there’ll be another 2 Brothers Foods $50 spend this week when we come up against Lachie Schultz and his Pies.

Enough of the carry on here, let’s get into the pod to dig deeper into the catastrophic kicking, talk through the mental problems and come to a real solution-based outcome. Who are we kidding… we can only offer more nonsense but come along for the listen anyway.

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It’s the first time in our history we’ve less than 5 indigenous players on the list. But that doesn’t mean 3 isn’t good quality company. Time to Restump Podcast the Saturday night scrap against the Saints.

For a club that is known for its adoption and celebration of indigenous culture and its rich history of numerous indigenous players, we have recently seen a sharp decline in numbers down at the purple Port.

For our entire history leading up to the start of 2024, we have averaged over 7 indigenous players per year and, as mentioned, we’ve never had less than five on our list. However, with the departures of Joel Hamling, Liam Henry, Nathan Wilson and Roy Benning at the end of 2023, Sonny Walters, Alex Pearce and Conrad Williams are carrying the indigenous representation load.

Albeit from across the aisle, we reunite with Ross and say hello to Henry Saturday night in a must win game against the Saints. Our former coach has obviously had enough of his team’s wayward form, swinging the axe, making six significant changes.

Out goes Seb Ross, Liam Stocker, Jack Hayes, Hugo Garcia and the two goals a game forward against Freo, Tim Membrey.

While it appears down at Cockburn central we are going in with an unchanged line up, we do have some interesting emergencies. Will Liam Reidy be a late in to make his debut and give Luke Jackson a chop out in the ruck? Whatever the case, let’s hope all the goal kicking radars got a tune up during the week.

Should be a very close game. Both teams are extremely similar in regards to offensive and defensive numbers and its incredibly difficult to get a genuine handle on the form of both clubs.

The Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained Competition is back for the weekend. A $50 spend from 2 Bros Foods is up for grabs or $100 in the ongoing Bailey Banfield special. Check our social medias Friday for the competition post.

Apparently, the teams that do little to no traveling, think getting across the Nullabor every second week is no big deal because a few guys get to travel in business class. No doubt they’re the same VFL clubs who have complained about having to travel to Marvel stadium!

The remaining fixtures are out and, surprise surprise, we’ve been handed a bunch of dead zone timeslot games beginning WA morning times!

Anyway, plenty to talk about but let’s focus on the task at hand, which is, in a good-natured way, giving Liam a little lip and showing the Lyon no love. The pod isn’t going to preview itself so let’s get into it and look for a path to the four-point bank.

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Seems inaccuracy is contagious! We wanted to prove a point against the Swannies but did we need to prove up 15 of them? Time to Restump Podcast the frustratingly wayward walloping we were handed by the Swans.

I can’t remember being in a game we were in up to our eyeballs, yet simultaneously couldn’t have been further out of. We matched or bettered the classy Swans in nearly every aspect of the game except where it most counts, the scoreboard.

Obviously, it was evident the tragic passing of Cam McCarthy had a severe impact on the group. But it didn’t seem to materially effect on-field performance. Had there been a lethargy or a lack of intensity you’d understandably attribute it to the sad situation. But the players showed little to no signs of such and only stumbled going forward and around the big sticks.

The Swannies excelled in decision making and composure, areas where we were drastically deficient in. They brought a superbly crafted plan to the table that involved shutting down Jordan Clark and curtailing Luke Ryan’s influence and they executed it to perfection.

While many of our scoring opportunities were under pressure and from low percentage positions on the ground, you can’t offer up excuses for simple set shot misses from the likes of Jye Amiss, Sam Switkowski, Freddy and Paddy Voss to name a few.

Caleb Serong couldn’t make the distance of about 45 metres. Fyfe, Amiss, O’Meara and Sharp all had shots on goal that went scoreless.

It was a mental contagion. The rot snowballed into such a state that players began shirking the responsibility. Bailey Banfield had a mark 35 metres out and kicked it 50 metres to Jeremy Sharp in a worse position. Fyfey, who was having a nightmare of a kicking game, was so unwilling to take the kick 25 metres out directly in front, he handballed to a teammate under pressure.

The Swans rightfully should be flag favourites and we did more than enough in almost every measurable category on the ground to beat them. We simply broke down forward of centre, as we so often do against highly competent teams. Missed gettable goals, overuse of the ball forward of centre, poor decision making and that severe lack of mid forward connection and cohesion continues to bring us undone.

Is Luke Ryan keeping an eye on the Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained Competition? He had 13 possessions to ¾ time and then went into overdrive with 13 in the last quarter to almost double his metres gained with 321 in the last quarter. Thommo Thomason took off the $150 jackpot spend from 2Bros with a 245 metres prediction. It’ll be back next week starting from $50 once again.

Enough of this claptrap here! Let’s get into the podcast and dig a little deeper, call in the biomechanists, the shrinks, the podiatrists even and anyone else that can help get to bottom of the wayward goal kicking woes! There are no wrong answers so join us with your suggestions.

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What was the conversation? “Wait a minute, if you’re here and I am here… then who is….?” No worries fellas, JT had it covered! Time to Restump Podcast the trouncing of the Tigers!

Even if it was a wounded, former beast, it was extremely satisfying putting away a side by near on ten goals. It is something we rarely, if ever do so, to bank 9% and the four points… we’ll gladly take that.

The Tigers might be from Tigerland but they aren’t the Tigers of old and in the first half they weren’t very strong or very bold. To be brutally honest, we should have put the game to bed in the first half and all got on the deadly treadlies and wound down.

They got their act together in the third quarter after they had lulled us into a sleepy stupor and they threatened to make a game of it. (Maybe we were on the treadlies, metaphorically speaking) However, we’re a team that can now seem to right the ship on the run and we clicked into gear and put them to the sword. We are though still leaving the door open and who knows what a better opponent may have done.

How good is our predominant left foot, but right foot goal kicking, inside mid going? Hayden Young is out of control inn a good way! And when you’ve got a Caleb Serong going about his top-drawer business, a future captain in Andy Brayshaw and a Matt Johnson who can step inside and belong, the middle is taken care of and it enables us the absurd luxury of having a sub by the name of Fyfe!

Luke Ryan is a speed reader. He’s finished reading a book while others are still looking at the cover. It is as if he can precisely predict the play and put himself in the exact position he needs to be. He along with Jordan Clark would have to be All Australian favourites! They didn’t give the Tiges a look in yesterday.

Up the other end of the ground, there’s a guy who is, in his own words, kicking snags and taking clunks. Josh Treacy has 18 snags to his name he’s now in the top ten in the Coleman. Four goals neat on the weekend… that’s absurd! We don’t kick with that level of accuracy at Fremantle…. who does he think he is!

All in all, we got the result most of us probably thought we would but the game against West Coast a couple of weeks back just sowed a little bit of doubt in our minds. But while we kicked a big score, won by a space and seemed to do it on the bit, the Tigers are genuinely wounded. So, we’ll run with an appropriate Ross Lyon classic, it’s never as good or as bad as it seems.

Caleb Serong was surprisingly friendless in the Mi Casa property Boutique metres gained competition this week and therefore it has jackpotted again. That means there’ll be $150 spend at 2 Bros Foods up for grabs this Friday night when we take on the likely Joel Hamling included, Swans.

Enough waffling on here! So, join us for more waffle as we look at the game in a bit more depth and chat about everything purple.

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I mean, we’re already over there… it’d be negligent to not test the water, wouldn’t it? Let’s get to the nuts and Boltons of it, contracts are transferable! Time to Restump Podcast the upcoming Tigger tussle!

Let’s not call a spade a pointy diggy thing… space in the Tigers’ recovery centre is tighter than the housing market! Tom Lynch, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Dion Prestia, Noah Balta, Jack Graham and Jack Ross are all jostling for rehab real estate, so it is safe to say anyone who plays Richmond at the moment is getting them at the right time.

However, we shouldn’t poke the Tiger with a short stick. As wounded and depleted as they may be, they found a way to devour the Swans in round four without a Jacob Hopper, a Dustin Martin, a Dion Prestia and a Dylan Grimes.

But season 2024 we’re taking down animals like we’re on a game hunting tour. Yes, the eagles escaped our clutches this time around, but we’ve feasted on Crows, Lions, Kangaroos and Dogs. It’s our AFL animal slaughter safari strategy and the Tigers have entered the kill zone.

We’ve made just the one change with the very unlucky Paddy Voss going out and being replaced by Jye Amiss. Paddy didn’t put a foot wrong but he has suffered the consequential desire for team balance.

Richmond have lost Jacob Hopper as mentioned, and they’ve suffered a further hit with Jack Graham succumbing to injury. There are almost 1,000 games of experience from numerous players in the Tiger’s best 23 that they’re missing.

We inexplicably dropped a game against the Eagles that we couldn’t afford and we need to make that back at the Tiger’s expense. They may have some on-field holes to fill but they’ll run out with 11 players possessing a combined 19 premierships. So, it is safe to suggest they have enough quality and experience out there to potentially cause us some concerns.

The Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition has jackpotted. There is a $100 voucher from 2Bros up for grabs and if you opt to chance it in our Bailey Banfield special it could be upped to $200. Get involved on the social media posts.

We’ve played at the MCG just 6 times in the last 3 years for 2 wins and 4 losses. Sunday is the first of just two home and away games at the venue the AFL generously blessed us with so we need to start a winning trend there.

Does Jojo need to apologise? Two weeks ago, he said exactly what Sammy Draper has ridiculously been hauled over the coals for. The question will be asked of him.

If you’ve had enough of this nonsense here then don’t tune into the pod because there are probably shedloads more of it in there. But as we always say at the Restump, lack of ability isn’t an excuse to not attempt to put out better quality nonsense.

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It was a case of the old dog reminding other dogs he still has the tricks! Time to Restump Podcast the much-needed win over the Footscray hounds.

It was the type of win we needed. Proving victorious in a hard fought, tight tussle put to bed any monkey on the back narrative development, surrounding close games. It was a win the players had to have for their own wellbeing, for the betterment of their season and for us fans after last week’s debacle.

Even the staunchest Nat Fyfe supporter would have had doubts that we’d see that type of performance from the champ again. It was a doubting Thomas crushing, never-write-me-off, nostalgic wave causing, vintage Fyfe display, proving a treat for us fans, a nightmare for the Dogs and an incredible and deserved reward for himself.

Let’s not forget his running mate Caleb Serong with his equalling 37 possessions and ridiculous record of 17 clearances. Throw in Andy Brayshaw with his 30 touches and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Dogs players complained we were hogging the ball.

We know our defensive unit is the best in the business but how it overcame the Dog’s forward line with its tall timber…. you just shake your head in disbelief! Sam Darcy, Aaron Naughton, Rory Lobb… apart from Alex Pearce we were walking in the land of the Giants!

Luke Ryan always finds a way, James Aish returned to doing James Aishy stuff, Jordan Clark could be leading the best and fairest and geez…. it was nice to have Chappy back. The balance providing Brandon Walker often unfairly gets heat from fans, but what he brings far outweighs his blues.

There was a lot of razzle dazzle about Fyfey and Serong’s exploits and rightly so, but Clunker Treacy is as big a talking point as there is. 5 contested possessions and 4 contested marks in the final quarter were vital, 3 goals neat for the game…. in the absence of Jye Amiss, he made a statement.

Bailey Banfield made amends for his recent hiccups. Being used in a variety of positions to fix and fill holes he performed admirably and it is probably a week when even his biggest cynics should give him a break and a pat on the back.

Have we found one in Paddy Voss? Have we found another in Cooper Simpson? Both moved well and looked extremely comfortable given they were on debut. Very small sample size but no doubt we all liked what we saw.

Bailey Banfield blew out the dogs and the Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained competition this week! His 171 metres final quarter effort got no love from participants. So, Jojo is doing a jackpot special next week putting up a possible $200 spend at 2 Brothers Foods.

Plenty more to discuss so let’s get into it. You’d like to think there’d be a lot less ranting and a lot more constructive analysis this week, but nobody is going all in on that bet. Let’s dial into the pod and find out if Jojo will even bother to turn up!

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Accusations we tempted the Footy Gods with our overconfidence are unfounded. They tipped Freo by fence panels. Sadly, it’s time to somehow Restump Podcast whatever Saturday night was.

If anyone said they saw Saturday night’s performance and result coming, they’re lying. Biff Tannen armed with his Grays Sports Almanac handbook wouldn’t have bet on West Coast in that game.

We thought we weren’t that club any more. The team that unexpectedly puts in the most bizarre and inexplicable performance. After Saturday night, it is difficult to suggest we aren’t.

Admittedly without Freddy, without Switta, without Coxy and without Amiss we were somewhat undermanned against, really, as full strength an outfit West Coast are likely to have for some time. But it wasn’t who was and wasn’t out there, it was how we did or rather didn’t go about it.

We should have gone into this game five and zero, or at least four and one. Where was the resulting fire? Where was the anger of the two weeks in South Australia that we should have unleashed on West Coast? To the Eagle’s credit they brought and delivered what we didn’t. They monstered us, they intimidated us, they verballed and niggled us and we allowed them to do so.

Harley Reid is a jet. He’s a generational talent and freakish for his age and experience. But while that is the case, he’s a 19 year old kid in his 6th AFL game and we allowed him to physically and verbally bully us!

We weren’t clean with the ball, individually we rapidly descended into self-preservation mode and seemingly, or consequentially, our footy intelligence decreased. We repeatedly made terrible decisions; we were more often than not, standoffish and we were simply destroyed by a team with a substantially greater appetite.

Maybe the extended Gather Round trip had a far greater detrimental impact than we all know? Maybe the compound effect of the Gather Round trip and the loss of Freddy, Switta and Amiss exposed our depth? In all reality we’ve been winning games off the back of our defence. We did raise the point that if they had a rare down day we’d be picked off. Still, no one thought that would be enough to see what the Eagles did to us.

We’ve now destroyed the early work we did setting up our season and at three and three we’ve lost our advantage. We’re back to the pack, run of the mill and fighting for survival! Are we fighting though? That remains to be seen this week against the Dogs.

Some drown their sorrows with alcohol, others choose to comfort eat. For the latter, it would have been a great week to win the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition and tuck into the $50 of 2Bros foods. Deb Albrecht did just that and we hope she remembers that sharing is caring!

I feel like we’ve got so many more questions than answers. So, let’s see if Jojo can even up the ledger and give us a few answers and provide us some direction in life. This was a really tough one to take as the result and performance was all on us, not umpires and not freak circumstances.

Apparently, a problem shared is a problem halved so join us on the pod as we all need to band together and do a shedload of sharing.

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The pent-up anger of the last two weeks, a hunger for points lost and the reuniting of Jackarce! God help the West Coast Eagles. Time to Restump preview Podcast this Saturday’s bird cull!

After erring on the side of caution last week, Sean Darcy is tip top and ready to rock and roll right through anything in blue and gold Saturday evening. We’ll send a wreath to the funeral of those who stumble into his path.

Surprisingly, after just a few touches in the WAFL, Sammy Sturt has been thrown a lifeline. Without Freddy and the injury to Switta, this career saving opportunity has opened up and Sturty needs to grab on and not let go.

We obviously are only jesting but the reality is, it is extremely difficult to not go into this game ultra confident. Last week’s win by West Coast was an improvement, but it is false form in the greater scheme of things. You can imagine the result had Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Dion Prestia, Noah Balta, Dylan Grimes and Tom Lynch actually been out there for the Tiges.

With two outs and two ins it means Neil Erasmus holds his spot. The question is will he be in the starting 22 or will he don the sub vest yet again?

Bailey Banfield judged to be the 3rd best winger in the league with Champion Data. Banfield has been good this year, albeit with a couple of recent pivotal blemishes, but apparently the same crew rate Massimo D’Ambrosio in first spot ahead of Errol Gulden!

We were all on Gaff watch but sadly the treadmill runner gets to remain in the safety of the WAFL. With his contract ending at the close of 2024, we may have just one more opportunity for some retribution for Andy Gaff's indiscretion that has gone unpunished, before he saunters off into the obscurity.

Anyway, whichever way you look at the form of this game Saturday night, the numbers just don’t stack up for the Eagles. The bookies seem to think so as well given they have us priced at $1.14.

In other news it was heartening but not surprising to hear the green cap wearing Jordan Clark sign on for a further three years.

Apparently, you can now belt someone on the field, head to the tribunal, get someone to say you’re a good bloke and it was uncharacteristic behaviour and, hey presto, get your charge downgraded.

The Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition is back for the Derby and Jojo is again putting up the prize from his 2 Brothers Foods company, so make sure you get involved.

If you’re pacing the halls and constantly looking at your watch impatiently waiting for bounce down like us then, feel free to join us twiddling our thumbs as we preview the Freo V the feather weights Saturday night.

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Any longer in South Australia and we’d end up putting our own bodies in the barrels! Time to Restump Podcast the end of the horrendous two weeks in bandit riddled Adelaide.

We should be strutting out of South Australia with two big wins and eight fat points, sitting pretty near the top of the ladder with all but a finals campaign berth in the bag!

But no, we’ve spent two weeks getting done over by bandits and now we’re hitch-hiking home back to WA with nothing to show for it…. except Bailey Banfield who has a Zak Butters imprinted lump on his head!

We still weren’t over the Carlton debacle from the previous week and we end up with another case of the Blues a week later against Port Adelaide! We have to look where we put our feet and stop standing on rugs that can be pulled out from under us!

To be real, we were robbed against the Blues but we’ve only really got ourselves to blame for the snatching of Saturday night defeat from the jaws of victory. A combination of mistakes, lack of composure and a serious inability to score brought us undone. We did what we always do, and that is leaving the door open for the opposition to roll us. Port Adelaide cased the joint, got their foot in the door and then lifted the four points from right under our noses.

Yes, Bailey Banfield made a couple of blunders kicking a couple out of bounds on the full, as did Matty Johnson. But if we’re singling out people then Sammy Switkowski should’ve nailed his shot just prior to ¾ time and Caleb Serong should have done better on his gettable goal. No one is getting a pass but there are many moments that should have had us in a much better position leading up to the last two minutes of the game.

It’s becoming apparent we need to find more avenues to score. Prominent teams are getting goals from their midfield and it is something we rarely achieve. Consequently, with our forward line often malfunctioning, our fortunes are unfairly far too dependent on our magnificent defensive unit.

All Australian Alex Pearce is possessed, Luke Ryan can read opponent’s minds and Josh Treacy could catch a slippery eel in an oil slick with his bare hands! We just need a few others to climb on board.

However, if we can console ourselves by taking a momentary bigger picture view, we’ve just run two, probably top four to top six, teams to the wire and all but beaten them.

Sean Darcy is due to return, Freddy is not far away and a little increase in forward craft and cohesion and a goal or two from the mids and we’re off to the serious races.

The Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition is getting traction and it’ll be back for the Derby this week so study up.

It’s been a long painful two weeks in South Australia so let’s wrap up what was our final game there for the year. If, like us, you’re keen to extract the positives, bury the SA saga and move on, then by all means grab a shovel, join us and dig in.

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Something we didn’t know about Tommy Emmett…. apparently, he’s an avid reader! Time to Restump Podcast the Purple versus Port parade Saturday.

After last week’s shenanigans, which still isn’t sitting well with us, we need to focus and pull the four points against Port to get out of the two-week South Australia stint with something to show.

Unfortunately, Sean Darcy didn’t get up for the game as his return would have seen him reunite with Luke Jackson to deliver a history book worthy ruck dominance! However, while Ivan Soldo has been good for the Power, did we take a bit of a gander into Port Adelaide’s ruck stocks, realise they don’t really have a second ruck and say…. “Hey Darce, give yourself an extra week.”

Michael Frederick is a big loss, especially with half an injury cloud hanging over Sam Switkowski. His replacement, Neil Erasmus makes his way into the side to probably don the sub vest.

Over at Port Jeremy Finlayson is unbelievably out for 3 weeks for saying mean words and potentially hurting someone’s feelings because the sticks and stones policy has somehow become irrelevant! Injured stalwart Travis Boak also takes a spell on the sidelines which we’re not too disappointed about.

They’re two big outs that will make the job a touch easier but with Ollie Wines and hard nut Sam Powell-Pepper coming in, they’re comparable replacements.

Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall and the returned Mitch Georgiades up front are a pretty big challenge but we’ll back our defensive unit in all day.

The midfield will be a big watch in itself. Connor Rozee, Zac Buttters, Ollie, Jason Horne Francis up against Nat Fyfe, Andy Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden young. Whoever gets the better of it in the middle might decide the contest.

Let’s also keep a close check on Dan Houston and Kane Farrell and not let them into space with the ball anywhere within about 60 metres of goal!

Can’t wait for this one. Just quietly as good as Port Adelaide is, when you look deeper into it, I can’t help but think their form is a little false, or rather distorted. Consequently, I’m slightly leaning towards the thinking that we’re a better chance than the tipsters and bookies are suggesting.

Don’t forget to throw an entry in the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition. Go to the Restump facebook, twitter or Instagram page and enter under the competition post. Its free to enter and a $50 2brothers foods voucher is up for grabs, possibly supersized to $100.

Count down to bounce down is on so let’s get into the pod, into the numbers and try to assess the game in more depth. If you’ve nothing better to do on a Friday night than listen to us, you need to have a good look at what you’re doing with your life!

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When will the flat feeling end? Blame whoever you like but Saturday’s shenanigans have Jack Newnes’ conspiratorial finger prints all over it. Time to therapeutically Restump Podcast the blatant broad daylight heist!

Yes, we know, if Josh Treacy takes that mark, we probably win the game but I’m not ready to hear that! Yes, you can tell us the plenty of ifs, buts, maybes and woulda, shoulda couldas…. but what’s your point! Let us grieve in peace and, for now, focus all our blame energy on anything other than purple!

The reality is, remove the last minute and a half of the game and we’re staring down the barrel of an overwhelming shedload of positives. That was arguably one of the tougher tests we’ll have this year and, apart from the result, we passed with flying colours…. it was the flying fluoro green colours that were the problem.

We strangled Carlton all day making their task incredibly difficult. It was a rare occurrence when they didn’t have to kick to contest and they simply struggled to get their game going. Unfortunately, though as far as our scoreboard damage goes, we still leave the door open for opponents which, on this occasion, came back to bite us.

He’s been building in recent weeks and on Saturday Jeremy Sharp had a monster. His continual run to space to provide an option and his subsequent ball use is a sight for sore purple eyes, not seen since the Ed Langdon / Brad Hill days!

Tommy Emmett has been reading the Josh Carr playbook. He’s surely having team meetings with Josh, Crowley and Hayden Ballantyne and we’re just loving it.

Jordan Clark is in super-duper hot form and it looks like continuing. His communicative manner and on field observations are absolutely on point.

Is the Fyfe aerial work returning? While Jojo wasn’t enthused by it, I’m of the opinion he had a phenomenal game and looks to be building. His presence out there is a luxury we can’t afford to lose so let’s hope he stays fit and healthy.

We could go on and on but let’s wrap it up here and continue it on the pod. Jojo has plenty of explaining to do regarding his preview pod comments and we had our first winner in the Mi Casa Property Boutique metres gained competition. Congrats to Vince Costantino.

We’re already a day late and there is at least two shedloads to get through so we better get on with it. If you’re looking for that non-pharmaceutical purple therapeutic pick me up, you’ve come to the right place as we’ve got the good gear at bargain basement prices.

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We’re unbeaten but we’re about to face our toughest test yet…. 2 weeks in Adelaide! Oh, and we’re playing the Blues tomorrow as well. Time to Restump preview podcast the Carlton clash in Crow country.

It’s Gather Round and unless you’ve gone to South Australia to enjoy the festival of footy, it means absolutely Bo Diddley to everyone else. However, it can have its positives, like playing an inform Carlton at a neutral ground rather than on their home deck.

Whether we like to believe it or not Carlton sort of looks real-deal-ish this year. They appear very good down the spine and they’ve added, I hate to use the term x-factor-ish so lets say a bit of spark into the mix.

We go in with an unchanged line up for the third successive week and that is a very rare feat. The irony is though remaining unchanged is out of necessity and not by choice. Given the opponents tomorrow, we’d love to have a McDonald or a Cox find their way in this week…. or a Hamling!

However, the reality to date is that Carlton beat Brisbane by a point, Richmond by 5 points and North Melb by plenty. We beat Brisbane by 4 goals and North by about the same. So, we have each played the same two sides and retrieved similar results. Are they strong stackable form lines? We’ll find out Saturday arvo.

The Blues though are superior to us in goal accuracy and inside 50s. While we generate the same scoring shots, Carlton gets the ball inside their 50 metre arc on average 11 more times than us and they convert their scoring shots, going at 67% to our 56%. They kick almost 3 goals per game more than us from the same opportunities.

Our defence has done remarkable things in the first 3 games, but with our current lack of talls down there, could this be the week Carlton, and more specifically Charlie and Harry, make use of that 11 extra inside 50s? We need an enhanced defensive effort from the mids and the forwards to cut off their supply and help our defenders out.

Either that or…. does anyone have Griff’s number?

Do we attempt to get under the skin of the Blues and into their heads by going after Adam Cerra with the niggle? Given how good a friend he seems to be to many of the Docker boys, it is difficult to see them meaningfully doing so. But white line fever…. do what it takes… leave your friendships at the gate mentality, shouldn’t be beyond us!

We’re testing the competitive waters this week launching the Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres gained competition. So, while it may go pear shaped, tune in to the pod to find out what its about and what you can win. And remember if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, give the team at Mi Casa a call and tell them you’re from The Restump Podcast. We appreciate you supporting the people that support us and we’ll support you with a little something extra if you do.

Jojo’s promise that he has ‘turned the corner’ seems to be holding up at the moment so let’s get the preview pod on the road before he decides to fire up the junket jet and head off on what would be holiday number 15 this year.

So, join us as we try and pick apart the Blues and look for a weakness to exploit in the hope of starting the season four and zero for just the second time in our history.

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The Captain deserves his own personal choir to continually sing his praises. Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s incredibly dominant performance against the Crows.

Sure, it wasn’t exactly a game for the ages and it wouldn’t be one for the promotional video. But amongst the often fumbling, double grabbing and wayward kicking exhibition, there were fleeting passages of pure art.

There is a feverish defence first approach we’re rolling out and it is paying lucrative dividends. It has us ranked 1st in defence in the league as we’re letting just 60 points on average kicked against us.

Alex Pearce made Taylor Walker feel his age, dictating the terms down back with and without the ball. Luke Ryan had, at the risk of sounding flippant, another Luke Ryan day and Jordan Clark is continuing his high-end form. Brandon Walker had a couple of hurts put on him and a poke in the eye and Joshy Draper is getting a boat load of confidence each week.

Hayden Young put in a monster, having his career best game and with Caleb Serong being well held early on, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Have we finally found our winger? If you’d watched Jeremy Sharp at the Gold Coast in 2021 and 2022 it probably isn’t too surprising to see what he’s doing here. But a wingman performing the role and getting back to help the defenders… that’s money right there.

Josh Treacy deserves a special mention. He’s being asked to do a power of work, up forward, in the ruck and around the ground and he has responded to the challenge.

Up forward Matty Taberner is close to kicking a handful, Freddy and Switta are applying pressure, Bailey Banfield is earning his keep while Jye Amiss had a rare day where the radar was off.

However, Sonny Walters at 33 years old wound the clock back and had a monumental impact on the game with his selfless team first manner. His uncharacteristic wayward kicking saw him with 2 goals 4, no doubt something that would have kept him awake Friday night.

3 and zip to start the year puts us well and truly on track and placing our 2024 destiny in our own hands. Have we been seriously tested yet though? If only so we remain grounded in reality, we can point out that Brisbane has some issues, North are North and the Crows aren’t exactly travelling. You can only beat who you’re playing though and we’ve done that so far. However, you get the feeling our true test comes this week when we meet the Blue Cerras.

We’re open to ideas on how the Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained competition could work so by all means join the think tank and send us your thoughts.

Finally, Jojo tells us he’s turned the corner and back on top of things so we should see some fluency and continuity at The Restump from here on in. However, he has some work to do to win the trust back!

I’ve banged on too long here so, if your grass has grown, your sock draw is tidy and your painted walls have dried…. by all means throw away an hour on our purple gibberish.

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How’s that saying go? “Any more laid-back, he’d be horizontal.” What a ridiculously magnificent game from the obvious deck chair enthusiast. Time to Restump Podcast the sleepy start victory over the Kangas.

Did the 10.40am WA time start throw their mindsets and bodies out? Were they jet lagged? The intensity we ended with against the Lions wasn’t what we started with against the Kangas.

As a collective we seemed a stand-offish early on and slow to react and the Roos’ top end young talent, specifically Harry Sheezel and Colby McKercher, took full advantage and cut us to purple ribbons. In the blink of an eye, we were 30 points down before we snapped out of our daze.

However, led by Luke Jackson, who was ironically jumping over Kangaroos to take marks, and Caleb Serong getting kangaroo leather poisoning, we soon saw shades of the team that tamed the Lions.

A run of nine goals straight turned the contest on its head as we took the lead and largely put the result beyond doubt at 3/4 quarter time. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing as the Roos raised a second effort in the final term, giving us a scare but not enough to steal the points.

It doesn’t sound like there is any room left on the Luke Jackson bandwagon and, oddly enough, it is seemingly being occupied by his former critics. Jackson’s game on Saturday was simply astonishing.

Andy Brayshaw got the steel wool out and got rid of the early game rust. After quarter time he showed again he’s back to his red hot 2022 pivotal moment, game changing and future captaincy form.

Are we in danger of becoming flippant about Caleb Serong’s performances? He’s in the set and forget category. There is no fluctuation in his form, its constantly top drawer.

With Mi Casa Property Boutique joining us, we’re thinking about starting a Mi Casa Property Boutique Metres Gained competition. Can it get off the ground? Does it have legs?

We’re two games in, we’re in better shape than we have been since 2015, Collingwood is zero and three, everything is coming up millhouse and predictably Jojo is jetting off on his first in season holiday for the year. His absence and inattention to detail has allowed the Chief to sneak in and torture us all with another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

We’ll gladly bank the four points and take up residence in 5th on the ladder, but we can’t afford too many more of these lethargic starts. We won’t get away with them against a GWS, Sydney or maybe even an Adelaide this week.

So, join us as we get out the Luke Jackson deckchairs, get way ahead of ourselves, throw rationality and balance out the window and refer to ourselves as the comeback kings in this hour of celebratory purple nonsense.

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Strikingly similar features, same positions, same styles and both number 37. Welcome Josh Draper-Johnson. Time to Restump Podcast the Kangas clash at 10.45am Saturday morning, sponsored by Cornflakes!

The horrendous loss to North Melbourne in round two in 2023 was one to forget. However, we should remember philosopher George Santayana’s famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” So, while we’re warm favourites, we shouldn’t take the Kangas lightly. In fact, we’re not a club that is entitled to take any opponent lightly.

Having said all that, when you look at the lists on paper and the proposed match ups… it is difficult not being over-confident. Even with our severe injury toll, you kind of think a repeat of last week’s pressure against the Lions will get the job done against the Kangas.

It is great to see our unofficial father-son prospect, Josh Draper, get a gig. In the preseason you’d swear he was Michael Johnson reborn. Brandon Walker is a very welcomed return and the insertion of some experience in the form of Jaegar O’Meara surely won’t go astray.

Admittedly through necessity and no real fault of his own, Matty Tabs gets another opportunity. With Paddy Voss waiting on the sidelines, Tab’s surely knows he has to make every post a winner.

The Kangas were decent in patches against the highly talented Giants last week and they welcome back two pretty handy types. Jy Simpkin goes back into their midfield after that horrific concussion and they’ll be keen to see the steady and reliable Luke McDonald assist their somewhat undermanned defence.

Plenty of other goings on so given our game starts at 10.45am Saturday morning we better get on with it! There aren’t too many hours between now and game time but if you’re looking to waste one, we’ll kill it for you.

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After the performance yesterday, please spare a thought for the loud coach and captain critics, they’d be doing it a bit tough. Time to Restump Podcast the confidence boosting season opener over the Lions.

What a magnificent performance to get over the Lions and set the season up on the right note. There were shades of 2022 about the defence first pressure display. It wasn’t pretty and the skills weren’t pristine but there was a cohesion, a buy in and a body on the line manner that has been missing.

The captain Alex Pearce played a magnificent Captain’s game and, while you could probably say it about a number of players on the day, we may not get that emphatic win without his performance.

Serong was ridiculous, Nat Fyfe… please stay fit and healthy and it was vintage 2022 Andy Brayhaw. Treacy was cracking skulls, Sonny was throwing himself around like a 20-year-old, Switta was conjuring up his rare Switta magic and then Jye put the polish on it all.

We could go on and on…. few, if any players are unmentionable in regards to their contributions yesterday.

Tragically the host of injuries brought us back down to earth. Karl Worner was grabbing his opportunity before getting concussed, Oscar McDonald was doing a wonderful job before his seemingly serious knee and the man so vital to us, Brennan Cox, is done for two thirds of the season with that horrendous hammy.

It’s taken some gloss off the win and it presents a bunch of challenges for the injured players themselves and the team going forward.

The contracted extended Justin Longmuir critics will be conspicuously quiet, but they’ll be keeping their bitter powder dry, ready to reappear at the first sign of a loss.

The carnage from yesterday’s game has created a shedload of mixed emotions, but through adversity comes opportunity. Plenty to unpack, work through and celebrate so let’s get into it all in greater depth on the pod.

As always if, like us, you subscribe to the philosophy that too much purple prattle is never enough, then you’ve come to the right place. Come along, get involved and join us in the purple pool, the water is warm.

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What’s going on at that Mineral Resources Park? It’s a mine site of a ground and now we’ve got Sean Darcy on his 4-week Fifo spell! Time to Restump Podcast everything that’s as purple as Darce’s knee!

You don’t want any player getting injured at all, but especially on the eve of a season. And given how vital it is we get off to a positive start this year, we couldn’t afford to lose part of the Jackarce combo. Luke Jackson will cover Darcy but it robs us of Luke Jackson magic up forward.

Speaking of injuries, sadly Corey Wagner is done for possibly a third of the season and how long Disco Nathan is out is anyone’s guess! But on the more positive side, Brennan Cox and Freddy are pushing for round one and the Qatar sorcery has seemingly done Heath Chapman no end of good.

The pressure is already on Justin Longmuir and the season hasn’t even begun. Such is the irrational world of fanatical sport. What constitutes an acceptable season performance? Is it finals? If so, can he survive should we miss the top eight? Can the club stand up to the external pressure and noise if they then still think he's the man for the job?

The Chief is back on Sammy Switkowski’s case and is asking the question, could Switta be more productive in a semi-foreign role?

We all know ‘league equalization’ is an AFL buzz term with no meaningful substance but after finishing 14th in 2023, did we get a little torched with our draw this year? Or maybe the nerves creeping in for us fans is causing us to subconsciously grasp at pre-determined reason for failure straws!

Wait a minute… that’s loser talk! Let’s nip that defeatist attitude talk in the bud right now and amp up the positive affirmations!

All that and no doubt plenty more to get through. So, as Jojo has finally decided to turn up… let’s strike while the iron is hot before his less than disciplined pre-season interruptions continue.

So, in the highly unlikely event you’ve got nothing better to do and you can’t suddenly make other arrangements, by all means pull up a pew, plug in and partake in the perpetuation of our purple prattle.

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It’s been a long preseason and we’re all a tad rusty. But we can’t wait to see how the Emmett bros, who Will Schofield introduced us to last Saturday, go this year. Let’s focus and get the 2024 Restump Podcast on track.

There was, and in some sectors still is, a lot of doom and gloom around Freo’s chances this year (hello Kingy) but unsurprisingly, as we edge closer to round one, the expectational tide is starting to turn.

Maybe it is just my eternally optimistic nature but I’d go as far as to say the term ‘anomaly’ has been negligently overlooked. It has been absent in the external conversations and assessments of Fremantle’s 2023 season.

There seems a different attitude and a different mindset this preseason and it appears they returned in better nick this year than they did the same time last year. The youngsters have another year and a preseason under their belts, Andy Brayshaw looks like he’s about to return to his 2022 best and while praying to any and all gods that he holds together, Nat Fyfe is showing why he is still a vital cog in the purple wheel.

There were good signs regarding the ball movement last Saturday but… we weren’t exactly inconvenienced or hampered in our endeavours. So, we’ll momentarily reserve judgement…

However, on what we’ve seen so far, I can’t recall hearing…. “Gee we miss those Lachie and Liam guys and that Hamling bloke.”

Setting a horrible Restump example, Jojo has been preoccupied and absent the entire preseason boarding private jets on his own national Taylor Swift concert going tour! But he assures us he’s back and got his head in the game. However, the best he could do was promise to try and cut down the in season European holidays.

Is Simon Garlic pivoting from the five-year strategic plan to the ten year extra breathing space project? Is the “break out year” label a dangerous prediction? And is there an early episode of the Neighbourhood Watch? God, we hope not!

Bucket loads to get through so let’s get season 2024 underway. If you join us, please note the legal disclaimer that it will most probably be another hour of your life wasted and we can offer no refunds!

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It’s been a great, old fashioned, hot sand feet burning, car seatbelt buckle branding summer! And as we desperately need him this year, we’re hoping it’s also the Summer of Sam. Time for the Restump Podcast return.

January and we’re talking footy? It’s a tad confusing but we won the bat flip, we’ve elected to serve and we’ll kick with the wind, to the right of screen. It feels a bit Twelfth Man-ish… “Pakistan are going to kick off? What ‘effin’ game are we playing here?”

Like most years, the external expectations are high. However, there seems to be a lot of doom and gloom about Freo’s prospects this year obviously based on season 2023. Happy to say we don’t share that sentiment. Sure, the current few injuries to Luke Ryan, Sammy Switkowski and Brennan Cox aren’t ideal but they don’t appear overly serious.

In this late January return podcast, we ask where will the necessary improvement come from this year? Are there any players under serious pressure? Is coach JL under the pump or is it the trashy traditional media going earlier than usual?

The Chief is not suggesting any serial killer accusation vibes but wants to talk the Summer of Sam Switkowski. 27 years of age, just 68 games over 6 years. We desperately need not only a full season out of him, but a career best one as well.

After successfully seeing David Mundy off, attempting to trade Sonny to the Suns and calling for Fyfe’s finale …. does Jojo have concerns over the Captain’s future?

There's a groundswell of support building for the return of a fit Matthew Taberner and when you take a step back and look at it from different angles, you can see the reasons why.

Is Fyfe going to beat the old man battered and bruised body odds and hold together? The old dog still has his tricks if the arthritic body allows him to perform them.

Did Joel Hamling two-face us? Full of gratitude for Freo on his way out but amongst the hi-brow Sydney sect he suddenly decided he was disrespected.

Despite Mrs Corbet keeping the boys well fed with homemade ‘yoyo melting moments,’ they are back in better shape than this time 12 months ago, they’re a year older and they’ve got another season and pre-season under their belts. So as far as we’re currently concerned…. off with your heads, you defeatist doom-mongers!

We’re up, we’re arked up, revved up, probably a little too hyped up… possibly overstepping the mark and giving away free hits, but offloading the nervous and excited energies is what pre-pre-season is for.

So much to discuss so join us for the first Restump Podcast episode for 2024. Roll up your blinds and pull back your curtains because the premiership window is only just starting to open!

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Going into the draft with very few bullets to use, you’d have to be pleased with what Wallsy and the gang have picked off? Time to belatedly Restump Podcast our 2023 draft results.

So, the draft dust has now settled! Unless you’re the eternal pessimist, surely, you’re keen on the decent handful of new Dockers it has revealed. And if that doesn’t float your boat, you have to give the club credit for reducing the risk and avoiding anyone named Lachie.

The first purple cab off the rank, Cooper Simpson, an inside outside speedy line breaking goal kicking midfielder. Was the thought of a winger front and centre in the minds of the Freo drafting crew when they pick traded up the order to secure Cooper at 35?

Half a dozen picks later the 200cm defender Ollie Murphy joined his mate Cooper Simpson as they shared a cab to Freo. A lot of chatter that Ollie should have gone first round and that Freo should be charged for stealing… but it’s all inconsequential now.

Safe to say the most surprised and thrilled draftee was jumping Jack Delean. At pick 60 the forward from South Australia must have been losing hope of getting onto a list. Then the purple hand was extended and all hell broke loose! If you listen carefully, you can still hear Mrs. Delean’s lingering screams of excitement!

We then put the cue in the rack until the following day.

The rookie draft is where we excel! Antoni Grover, Roger Hayden, Aaron Sandilands, Paul Duffield, Matt de Boer, Michael Barlow, Lee Spur, Matthew Taberner, Ethan Hughes, Bailey Banfield, Josh Treacy are some of the ridiculously great Fremantle names that have come from our rookie drafting skills. Dropped pick 5 Wednesday on the 96kg 18-year-old ruck / forward Odin Jones…. it’s safe to say he’s in great company.

We’ll go through them in a bit more depth and we’ll run the eyes over the entire draft to see if anything stood out. In other news, preseason training has amped up but sadly Sebit Kuek is about to join the long-term injury list alongside Josh Corbett.

We’ll do our best to find out where Jojo has been swanning about and who he has been hobnobbing with the last week and why he didn’t show for a draft night podcast.

So, if you’ve got too much free time and you decide to spend 60 minutes of it on our nonsense…. all we can say is thank you, but… you’re too generous and you’re severely undervaluing your time!

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“Best club and supporter base and most passionate fans in the AFL. It was the incentive to come to Collingwood.” Is Lachie being a little too Lobb-like? Time to Restump Podcast that and whatever we can scratch up and masquerade as Freo content.

We’ve closed the door on the Lachie Shultz love-fest. Sure, his interview at Collingwood was probably edited with cherry pickings but that is not getting in the way of a villainous narrative. He’s not exactly dead to us but he’s off the Christmas card list and almost in the Rory Lobb basket!

Fixtures are starting to leak out. Is there anything the AFL doesn’t milk dry? We’ve got a tough home game against Brissie to kick things off and we’re off to the Northern Territory later in the year.

Zero round? Is there a potential the AFL is biting off its nose to spite its face? Is it watering down the spectacle and occasion of the traditional round one?

The strategic plan… how are we actually travelling? Have we deviated from where they thought we would be? Can we still tick off the boxes with two years to run?

From a wider, all-encompassing perspective, what is the feeling of the fans about the current Fremantle club? Do fans feel part of the club? Is there that deep emotional tie or are there degrees of separation?

Oscar McDonald has joined the purple and Jeremy Sharp looks like he’s days away from doing the same. Handy gets for no cost.

Josh Corbett is done for 2024 after a hip injury that came with little to no detail. The Chief has been some digging around to try and find out what actually happened to Ronnie Corbett.

Bailey Banfield got engaged after getting his beautiful partner to say yes. We couldn’t be happier for him but we’re disappointed he didn’t get down on one knee wearing the sub vest.

So, there’s all of that and no doubt plenty more of the stuff no one asked for or will benefit from!

Are we podcasting anything truly enlightening? Probably not! But hey… the bottom of the content barrel isn’t going to scrape itself! So, if you’ve set the listening bar low, then join us as we try and inject some much-needed purple nonsense into the offseason airways!

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Deals done early, seemingly little conjecture… it kind of feels like there might be something cooking. Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s quiet trade week update.

Sure, Belly said we’re now looking to the draft but Wallsy also said we’re in for a quiet trade week! We’re armed with a rich bag of future picks, are they just keeping their cards close to their chest or is there a twist in the purple trade week tail?

Well Liam Henry is now a Saint and Lachie Schultz a Pie. There was a lot of shouting that we got stooged by the Saints and we took massive unders for Liam. Oddly enough much of the shouting came from the same folk who all year said he wasn’t worth a ham sandwich.

The Saints future second round pick does seem very compensatory light, but Liam put half a season of big runs on the board. Is that plus potential and improvement worth more than the currency received? Oh and yeah thanks Hawthorn for not giving us some little leverage by not entering the Henry negotiation! We tried to help you out with Brockman…. But no love back the other way?

While we may have gotten clipped on the Henry trade, the roles were reversed in the Lachie Schultz deal. Collingwood parted with their pick 34 this year and their first rounder next year. We’d all prefer Schultzy stayed but that sort of package does soften the blow. In fact, you could almost argue that even if Schultzy wanted to stay and the Pies threw that deal on the table…. you’re having the discussion!

So far this trade period Joel Hamling has headed to Sydney, Liam Henry to the Saints and Lachie Schultz to the Pies. It currently leaves us with picks 34, 46, 60 and 64 in this year’s draft while we’ve got a massive 3 first round picks, one second, one third and one fourth round pick in 2024.

If this is a quiet trade week in Wallsy world, there wouldn’t be enough trade period days for us if Wallsy said we’re going to be pretty active!

Looks like Brennan Cox got on with the job and with his lovely partner Keah, they have produced us a future father son pick!

Two days of the overblown, overhyped and dramatically delivered meat market to go. Are we done? Are we now unpacking our draft picks and putting them on the shelves…. Or is Wallsy and co just keeping them warm for one last 2023 hurrah?

As if there isn’t enough hysterical nonsense in the AFL airways at the moment but we’re believers in that too much hysterical purple nonsense is never enough. So, if you’re a member of that club, by all means join us. And we’re not the gate keepers of opinion so feel free to throw yours in the mix.

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Seems to be a fair bit of angst directed at the club for some reason, but hey, don’t shooter the messenger! Time to Restump Podcast the latest trade week nonsense.

There is no doubt Lachie Schultz is a loss and we’d all rather he stayed but the level of angst and anger towards the club and Peter Bell is misplaced. No disrespect to Lachie Schultz intended, but it’s as if its Caleb Serong or Hayden Young who has opted to leave!

We get it, footy is an emotional opinion-based business and all views are welcomed and entitled to be presented. But talk of culture issues and mentions of player exodus just seems so wide of the mark.

Could it be the club is doing something we have never done before? Is it showing ruthlessness in its pursuit of success? Understandably, cutting deep and holding its nerve to deliberately go after genuine sustainable success is a foreign policy to us, but it takes some courage to implement it.

If there were a culture problem at Freo, we wouldn’t have the rich deep vein of players we do and they wouldn’t have committed to the deals they have.

On that note it seems unlikely Freo entering the Tyler Brockman chat is for anything other than a mutually beneficial tactic with Hawthorn. Tyler Brockman, despite his ability and upside, doesn’t seem the type of player we would suddenly be interested in, especially as he isn’t like for the like with Lachie Schultz.

We've lost a Lachie Weller and a Lachie Neale.... we can lose a Lachie Schultz standing on our heads with one arm tied behind our backs.

So, the week goes on and in Wallsy world, it’s just getting quieter and quieter for Fremantle! We’ve chipped in with our two cents worth so far but even at that it’s debatable anyone is getting listening value for money. But hey, feel free to come along for the ride and don’t be shy in getting involved.

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There are many ways to the poor house but our annual Restump Podcast Buy Sell Hold investment report will probably get you there the fastest.

It’s been a turbulent time in the Freo economy over the last twelve months. Does the overall regression re-determine individual player values? Have their 2023 performances changed investor sentiment? Has panic selling set in or are we doubling down and opportunistically buying the dip?

It is probably safe to say its fortunate that we’re using fictitious funds and making unaccountable investments because we imagine the otherwise resulting financial books may be under a fair bit of stress. That said, we’d probably be in possession of substantial tax losses for future profits to be written off against.

Does Brandon Walker’s injury heighten risk and lessen his value? With minimal exposure and little to really get excited about, has Josh Corbett’s value held or diminished? Is Lachie Schultz at full market value? What’s the sentiment on Switta? Are the 2022 Sammy Sturt sellers scrambling, having to pay up for stock? Can anyone afford Caleb Serong or Hayden Young stock? All these financial questions and many more!

We’ll also cover the “quiet” trade period that has ironically started with a bang! The departure of Joel Hamling, the strategic pick swaps and the shock news from Lachie Schultz wanting to join the Pies.

So come along for the conversation as we cover the current news and go over each Freo player on the list, review their seasons and apply our individual investment recommendations in our annual lengthy Buy Hold Sell report podcast episode.

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Seems North didn’t need to Twist the AFL’s arm too hard. Has the policy crossed over from equalisation to an equitable model? It may just be that us Freo folk still haven’t gotten over our limited league entry concessions! Time to Restump Podcast all the goings on.

Former Freo man Lachie Neale joined Nat Fyfe in the very elite group of dual brownlow medal winners. Sure, he may have snuck 3 votes when he probably shouldn’t have but like the pre-hotspot era, sometimes you snick it and survive, sometimes you miss it and you’re given out. You can admire Lachie Neale’s achievements and simultaneously spare a thought for the Bont.

Lachie is a magnificent player and a deserving winner…. and just maybe that is what the West Australian should focus on rather than drag Freo into it and play the tabloid clickbait headline game.

Caleb Serong’s stella year continued with his 24 votes, taking 36% of Fremantle’s votes. Had the team won a few more games we may well have been celebrating Freo’s second brownlow medalist.

In other great news Brennan Cox has been locked away until 2030 which pretty much makes him a Docker for life. Lukey Ryan can now rest easy his best mate is staying put.

Jojo suggests its time to dismantle and rebuild the numerous trade, NGA eligibility, father son and free agency compensatory pick systems? The add-ons and amendments over the years have made it clunky, tricky to navigate and in some aspects open to manipulation.

It’s the off season so we’re having a bit of fun with fake trades to be discussed and we kick off the one football related and one non-football related questions we’re asking listeners to send in.

So, with no Freo footy in the finals you may be looking for something to rattle around in your head. If so, and you’ve exhausted all other options, here is an hour of relative nonsense to help you pass the peak hour traffic time.

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We must strengthen the Ubulus and upper Dorsinus muscles if we want to be kind of a big deal. Head anchorman JL is leading by example challenging the boys to come back in tip top shape. Time to Restump Podcast all the goings on in purple.

The season that promised so much delivered little but, in review, there was a lot to take out of it in a positive sense. Wins away from home against quality opposition will do a group of kids no end of good.

Getting 20+ games into and 40+ goals out of Jye Amiss was a remarkable feat. Luke Jackson has surely put his doubters to bed, Hayden Young into the midfield paid big dividends and the unearthing of Tommy Emmett surely has us all waiting with anticipation for season 2024.

Did we turn up to preseason in less that good nick? We’ll never definitively know but having made fitness references throughout the year and then emphatically asking for the boys to come back in better shape this year, JL said as much.

There were no surprises Doig Medal night as Caleb Serong added the 2023 Doig medal to his 2020 Beacon award. The rest of the night was fairly predictable but we’ll check in and see if Jojo saw anything of note. The Chief spent his time reviewing the red-carpet arrivals.

Sadly, the news we feared was coming, arrived. Liam Henry is on the move informing the club of his hopes to join Ross the Boss Lyon and the Sainters. It's disappointing on many fronts but none more so than the fact we’re once again wing deficient.

The purple wings, or rather the absence of talented and competent wingers, has been a huge problem since Brad Hill and Ed Langdon both departed at the end of 2019. Does this open the door for a Jeremy Sharp to come home? Is he the player we hope? Does he tick all the boxes on and off the field?

Blake Acres would probably still be at Freo had the club had a crystal ball that told them O’Driscoll wasn’t going to instantly take the next step and Liam Henry was leaving. Was it a mistake to move him on at the time? Opinions are mixed on the matter.

We’ve had a few weeks forced break so we might be a little bit rusty. If so, that’ll be business as usual. Finals are on but our season is obviously over. However, plenty has happened and there’s plenty to come. So, if you’re not ready to hang up your purple scarves for the year just yet, then stick around with us and let’s stretch the purple period out as far as we can.

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2023 we widely missed all analyst’s expectations. Is it the regression we had to have? Motivation is waning but we’re putting on our parachute pants and Restump Podcasting what hopefully isn’t Joel Hamling’s last game.

While you want to go out on a high, it must be difficult for both the Hawks and Freo to really get up for this game on Saturday. That said there are positions in both team’s best 22 to be obtained and there are career saving contracts to be won.

Old men Sonny Walters and Joel Hamling return as Bailey Banfield sits out to deal with a shoulder complaint and a calf has stopped Jaegar O’Meara from facing his former team.

For most rational people it sadly feels as though Liam Henry is playing his last game in purple. While no decision has been made, listening to the rhetoric and reading the telling tea leaves it suggests he will exit the club at seasons end. We hope he has a change of heart and continues his form trajectory on the wing he has made his own.

Does Nathan Wilson get another one-year deal? Have we seen the last of Trav Colyer?

The grapevine chatter is that the purple bleeding Sean Darcy has no intentions of playing elsewhere and wants to be a Freo man for life. It might have been more Chinese-whispering than grapevine chatter but lets hope its true.

What is this superpower Bob Murphy believes is obtainable by those who’s sexual preference is anything but straight, if they make their sexual orientation public?

We’re all a bit flat, we’re struggling for genuine motivation, we’re fatiguing and limping to the line. But the off season is long so we’ll dig deep and make the most of our final 2023 appearance on Saturday.

Our nonsense isn’t going to podcast itself so if your no doubt injured ears can go round the block one more time for the home and away season, tape them up and come along for the conversation.

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He’s instantly become a walk up start. Tommy may never be Emmett-ed again! Time to Restump Podcast the narrow defeat at the hands of the tough and talented top four occupants, Port Adelaide.

That was some debut performance by Tommy Emmett and we’re not talking about the two goals because they were cream on the cake. It was his composure, his ferocity at the ball and the man, his defensive work and his selflessness. When he laid that hit on Dan Houston…. you had to instantly think, Houston has got a problem.

We saw a 21-year-old kid wise and mature beyond his years. We saw someone who knows how to deal with hardship and adversity. We saw a kid with enormous perspective and someone who values and cherishes opportunity.

That mindset has enabled him to overcome ridiculous challenges that many of us can’t begin to comprehend. And that mindset and his desire to succeed in and enjoy life will carry him a long way in his AFL endeavors. This is the beginning of his journey and we all get to share the ride with him.

We couldn’t contain the strong Port Adelaide side but to run them close to the wire puts us in good stead. A top 4 side desperately trying to retain its position was the real test we needed. And while we lacked a bit of polish and composure under pressure and didn’t quite come out triumphant, it was a contest that will do us no end of good.

It was disappointing to see, yet again, the hatred thrown at Liam Henry, who was facing personal challenges of his own. The agenda driven over-scrutinization and the focusing on his negatives unfortunately continues by those occupying massively overblown senses of self-importance and entitlement.

He didn’t have his greatest game, he got it plenty, did some really nice things and did some ordinary things… which pretty much mirrored three quarters of the players out there. But if you think that Liam hasn’t been one of many contributing parts to Fremantle’s improved form, you’re deceiving yourself.

Matty Johnson was finally rewarded with a well-deserved and overdue rising star nomination after his game on the weekend, a productive and hard-fought game in which, believe it or not, he turned the ball over 4 times, just once less than Liam. “Crickets from the Henry critics”

Enough of the psychoanalysing and combative return of serve rhetoric here. The long and short of it is, it’s a been a disappointing season but we’re ending it in pretty good shape.

Time to wrap up the weekend’s game and persistently prattle on about all things purple. So, if we haven’t insulted or damaged your ears so far this season, feel free to put them through our nonsense again and we’ll have another go.

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Season is still alive, especially if you’re Tommy Emmett. Can’t wait to see him go around but someone please open the gate for him! We don’t want him jumping fences. Time to Restump Podcast Tommy’s time against the Power.

What a magnificent upcoming moment for the accountancy studying Tommy Emmett, and we’re all about to share with him. It’s a wonderful personal achievement and a reward for his persistence and dedication. It is truly the triumph over extreme adversity and it is something he and his family must be thrilled about.

Let’s hope his moment isn’t soured by being handed the sub vest! The debutants donning the sub vest policy is putrid and has to end!

The game against Port Adelaide is the test we need. There is little to lose and, to be fair, not much to play for, but we’ll get to see where we really are. We have to bring the energy and intent because we know Port will.

Sonny Walters and Josh “Ronnie” Corbett go out but in comes the above-mentioned debutant Tommy Emmett and revolving door rider, Bailey Banfield. Port Adelaide’s very strong line up looks largely unchanged.

The Liam Henry conversation is heating up. Is he staying? Is he going? Has he made his mind up yet? He’s unfortunately had some horrible stuff thrown at him by Freo fans over his short journey. Impatience and unrealistic expectations from many supposed Freo fans are becoming the norm and manifesting into self-righteous ugly commentary. It wouldn’t hurt to turn it around Sunday and make a bit more supportive noise for him.

The West Coast Eagles have a shedload of issues on their plate… are they trying to add Sean Darcy to it? Plenty of retirements, little talent and they will have decent cap space… it would be a sad day to see the Prince of Perth in Eagles colours but they’d be negligent not to try.

Two games left and just one remaining home game this Sunday against Port Adelaide. Our season is fast coming to a close but there is still time to prattle on about all things purple. So, if you’ve nothing better to do, by all means join us in the virtual Freo function room for forty minutes of Docker drivel.

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It's good practice to be humble in victory. So, we humbly understand where the Eagles are at and we’ll make up the workload with an extra training session during the week. Time to Restump Podcast the Saturday night stroll.

The West Coast Eagles fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about this season, so we did our best to provide them some hope in the first quarter. But by quarter time we somehow found ourselves in front.

To be brutally honest, that was as horrendous a performance from an opponent as we can ever remember. It was literally a training drill for us and we cannot recall a time in any our 29 season history when that has ever been the case.

But opponents and results and structures and drills aside, it was just fun. We’ve had a disappointing season, we’ve missed finals, we’ve struggled against lesser opponents so it was enjoyable to just push all that aside and indulge in the enjoyment of the demolition job. We rarely, if ever, get to do that.

It's difficult to take too much else out of the game because under such non-existent pressure it would have been concerning had our players not delivered what they did.

However, the take-outs for us were that JL can be as cagey as he likes but he’s not sending Hayden Young back to defence. His output in the midfield is too valuable.

Lachie Schultz got reward for hard work, Switta did the hard work but didn’t get the same reward, Jye should be equal favorite for the Rising Star and Matthew Johnson was robbed of a nomination.

If there is anyone who earlier this year bagged out Luke Jackson and or the club for doing the deal and hasn’t put their hand up and said “I apologise, I got it wrong and I take it back”… then you’re somehow trying to fraudulently save face.

Fresh off triggering a contract extension clause, Sammy Sturt continued on his merry way with 4 magnificent goals.

If ever anyone needs examples or reminders in the future of the importance of persistence and continuity for youngsters, Sturty, Henry and, to a lesser extent, Jackson are your reference points.

Disappointingly, Jojo being the purist he is, wasn’t amused with the game and apparently pathetically spent the second half watching English soccer. We’ll ask him what the hell!

The Chief is claiming the Neighbourhood Watch segment has become a movement. He believes an episode was rolled out by a commentator who has gotten on board.

All that and plenty more but let’s leave the written chit chat here and pick it up on the pod. Yes, it was a big, but soft win but we’re continuing to enjoy every little bit of it. So, if you’re not ready to move on from celebrations, come along for the conversation and don’t be shy.

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Has the Derby shine worn off? Sure, there’s little to play for, less so for West Coast, but where’s the banter, the cheap shots? Where’s Clive when you need him? Time to Restump Podcast the subdued Western Derby.

Could we actually lose this game, even if we wanted to? If the Eagles are up by a kick with a minute to go, will they learn from last week or will they go back to the “no plus one” well and replicate it? The smart money is on the latter.

Karl Worner gets a much-deserved opportunity and it is pleasing to see he was overlooked for the sub vest this week, unlike on debut. That said, the unwanted honour appears as though it will fall to the very unlucky Neil Erasmus.

Brennan Cox chalks up the 100 games and at just 24 years of age, there’s potentially another 100 to 150 in him, should he remain relatively fit and healthy.

Where does Hayden Young line up this week? The midfield challenge isn’t what it was last week. However, given Youngy’s performances, both offensively and defensively, over the past two weeks in the middle…. Hello Tim Kelly?

Speaking of Hayden Young, he, Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson, Jordan Clark and Jye Amiss all made the best 22 under 22 squad and could all push to make the final 22. But when you see the wealth of talent and you realise they’re under 22, it should give Freo fans a reminder of how young we actually are and how much upside is ahead of us.

I’ll preface this with the disclaimer that we don’t condone or advocate for violence at the Restump Podcast. Now having said that, at 31 years of age and with his best form well and truly behind him, are we running out of opportunities to square up the Andy Gaff ledger? I know, I know... it was years ago and most people have moved on… but there’d still be a flicker of a flame burning inside Andy Brayshaw. As Kramer says, it’s all water near a bridge.

The unlucky Heath Chapman has done his shoulder but it was pleasing to see him turn up for the Captain’s run and in great news this arvo Sammy Sturt has hit a one year contract trigger clause, so he’ll be strutting his stuff in purple for at least the next twelve months.

All that and who knows what else but unfortunately the Chief is bringing us home and making us endure another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

Luke Ryan tried his best to light a Derby fire, so we’re taking his lead and trying to up the level of oomph in the build up! If you’re oomph deficient then lend us your ears for 45 minutes or so and we’ll see if we can bring something to the table.

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We came up a bit short but the mixed emotions continue. There is still a bit to get out of 2023, but is it wrong to start jostling for 2024 position? Time to Restump Podcast yesterday’s big effort but small loss to the Lions.

This intensity and effort we’ve delivered over the past two weeks has to be the base. It has to be the minimum level delivered going forward. If we produced that four-quarter non-stop intensity all year…. we’d be making waves in September.

The conversation has to begin…. Have we uncovered the missing piece of our midfield? Small sample size we know but the job Hayden Young has done the last two weeks in the middle, both offensively and defensively,… it is astonishing!

After LJ’s monster performance, do we need a special RUOK day? Let’s show some compassion and check in on the “we want our kitchen sink back” Luke Jackson critics. They can’t be doing too well.

Three goals, that could quite easily have been five, in what was arguably his best game has us asking if the persistence and continuity we’ve been calling for, is paying Sam Sturt dividends?

Sometimes when Freddy kicks miraculous goals, or when you see Sammy Sturt get amongst it, when Jackson puts in a belter and when Hayden Young does the unthinkable… you can a get bit complacent in terms of appreciation for a game such as the one Caleb Serong delivered. The good problem is he does it too regularly! 35 possessions, 14 contested, 10 clearances, 7 tackles…. and he went to another level in the last quarter. He simply cannot be human!

We lost the game but it didn’t really feel like a loss. Sure, there were areas we still need to tidy up like mid / forward connectivity, the forwards all contesting for the same ball and selling teammates into trouble with unnecessary handballs at times in chains of play…. but we got plenty out of it to work with. As far as defeats go, and as far as we’re concerned, it was an extremely enjoyable contest.

So, enough of this drivel here, lets continue the drivel on the pod. We can’t promise you’ll come away enlightened or even entertained, but if you hold your ears in such low regard, then come along for the listen and join in the conversation.

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Joel Hamling was a tad unlucky to be omitted but it is out with a Hammer and in with a Cox to strengthen the defence. Time to Restump Podcast the battle against Brisbane.

Are we digging deep into our eternal but unrealistic optimistic natures and even contemplating we’re a mathematical chance of still making the top eight? Not likely but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to get out of the contest against the Lions.

Lachie Neale returns to Perth hungry to beat his old club in WA, something he is still yet to do. He has played with Brisbane against Freo 3 times for just the one win at the GABBA in 2020. Does Hayden Young go to Neale and repeat the job he did on Paddy Dangerfield? He might be needed down back though, given the tricky and potent forward line the Lions rolls with.

How So Suma is at it again. He’s determined to see Sean Darcy head back to Victoria despite the Jackson / Darcy (Jackarce) combination will be almost unbeatable in years to come.

Fossil fuel or renewable energies powered we don’t know, but it seems the battle of the petitions is heating up! The noisy alternative deficient anti-woodside folk are facing off against the pro-woodside people. As far as we’re concerned as long as someone pays to keep the lights on, we’re not concerned who it is.

We’re creeping closer to the end of the season now with just four games remaining. After our fine performance against the Cats, we’re looking for a similar effort and intensity this week against the bigger cats! Let’s look to keep Lachie Neale winless against us in WA.

Plenty of purple to prattle on about so feel free to plug this episode in and come along for the conversation. As always, remember to choose your listening time wisely because we can’t offer refunds.

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Tom Hawkins, Jeremy Cameron, form and captaincy questions. Hey Siri tell me four things Alex Pearce destroyed last Saturday. Time Restump Podcast the big win over the Cats.

While it mirrored the team’s performances, it is no secret Alex Pearce’s form in recent weeks wasn’t his greatest. However, he not only gave everyone a refresher course on his capabilities, but he found another level and arguably played his career best game on Saturday.

Does that highly influential performance put to bed the captaincy questions that were arising? Or is there still a lingering thought that Caleb Serong or Andy Brayshaw could take over the role in 2024

All that aside, Saturday was a magnificent result but one that was also frustrating and bitter sweet. In isolation it was the injection of joy we needed but, in context of the season, it was the four-quarter effort that we haven’t seen often enough.

We had understandable fears Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron would take us to the cleaners. We might have gotten a little fortunate with a wayward Jeremy Cameron kicking 1 goal 5, but Alex Pearce ensured that luck wouldn’t go to waste.

While Pearce is the talk of the town, Hayden Young’s performance and move into the middle is the take out for us. His shut down role on Dangerfield was astonishing and while he may go back to defense next week, the prospect of someone of his size and stature stepping into the midfield is an enticing dynamic.

Caleb Serong ensured he’ll win the Doig by the length of the Flemington straight, Luke Jackson’s contested and clearance work was enormous, Luke Ryan did typical magnificent Luke Ryan things and did Freddy just kick goal of the year?

Sam Switkowski, or Switskowski according to some commentators, and Lachie Schultz had big productive days and is Corey Wagner working his way into a regular team position?

After bringing down the vibe last week, we’ll check in with Jojo to see his mood levels. The Chief has been spending his time campaigning for Sam Sturt to be given another contract and unfortunately writing a new Neighborhood Watch episode that no one asked for.

After Saturday’s win at the ground only us and Geelong can win at, there’s a pep in every Freo fan’s step and a glide in their stride. So, lets make celebratory hay while the victory sun shines and keep the conversational ball rolling. By all means join us entering the penalty free protected zone, come along for the ride and get involved.

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Some are prematurely saying the season is over for Freo. But that’s loser talk! If we win eight of our last five we can still make the eight. Yeah… ok, its over… 'celebrate Ethan Hughes raising the bat and Restump Podcast Saturday’s cat fight.

Skilled Stadium, Kardinia Park, Alphabet Oval… Whiskas Bowl…. Whatever they’re calling that ground down in Geelong doesn't hold too much fears for us. It does hold some great memories though.

We’ve played there 19 times with just the 4 wins. We’ve got an average winning margin of 17 points but an average losing margin of 40 points. We’ve averaged 66 points a game over the 19 occasions. Our most recent tow encounters at the venue were a win last year by 3 points and a suffered hiding by 133 points in 2018.

The Cats are looking to scrape into the eight to participate in September yet again and, while we probably don’t care whether they make it or not, it’d be nice to make it difficult for them, if only for our mental and morale betterment.

The valuable Jimmy Aish returns and, as it seems the club is looking to manage Matty Johnson, young Ethan Stanley appears set for his second outing, albeit again in the sub vest.

Ethan Hughes celebrates a well earned 100-game milestone and you just have to be happy for him. He’s been used sporadically since 2015 but you always know what you’re going to get from him. He is consistent, he rarely plays a poor game and the gap between his best and worst is very narrow. He may not be the most polished or the most gifted but he is courageous, he puts his head over the ball and you get 110% effort all day every day from him.

If you’re listening to the commentary from the club it sounds like Liam Henry may be on the move in 2024. He has thrived in the back half of the season and is becoming the winger we have been hoping for. He’s getting opportunity and he’s part of our best 22 now so we hope Liam isn’t lost to the purple.

With our game being Saturday morning this week we better get on with it because we’re only hours away from bouncedown. So, lets get into the cat clash and bang on about all things purple. We can only advise that you don’t waste your precious Friday or Saturday on us but if you value your time that little then who are we to deter you!

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Hey it worked for Marnus Labuschagne! And it did look like Alex Pearce was getting reverse swing on the odd kick. Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s 12 minute loss to the Swans.

We got off to a flyer but we stopped as fast as we started and it was the first quarter curse yet again that destroyed us… or rather it was what we did or didn’t do in it that destroyed us

What if we start internally applying our games in 5ths? Say five 16-minute periods. That way we would avoid first quarters. Has it really come to that type of preposterous thinking?

After getting 18 disposals, 2 inside 50’s and kicking one goal one before the Swans had a single possession, the game was pretty much over at 16 minutes later, as mental as those sounds.

It was as if centre clearances and spreading from the contest were foreign terms. We largely leveled up the numbers by the end of the night but, like has been the case all year, the damage was done.

Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy combined admirably in the ruck but there is no substitute for Sean Darcy. That said, he was there for the first quarter last week.

Thank goodness for Luke Ryan. He was exceptional as he nearly always is and the margin would have blown out with out his performance.

With his 23 touches, 9 contested and 8 ground ball get (second most on the ground behind Caleb Serong) Liam Henry continues to dismiss his critics. He’s made the wing his own and if anyone else wants it they’re going to have to fight to take it off him.

We raised the prospect last week that Alex Pearce may not be the captain that is required, or more so that he doesn’t play in a position to make an influential difference when needed. Is the captaincy question rearing it head again?

As disappointing as the post-bye season has been, we still believe we’re not far off the pack. It looks like a lack of cohesion and connection and an absence of a bit of grunt and agro in the middle rather than talent. And if that is the case, it is rectifiable with offseason focus.

We’d all love to be chatting about a victory but win lose or draw we soldier on. The monotony is biting us all but we bind together, hunker down and weather the storm like only Freo fans know how.

So, friends. Romans, countrymen… lend us your ears, pack your mental strength and come along for our interpretation of the current deep purple situation.

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What a great story Ethan “Snipper” Stanley is. There is always something to get out of, I’d say a fruitless season… but it’s a season that has gone pear shaped! Time to Restump Podcast Snipper’s debut against the Swans.

Our finals chances may resemble a flatlining Chaddy Fletcher on the Las Vegas strip but there is still life in the season when you get to see your recruits make their debuts. We’re putting these remaining games of 2023 to good use.

At this point of the year, its not now so much about wins and losses but rather, structure, game style disciplines and the Ronnie Corbetts and Snipper Stanleys. We brought these players into the club for a reason so let’s get them opportunity and see what unfolds.

That said, we’re not dismissing the importance of putting wins on the board as you don’t want to end the season spiralling downwards into a sea of losses. We need to get something solid and beneficial out of these games to build on for 2024.

The Swans are in a similar boat to us. Their drawn game against Geelong a few weeks back has provided them possibly with a fraction of a chance to make it the eight.

We beat them earlier in the year on their home Milo tin lid of a deck but they’re probably in better form now and they bring pretty much a full-strength list to Optus Saturday night. It will be a big ask for us Freo folk in what will surely be Buddy’s finale in WA.

When the Swans win the marks inside 50 battle, they genuinely win the game. Only once this year have they won the inside 50 mark count and lost the game. So, our undermanned defence is going to need a chop out from the mids.

Just six games left for us in 2023 so its time for us and the club to make the most of them.

While opinions on Buddy Franklin vary greatly, the reality is for football fans first, we’ve all been privileged to be part of his era. It’ll be a while, if ever, we get to see another player come close to what he was able to do. Post match, win lose or draw, Buddy Franklin deserves a respectful nod of appreciation and acknowledgement from us Freo folk.

Plenty more to cover so let’s leave the niceties there and start the pluck of the red and white ducks! So, if you’ve nothing better to do, and I find that very hard to believe, bung this 45 minutes in your ears and come along for the conversation.

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Where did that quarter go? You can’t serve up three quarters of Pie and think you won’t go hungry! There are no leftovers! We’re on the Restump Podcasting case of the missing quarter!

At the risk of being accused of accepting mediocrity and borderline honorable losses, we probably got a pretty decent performance on Saturday against an incredibly well experienced, aged, drilled, and trained Collingwood outfit. The Pies are the full package. They have no weaknesses, they cover injury outs and they function as a well-oiled cohesive unit… and in an obviously very happy environment.

Pre-game and at half time it threatened to be a 80 – 100 point hiding. And given there almost three years difference in age on average across the two teams and nearly 60 games per player in experience difference out there, that sort of result probably was expected.

In both a pleasing and disappointing outcome, the result really on paper was one quarter of footy. However, it was one of the most dominant quarters against us we’ve seen for some time and we couldn’t stem the flow.

To put that second quarter on paper…. we went -39 possessions, -15 Inside 50 which meant Collingwood had a monstrous 19 for the quarter. We went -6 in clearances after being +10 in first quarter and -5 centre clearances after being +5 in first quarter. We went -12 in contested possession, -18 in uncontested possession, -16 marks and -7 marks inside 50. They took a whopping 10 marks inside 50 in that single second quarter! That’s a rare level of dominance!

It begs the question did Collingwood go up and down gears when they needed to? Did they simply manage us? Or were we as competitive as the scorecard suggests in the other three quarters.

The negatives are obviously the carnage we suffered in the way of injuries. The severity of Sean Darcy’s ankle is yet to be determined as is Brandon Walker’s knee. With the season over as far as finals are concerned, and while we feel for the individuals, Darcy and Walker’s absence won’t be quite as detrimental to the team as it may well have been.

The positive, Neil Erasmus. With just 12 games under his belt prior to Saturday he was still understandably adapting to the speed of the game. But he took a giant step forward and showed why he’s a big reason the future is bright.

As mentioned, the season is done and dusted in regards to September, but there is still plenty to get out of it. On top of that if we can’t find something purple to bang on about, are we even Freo fans?

Let’s get into Saturday’s chop up, dissect it, mull over it, theorise it and hopefully come to some concrete conclusions. So, if too much purple is never enough, bring those things on the side of your head and get involved.

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It's fraught with danger engaging mercenaries! But as they either had to sign with Russia, move to Belarus or retire, the suit up for Freo option was a no brainer! Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s ominous task against the Pies.

It is a pretty scary assignment Saturday against the premiership favourites and all conquering Pies. We’ve had to make a host of changes but, result aside, it will be good experience for the young list, if not much else.

Corey Wagner had a mare in his debut earlier this year. Apparently, they were calling him Construction site Corey after that game. Every time he kicked the ball a clang sound was heard! Oh that’s too harsh! He did knock up a bit.. but he’ll make amends Saturday.

It's good to see that the great premiership defender, the forgotten man, Joel Hamling, has gotten an opportunity. He’s had a really rough trot of it but he’ll no doubt give us all a reminder of his capabilities at this level.

Is this last chance saloon for Sturty? He’s been given numerous opportunities this year and, while it must be difficult trying to get some certainty, he hasn’t exactly grabbed them.

And poor old Bailey Banfield probably drew the short straw and was made the scapegoat last time he was dropped. C’mon Bailey give us one of those games that were earning you a regular first twenty two spot.

Speaking of poor efforts, the Chief has been omitted from the Restump Podcast line-up for the same reason… unacceptable performances in recent weeks. He’s been replaced by the former ABC Sport News reader, the great Clint “the Tank Engine” Thomas.

A big step down for Clint and a big professional step up for the Restump. Safe to say given the professionalism and profile, the Chief is in a bit of strife.

But its not about us, it is about the footy…. or whatever it is our Freo boys are trying to play at the moment! So, let’s get straight into this 45 minute Freo V Collingwood preview with Jojo and Clint.

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If finals weren’t already out of reach, they are now. Carlton used the pressure application blueprint for beating Freo and shattered us all. Time to clean up the purple shards of broken glass and Restump Podcast yesterday’s damage.

You want to believe and you want to have hope. But we’re one and a half wins and percentage out of the eight, we’ve got five teams between us and that position and we’ve got three teams in the top four and a further one in the top eight in our remaining seven games.

Again, we don’t want to be glass half empty folk but we were just taken to the cleaners by a team that was three rungs below us on the ladder. Even in our wildest overly-optimistic dreams, we’re not Lazarus.

Where did it all go wrong yesterday? You could spin the wheel of reasons and you’d be on the money whatever it landed on.

The Blues simply applied relentless overwhelming pressure on us from the very first bounce and it has seemingly become the blueprint for teams playing us. Carlton’s midfield was too big, too strong, too experienced and we were unable to deal with their pressure, or go with them, despite our ruck dominance.

Every possession was under pressure or perceive pressure and was rushed and, while our skills aren’t exactly dynamite at the best of times, we struggle further under duress.

We got beaten up by two former teammates in Blake Acres and Adam Cerra. The former was electric in all facets and he’s become the player we all knew we were losing. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we’re feeling the impacts of his departure.

Compare the two main forwards each team was kicking to. Curnow and McKay – average age 25.5, a total of 202 games and just under 400 goals. Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy – average age 19.5, a total of 48 games and 56 goals.

We’ve been suggesting it all year that we’re not the finished product and that we’re two years and 40 to 50 games per player away from seriously challenging. The individual contests yesterday only emboldened those beliefs.

That isn’t to say we didn’t expect a better performance than what we received and it isn’t to say we expected to be below 6th to 10th at this point of the season, but sometimes the reality is stark and isn’t determined by our impatience or expectations.

It’s more of a ‘how did this happen’ and a ‘where do we go from here’ review podcast than the usual therapeutic hour-long post-traumatic loss pod, but we need to talk it out none the less.

So, if you can stomach revisiting or talking about yesterday’s dreadful display then by all means come along and hopefully somewhat rid the frustrations and heal with us.

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When a footy gets picked up on airspace radar there is a fair chance The Sheriff is in town. Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s battle against the Blake Acres Blues.

The finals are suddenly a disappearing dot on the horizon but they’re still a mathematical glimmer of hope. However, all we can control is the effort we bring against the Blues.

The major focus obviously has to be on the Blue’s two big paths to goals, Curnow and McKay. With Carlton getting 41% of their goals through those two, quelling their scoreboard influence goes a long way to beating them.

And stopping them both isn’t just the job of the defensive unit, it starts with the midfield restricting ease of supply. Speaking of midfields… our former Freo man Adam Cerra is having a cracking season and will need some close treatment.

The captain plays his 100th, a game no doubt he and most fans thought at different stages over the last eight or nine years, may never eventuate. Its been a battle and we take our hats off to Alex Pearce.

Albeit as the sub, Karl Worner pulls on the purple for a much-deserved debut. His body of work at Peel couldn’t be denied any further.

Off field we got the great news of Jye’s signature to 2029 as well as Matt Johnson and Birdman Treacy to 2026.

Back from his golfing trip and upon hearing the news of the AFL player’s data breach, Jojo has taken extra cyber security precautions to protect his nude photos. And this is despite there being no signs they were under threat.

Finally the Chief is asking the question about the unwritten code or where the imaginary line is in regards to sledging and are their circumstances where it can be relaxed.

We’re a bit late with the preview and when it comes to the Restump Podcast, popular opinion suggests its better never than late! However, we’ve ignored that and done it anyway.

So if you’re looking for something to bung in your ears on the way to Optus Stadium Sunday, surely you could find something more insightful and entertaining than our 40 minutes of nonsense?

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Don’t hate us Skip, we still love you. We can’t all be great at everything. Time to Restump Podcast the seemingly season crushing loss to the Western Lobradors.

Well that one hurt. We’re still a mathematical chance of making the eight but the percentages are diminishing at a rapid rate. We probably can’t afford another loss, or maybe one at the most, but even that doesn’t guarantee us a spot, given the logjam.

For two and a half quarters the game looked ours as we matched and surpassed the dog’s pressure. But in the blink of an eye, they got a lucky decision, they took the ascendency and literally piled on 3 goals in a minute. We were left Memphis Raines like – Gone in sixty seconds.

Our subdued start to the game hurt us again and while we had switched on and closed the gap by the end of the first quarter, it was energy sapping damage that had been done.

Poor execution of skills, an inability to deal with frenetic pressure and at times horrendous decision making could account for the loss.

Does the Chief’s “Alex Pearce Kick Deterrent System” need to be implemented? $5,000 fine every time he kicks the ball. That’s a little too harsh but…. it’s difficult to have confidence when he has ball in hand and doesn’t take a handball option.

Did Bevo and his coaching crew out coach us at pivotal points in the game? Could Jackson have come into the ruck in that last quarter when things got dizzy quickly? Were there pivotal times in the game when we had Erasmus and Johnson in the middle?

Caleb Serong was again off the scale and while finals might not be coming his way in September, his fair share of Browlow votes will be.

He might not be amongst the votes but Sonny Walters is in goal galore territory. With 25 goals on the board and another eight games to go, at 32 years of age Evergreen Sonny is in career best form range.

Liam Henry made it two on the bounce. Sure, he butchered a couple but he wasn’t on his Pat Malone and his productive performance far outweighed his errors. His growth is a 2023 positive, especially as we know, or we should know, he’s just 21 years of age and far from the finished product.

And you can’t speak about 2023 positives without the great Jye Amiss. You have to continue to remind yourself…. he’s a teenager. He’s on track to kick 40+ goals and he’s a teenager!

We’re not going to dwell too much on wouldas, shouldas and couldas. We got provided another presentation explaining exactly where we are as a club and a list. The upside is that the window is only just starting to open.

So, join us for these 50 minutes as we pull apart the purple performance. There’s blame, there’re regret, there is sorrow, acceptance and then rejuvenation. Have the bright lights of season 2023 been turned off or have they just been dimmed?

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The build-up has been conspicuously subdued this time around against the Dogs, almost an eerie silence. It’s a tricky assignment to work out and we’re feeling a bit restrained but we’ll Restump Podcast it and see what comes up.

The name Rory Lobb has barely been whispered this week. Is it a case of once bitten, twice shy? Have we all made the error of being overly cautious? If we subscribe to the ‘offense is the best defence’ theory, then shouldn’t we have doubled down?

The reality is there is so much on the line on Saturday. We probably need 13 wins at a minimum, probably 14 given our inferior percentage, to make the finals. So if we need to win 6 or 7 of our remaining 9 games and then we see we have got Collingwood, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Geelong at Kardinia Park to come…. we can’t afford to drop the ball Saturday.

James Aish makes his much-welcomed return to add his solid and calming influence. Might he get the tap on the shoulder at some point in the game with the “Mr Aish, please make your way to Mr Bontempelli” request? Let’s hope he’s not required in that manner, but its handy to know the option is there.

The Dogs lost a couple of tall backs which plays into our favour as Jackson, Jye and Josh will look to exploit the advantage.

But it starts and probably ends in the middle. We can’t allow the ease of possession and movement we presented the Dogs in that earlier clash this season. If we do, it could well be curtains for the year.

We’re going in with some nervousness and a little bit of trepidation, but we’re looking forward to some retribution and loading the season up for the run home.

It’s a tough game to work out because it is difficult to really know where the Dogs are at. But that doesn’t stop us foolishly having a go at it! Just a tick over 30 minutes is a more manageable bite size of nonsense this week.

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If Saturday night was the result of ‘cautionary tales’ and ‘liabilities’… then throw caution to the wind and buy up all the debt laden liabilities we can. Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s Henry Jackson show.

Isn’t it amazing what a little patience, a little support and persistence can do.

A few weeks ago a certain King called Jackson a cautionary tale and Liam was cruelly being referred to by so-called Freo supporters as a liability. We reached out for comment but all we got were rolling tumbleweeds and the sounds of crickets!

Enough of that nose-rubbing-it-in rubbish, the reality is whether you were an emotional knocker or a supporter of Liam Henry and or Luke Jackson, let's hope we all just enjoyed the show Saturday night. And to be honest, we probably didn’t get the win without their output.

But while we rightfully sing their praises, it was a commitment of the collective across the board, a commitment that was absent a week earlier against the Giants.

While best on ground honours went to Liam Henry or Luke Jackson, you could easily throw Caleb Serong into that equation. His game was off the scale and the reality is Liam and Luke largely couldn’t have done what they did if Caleb didn’t do what he did.

The win wasn’t necessarily our best but we did what we needed to do against a team in a similar boat, to keep our season alive and kicking. However, after the last two weeks, it certainly was a warm and welcomed performance and coinciding result.

Looking forward to talking about this one so let’s get into it on the pod. It may never be as good or as bad as it seems but its important to celebrate the joys along the journey. Plug in and join in this 50 minute recap.

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The self-professed Prince of Perth is back and with him comes the feeling that all feels well again. Time to Restump preview podcast Freo’s good-natured battle against the team with the flying machine logo!

Essendon is travelling at around 90 points a match but they’ve just upped their offensive game. Sure, its in regards to their logo but apparently its offensive none the less!

Are we, as Freo fans, drinking at the last chance Saloon Saturday night? Our post bye form has been horrid and if we’re going to turn it around it has to be now or never.

The reality is when you look at both teams, Essendon and Freo are almost identical as far as form lines go. Essendon have beaten just one top eight side and have beaten 3 of the four bottom teams. Freo have beaten just one top eight side, we’ve beaten three of the four bottom teams and been beaten by one of them. Are we really in the 2023 conversation?

Having said that, the form of pretty much the entire league, apart from Collingwood, and Port Adelaide, is topsy turvy and rarely predictable. So almost everyone can get a September hypothetical mention.

Our defences are comparable and we generate the same number of scoring shots per game, from the same number of inside 50s. The difference is Essendon has slotted 16 goals more than us. They take their chances and its something we have to start doing.

We’ll cop the Richmond loss, rule a line through the Giants debacle and restart our season right now… or rather tomorrow night… in the wet… and the cold…! But a warm dry 4 points will fix all that.

Jojo, is recording from the Tuscan bird Avery for hopefully the final time so everything should return to normal programing next week.

But for now, there’s a tick over 35 minutes of discussion on the chances of the purple people against the red sash wearing inoffensive Essendon Hot Air Balloons tomorrow night. So, feel free to immerse yourself in our nonsense, providing you accept that we offer no guarantees or time refunds.

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Apparently, it's what was heard when that fictitious photo was taken! Time to Restump Podcast that performance, ironically a game the Giants metaphorically torched us and scattered our ashes.

Was there a mole planted pre-game? I think its just a little too coincidental that a certain someone was a late out from the Giants! Oh who are we kidding... we're reaching in looking for buck-passing reasons!

Trying to find a positive out of Saturday is like trying to find a psychologist in WA with available appointments.

We thought those dark days were behind us. We thought we’d never revisit them for at least a decade or two, if ever. Maybe it was one last trip round the bend for old times sake. Maybe it was a strategic plan to give this new young group a taste of what we have not only been through over our journey, but could return to again if we don’t bring effort each and every week. Maybe Saturday was the wake-up call.

The Giants were good. We don’t want to take anything away from them because they destroyed us. They’re good, they’re not a 70 point demolition good. We own most of that defeat… we were that ordinary, the Giants would have beaten witches hats by just 60 points!

I’m a stats backed realist and a patient and tolerant person when it comes to Freo. I’ve been of the opinion we’re far from the finished product and that we’re 40 to 50 games away from the majority of our current crop being ready. However, age and inexperience have nothing to do with effort and intent and it wasn’t age and inexperience that was behind that thumping on Saturday.

The entire game was disturbing but the final quarter was damning. There wasn’t even any junk time efforts and when you even see Andy Brayshaw half-heartedly attempt to tackle and stop an opponent, that is unprecedented and you know as a whole and in relation to the last few seasons, we’re in rare territory.

It was by far our worst performance this year, not just because the scoreboard said so. We’ve been beaten by lesser opponents than the Giants, but not in that manner.

And there lies the ever so faint positive, the unsteady brittle rack on which we hang our tattered hat on. Saturday was so uncharacteristic it was initially more drop jaw shocking than it was disappointing. It wasn’t on or the beginning of a trend, it was an anomaly, a freak event…. or so we all desperately hope.

Let’s get into it in further detail on the pod as Jojo and his sharp footy brain will surely have some insight and reasons for such an odd performance.

Healing is based on talking so let’s start taking and hopefully healing. Join in and let us know your thoughts in a constructive manner… there are no right or wrong opinions after a game like that.

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This two prong Toby attack is no Walker in the park. But with some defensive help from the mids, we’ve it this covered. Time to Restump Podcast preview the vital clash against the Big Big Sound Giants.

At the risk of suffering over confidence we’re calling it right off the top here. They’ve made a mistake not having us as favorites. We don’t advise or advocate gambling but the $2.10 is difficult not to raise a keen interest eyebrow at.

But we’re not here to ogle the odds, we’re here to pull apart the team numbers, assess the ins and outs and match ups and look for strengths and weaknesses to exploit.

If we want to play finals, this game against the Giants really is a must win. Its there for the taking and if we put up a similar performance against GWS to the one we delivered against Richmond last week, it is difficult to think we won’t be banking the four points.

GWS get by on their offensive game. They don’t have too many issues scoring but neither do their opponents. While both Freo and the Giants go at around 84 points a game on average for the season, we’ve upped that to 95 points over the last 5 games.

And from a defensive standpoint, we were leaking nearly 92 points a game on average for the first half of the season so far. Over the last four or five weeks we’ve improved it three goals to 74 points, which is bang on 3 goals less than the Giants let through.

Oh, but it is the Giants home ground you say? Well that is true but given they’ve played at the Showgrounds four times this year for a win and three losses… they hardly have home ground supremacy. Having said that, we've only played the ground twice for two losses and one of them a 113 point belting by this Giant's outfit.

Don’t get me wrong, the Giants definitely aren’t easy beats and as Fremantle supporters we don’t have the right to use that term or even think that of an opponent. I mean they’ve got talent on every line. Toby Green obviously, Josh Kelly, Tom Green and Lachie Whitfield are as good as anyone going around.

With Jimmy Aish going down it makes it a really big job for our wingers Disco and Henry. But the return of O’Meara provides options as well as strength and versatility in the middle. Beyond that, our pressure applying oriented team system and structure and the above-mentioned numbers put enough tickets in the Bob barrel for mine.

Jojo McDonnell is still deck chairing it on the Amalfi coast so were still suffering unacceptable delays. However, his lack of control left the door open for the resurgence of the Neighbourhood Watch.

We’re about 24 hours out from bounce down so let’s get into it. Join us for these 40 minutes of try hard analysis and nonsensical commentary on the big Freo V Giants show. We’d call it amateur hour but ironically, we’re 20 minutes short.

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Was it a simple case of our missed opportunities or did Richmond wind back the clock to their dynastical Richmondy times? A post bye win would’ve been handy for momentum but its not the end of the world. Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s once bitten twice shy loss to the Tigers.

We can all debate the reasons for the loss and opinioniise our preferred personnel, but we probably just got a reality check of where we’re really at. And other than the missed four points, its not a negative.

Yes, we didn’t take our opportunities but isn’t that a part of a current make-up at any given time? The lack of composure and skill execution, specifically in that final quarter, could be partly attributed to our age and inexperience.

We might have to pass the hat around to help the boys pay for the How To Handle The Ball In Wet Conditions lesson Tim Taranto and Shai Bolton gave us. They were exceptional all night and we simply had no genuine answers for them.

Having said that, our 19-year-old Busseltonian up forward had the velcro hands and took all but one opportunity of his own. His rapid rise to the level he is at is astonishing and we’re pretty much at a point where it’s Nev’s forward line, everyone else give him a chop out and get out of the way.

Meanwhile another rapid rise to prominence, this time in the midfield, the magnificent Matty Johnson made every post a winner and was arguably Freo's best. Mature beyond his years and if Saturday night was indicative of the base which he’ll grow from…. holy Christmas…. sky is the limit.

And speaking about taking your opportunities… Jayden Short took three of them all from beyond the 50 metre arc! I haven’t seen goal kicking like that since…. believe it or not… Rory Lobb kicked 4 against the Dogs for us last year.

Did we experience any repercussions from the week off? We went into the bye with a solid victory which now makes it 15 pre-bye round wins, while the loss on Saturday has us at 8 post-by round wins. So, from 17 byes we have an 88% pre-bye round win record, but the post-bye round we win just 53% of the time.

Whatever the case, the reality is once upon a time in the not-so-distant past, we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near back in the game from being 6 goals down in dry conditions, let alone in treacherous rain.

We’re a team of kids, we were two and a half years younger and 50 games lighter on average against a rampaging Richmond team consisting of 16 premiership players, and we just fell short through missed opportunities and a lack of composure. Safe to say we’re in super shape.

This is actually a really interesting game to dissect. So, lets put the cap on the pen and get into it on the pod. I can’t guarantee you’ll learn anything but other than 45 minutes of your precious time, what have you got to lose by coming along for the conversation and getting involved?

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In the interests of inclusivity of all car enthusiasts, let us hope we continue holden our form tomorrow against the Tigers. Time to Restump preview podcast the post bye game against a hardwickless Richmond.

What sort of post bye round shape will we be in? Is there any chance we might be a bit sluggish, a bit slow into stride suffering a bye hangover? We’ve been involved in 16 byes or 14-day break games. Pre-bye games we have an impeccable record winning 14 of them. Post-bye games we win just 56% of the time, winning 9 of the 16. Is there anything to read into that? Probably not.

Liam Henry has put a body of work together at Peel and earned his way back into the side and the opportunity has arisen for Sammy Sturt which he must take advantage of for the benefit and continuation of his long-term football life.

A few weeks back we had a two-time brownlow medalist wearing the sub vest ready to unleash on the opposition at the opportune time. This week we’ve got a 200 game, 330 goal club legend ready to do the same. The luxury of having subs the calibre of a Fyfe and Sonny to strategically inject into the game is invaluable!

All eyes are on future midfield rockstar Matt Johnson this week as he no doubt takes on the extra midfield minutes and workload currently left by Jaegar O’Meara…. who understandably will probably never lay another tackle ever again! The Tigers aren’t to be taken lightly despite their four and seven and a draw win loss

record and their 13th placed ladder rung. The reality is five of their losses have been to top eight sides and three of them to top four sides. Add in that the 5 losses were all by just 18 points or less, two of them under a kick and the draw against Carlton and this is a tougher contest than the bookies are trying to have us believe.

But our numbers are through the roof, we’re a much better side in rounds 8 to 11 than we were from rounds 1 to 7 and if we seriously want to play finals, we should be putting this game away.

Bit of a rushed pod with Jojo sitting in a Rome café enjoying a breakfast vino with a brioche, distracted by dissent expressing Italians and noisy vespas…. but at times you do what you can do and somehow this 40 minutes has come together.

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Two re-signings, two more years, two legends for life. We don’t want to jinx anything but it kind of feels that everything is coming up Millhouse! It was bye week but we'll find some purple to Restump Podcast about.

What great few days! While it has been an effort from the collective, it’s no surprise the return of Nat Fyfe has coincided with Freo’s return to form. And the evergreen Sonny Walters is still the man you call when you need to get forward stuff done! Two more years of these experienced champions providing leadership and support to our young list… sounds a recipe for tasty success!

Our list is in pretty good shape from numerous perspectives. Health-wise, yes we're minus the Prince of Perth but we’re in as good a nick as could be expected, and from an age profile… geez it really feels there is an exciting decade ahead of us.

Ethan Stanley becomes the newest member of the purple people having been picked up from Victoria in the pre-season draft. There might be a little bit more to this goal kicking wingman’s selection than a simple free throw at the stumps. As usual the club has ticked all the selection box criteria.

Our Peel guys are all in great shape. Liam Henry is putting together a noticeable body of work, Neil Erasmus’ knuckles are bleeding from banging on the door, Will Brodie continues to be ready if needed and with 17 goals in 8 games…. could Sebit Kuek get a taste before season’s end?

Given it was the bye weekend the Chief thought he was getting a day off, but Jojo made short work of that! So, if you’re looking for some game gap filling Freo folly and not much more, come along for this 45 minute conversational ride and get involved.

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Through no fault of his own he’s the face of Fremantle’s most famous, or infamous deal. He’s a journeyman who battled injuries for nine AFL years, a Fremantle foundational player, now a valuable part of the Clontarf Academy and most of all an all-round ripping good guy. We sit down for a chat with the great Tony Delaney.

We thought we’d take a walk down memory lane during the bye round so we caught up with the great man to get his unusual career story.

Few other players, if any, could say they spent nine years in the AFL, was taken at pick twelve, traded for pick four, played at three clubs, delisted from the second one, had six coaches and played just 78 games. And they reckon Luke Jackson is a unicorn!

Join us for these 45 minutes as we wind back the Docker clocker for a casual chat about everything Fremantle then to now with Tony Delaney.

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“Please don’t tell Mum, Andy!” The battle of the Brayshaw brothers ended in Andy’s favour and probably a month’s grounding for both. Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s magnificent win.

It was probably one of the most entertaining, all-consuming, edge of the seat matches we’ve played this year. Four frantic quarters of frenetic pressure which both teams delivered and absorbed, played in amazing spirit.

We needed a true test to really find out where we actually were at and the Dees on their home deck was just what the Docker and/or Doctor ordered. It was a war of attrition that our purple boys impressively handled in a way far beyond the collective's age and experience.

To be two years younger and nearly fifty games less experienced across the board, take everything the Dees handed out and return it with interest, was a monumental effort. It cemented the belief that Freo, somehow, are genuinely back among the finals contenders.

Surely anyone who wasn’t keen on the recruiting of Luke Jackson has had a change of heart? His game was something else even before Sean Darcy unfortunately went down. But to then combat Brody Grundy and Max Gawn (Bromax) solo for two and a half quarters… we don’t get the win without his performance.

If you can purchase Matt Johnson stock, buy up everything you can. His size, his smarts, his craft, his agility and his composure for a 20-year-old kid is rarer than an honourable politician.

And then there’s Jye. Another kid with ridiculous footy smarts, superb mobility and sublime skills. He’s the forward we’ve been looking for since the mighty Pav retired. Working cohesively in tandem with, and getting assistance from Josh Treacy, Jye’s team-oriented mindset and individual 3 goals kicked on a Steven May and Jake Lever combination, are a sign of things to come for the next decade and beyond. His thoroughly deserved round eleven rising star nomination was a long time coming.

Enough of this here! We’re bouncing off the walls, keen to get into this 60+ minutes of prattling on about the purple. Our season is back! We’re back! Who would have thunk it five weeks ago? Feel free to come along for the conversation with us as we verbally overdose on the purple drug…. in a non-toxic, safe manner and environment!

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You know why Brandon Walker is shutting down dangerous small forwards? Kozzy can! Yes, I know,… let’s just move right along and get on with Restump Podcasting the big clash against the Dees at the Gees!

We’ve had a few very good weeks and we’re looking to continue on in that rich vein of form this Saturday. Melbourne have won seven of ten so far this season and four of their last five so it is difficult to fault them.

However, there is the possibility that their form is a little deceiving. They’ve predominantly lost to the seemingly more credentialed teams and beat up on those in the cellar dwelling range.

While they stumbled last week against Port Adelaide it was on Port’s home deck and to the tune of just 4 points. They might be without Clayton Oliver and wingman Lachie Hunter but they have replacement killers to call on.

All eyes will be on the big clash of the titans! The all-conquering Sean Darcy and the single bound, tall building jumping, Luke Jackson up against magnificent Max Gawn and the Collingwood paid, Melbourne employee, Brody Grundy. Quite simply its JackArce versus BroMax!

Will Jackson cop some heat from his former teammates? After the Dees were criticised for abandoning Max Gawn last Friday night, they may look to overcorrect, make amends and LJ might be in their sights. Rest assured we won’t abandon him!

Brandon Walker will be heading straight to the super dangerous Kozzy Pickett, hoping to repeat the recent run of jobs he’s done on similar types. However, the Dee’s share the scoring load so, as usual, our backs will defend as a collective and they’ll accept a bit of help from the mids.

Sonny Walters is out with some issues with a calf. Who knew he had a farm? His absence hurts us so Freddy, Schultzy and Switta will need to pick up the slack.

We’ll see a full game from Nat Fyfe, Matty Johsnon comes into the starting lineup and that probably means Sammy Sturt will don the sub vest. If Sturty is the sub and gets a run, let’s hope it is for tactical reasons and not through injury.

It has been revealed that Jojo McDonnell is currently fueling the private jet for a month-long holiday in Italy. Between his race horses and holidays, we’re starting to question his dedication to the Restump!

And like a dog with a bone, the Chief couldn’t let the current situation regarding the club up the road go by. So unfortunately, we’re all being subjected to another Neighbourhood Watch episode.

This will be a tough game on Saturday, we’re going up in grade on our last three wins. The Dees aren’t unbeatable but they’re a much bigger challenge for us. One way or the other we’ll find out where we really are. It’s our final game before the bye so no doubt we’ll leave nothing in the shed.

Enough of this rambling here, let’s get on with the podcast where there will be…. well more rambling! But who among us has ever overdosed on purple rambling? Join us if you need a fix.

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No word of a basketball background but the Captain in waiting turned in a triple double. Quite simply Andy is back to his brilliant best. Time to Restump Podcast our season levelling win over the Cats.

Going into the round four wins and five losses we desperately needed the win, simply because we cannot put a foot wrong if we’re to pinch a spot in the eight by season’s end. While the challenge wasn’t exactly as hot as it could have been, the important aspect is it was mission accomplished.

Andy Brayshaw is obviously over his knee niggles. He’s been building the last few weeks and on Saturday we saw his return to the top off the tree. His work rate is at such a level, workhorses are looking at him and thinking they need to lift their games!

His midfield mate Caleb Serong is on an equal footing, Jaegar is fast becoming the player we thought we were getting and if there is anyone doubting Nat Fyfe’s role anywhere in the team, then put a replay of the game on slow motion and just keep your eyes on him, with and without the ball.

Luke Jackson continues to make his knockers look like they’re wearing Ronald McDonald shoes, Josh Treacy’s influence was far above and beyond his numbers on the stat sheet, Bailey Banfield had a good game that could have been a career best game and… our equal leading goal kicker… where did he come from Cotton Eye Jye!

Despite having 3 goals kicked on him, our current Captain did a supreme job on the mountain of a man that is Tom Hawkins. Luke Ryan was super solid but admittedly helped by Jeremy Cameron’s inaccurate boot, Brandon Walker held the All-Australian small forward Tyson Stengle well and Jordan Clark gave his former team another showing of what they let go.

Quite simply it was a win for the collective ironically through the performing of individual roles. It was a win for coaching strategy rendering Tom Stewart’s game inconsequential, a win for Sonny Walter’s Sir Doug Nicholls round celebratory routine and it was a win for us fans keeping our season well and truly alive.

We got the four points and we made it three wins on the bounce but we have to remain realistic. We need to keep in mind that the Cats were without Paddy Dangerfield who has been flying, they were without Cat’s midfield stalwart Cam Guthrie, they were without the extremely vital Mitch Duncan and they were without recruit Ollie Henry, who has kicked 16 goals and proves a tricky match up.

However, if it’s not about unconditional enjoyment of the journey, then what is the point? We take note of external factors but we concentrate on ourselves, control what we can, don’t concern ourselves with what we can’t and we celebrate what is.

So, join us we add a teaspoon of balanced analysis, two cups of shameless celebratory commentary and more than a pinch of nonsense into a tin and bake this Cat culling summary cake.

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Is the purple climate changing? Is he taking the AFL world by storm? Should we rain in the hype? Cyclone, Dick Treacy, The Big Cohuna… or now Birdman… whatever you call him, the impactful Josh Treacy joins us for a chat.

After a few failed attempts at trying to entice Josh Treacy to come on for a chat, he finally weakened and gave us the green light. Whether it was simply because he wanted the pestering to stop or not is irreverent! The fact is he’s on and we couldn’t be happier.

We talk early footy and family life and his way to the draft and then consequent rookie draft. His feeling about getting an opportunity and having to leave the family and travel across the Nullabor.

He takes us through his time at Fremantle, his early suspensions clocking poor Brady Grey and dropping Jed Bews who he’ll meet again Saturday. We cover last week’s career best game and his future vision. Is he a Docker for life? Is he a WA boy now?

While this episode is largely focused on the cyclonic conditions, we also take a bit of a look at Saturday’s Walyalup game against Geelong in the Sir Doug Nichols round.

Like we did Sydney, are we getting the Cats at the right time? The Cats aren’t travelling all that flash and their form has at times been a little deceiving.

The midfield looks an area where we could assert some superiority. With the Cats losing Mitch Duncan and without Dangerfield, it could leave them a little light on and our inclusion of Nat Fyfe may only widen the gap.

Cameron and Hawkins are obviously the key but they also welcome back the super talented 2022 All Australian, Tyson Stengle, who kicked 3 on us down in Geelong last year. And let’s not forget Tom Stewart down the other end who intercepted galore on his way to forty touches in that game.

We’re in form, its indigenous round, we’ve got a good challenge against the Cats and we’ve got Birdman Treacy chatting away.

So, if you’re having a lazy Friday arvo, kick back further for an hour and listen to Josh Treacy cover up our nonsense.

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They’re writing their own script, directing, producing and staring in the show. Can we call it a Jackarce juggernaut yet? Time to Restump Podcast the strangling of the Swans.

It was supposed to be a daunting trip to the SCG. But when you think about it, three quarters of our team hadn’t played there so technically they hadn’t lost there! Consequently, they had no historic baggage to carry.

It was probably as polished a performance as we have put in all year, admittedly against an undermanned and undersized Swans outfit. But you can only beat who you’re up against and you still have to get the job done. Against more moderate or compromised opponents it allows you to develop your system in real time and gain valuable confidence boosting victories.

The Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson combination, known as Jackarce, ridiculously dominated the entire game. They were both beyond exceptional and they will take a lot from the last two weeks into future games against top end teams.

Something that no doubt warmed the cockles of all our purple hearts were not only the individual performances of Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy, but the functionality of the forward line, the connectivity with the mids and the cohesion as a whole. Sure, its by no means a finished and settled product but what we saw Saturday had to elevate your heart rate!

Can we stop for a moment to give Lachie Schultz some love? How this guy gets out of bed the next morning after a bruising battering performance like that is one of the great mysteries! God help this fearless man with what will be chronic aches and pains post career! That was arguably Schultzy’s career best game.

It wasn’t just all the forwards and mids though because the Captain deserves great recognition. Has he simplified his game and gone back to doing what he does best? Running straight lines and old-fashioned minimal possession gathering defending.

Are we back? Have we turned our season around? Or while we’ve shown great improvement, did we salvage two wins against similar opponents? Whatever the case we’re just a win and percentage out of the eight.

We could go on and on…. and we will on the pod.

So, if enjoying the journey and over celebrating victories that we probably should have expected, is your thing, you’re in luck because it’s ours as well. So, grab a beverage, put on your best purple togs, jump right in and join us in the conversational pool, the water is warm.

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The SCG trip usually sees the best laid plans go a rye. But a travelling Sean Darcy and Nat Fyfe combo… it is the best thing since sliced bread. Let’s quit loafing about and Restump Podcast preview the clash against the Swannies.

Four wins from eighteen attempts against Sydney at the SCG doesn’t exactly suggest happy hunting ground does it? However, we may just be getting the Swans at the right time. They’ve lost a further couple of key players and their season to date isn’t overly flash.

We’re both three and five and we’re in 11th and 12th respectively, with Sydney nudging us out occupying just a four-point superior percentage. They’ve only beaten Gold Coast Richmond and Hawthorn but they are a four goal better side at the SCG than they are away.

We’re not getting ahead of ourselves by any stretch of the imagination but we’re starting to raise a hopeful eyebrow with the view to move into cautiously optimistic territory.

Swans have lost Tom McCartin and Peter Ladhams which is pretty handy for us. McCartin’s out further stretches their defensive capabilities and Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson (JackArce) now go up against an underdone Tom Hickey and Hayden McLean combo.

We’re going in with an unchanged list, probably the best sub that has ever been and measuredly high on confidence after the performance against the Hawks.

The Swannies still have the seasoned campaigners such as the Heney’s, Franklins, Parker’s and Papleys so they have it in them to resurrect themselves. And all too often we have seemingly played teams and individuals into form over the journey. But there has been a change in mindset and a freeing up of possible shackles in recent weeks at Freo and it has led to a more polished display.

It potentially comes down to the midfield battle and the fortunes or misfortunes of Tom Papley.

Jojo is in his element with a couple of press conference sound bites, we’ve tried to make sense of the booing rules and guidelines and the Chief is campaigning for the inclusion of more taunting in the game.

We go through the game in finer detail, cover Suma’s nothingness and come up with a whole heap more bunk which isn’t outside the realms of possibility it may actually be dumbing us all down. But hey, what’s footy without the coinciding nonsense!

Bring on the Swannies and that Milo tin lid of a ground!

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He’s really just back in his rightful place so it’s more of a re-coronathan. Everyone walks a bit taller when the King of Fremantle takes to the field. Time to Restump Podcast review the conspicuously undemanding win over the Hawks.

The dice was rolled on the sub vest and it paid dividends. While it wasn’t entirely our fault, the game was well and truly under control prior to Fyfe entering. But the re-insertion of great man into the middle showed just how much we have missed his big mature body around the ball and his influence on the contest.

However, as comforting and as thrilling as it was to see Nat Fyfe run out onto the ground, it was the performance of another that was more point approvingly satisfying. Like West Coast Eagles fans at now half time, the Luke Jackson knockers were rapidly disappearing.

Something else that has disappeared is Andy Brayshaw’s knee complaint. 34 disposals and 2 goals in a very welcomed “I’m back to my best” performance.

But individuals aside it was all about the collective and its ability to show the composure with ball in hand, a much-improved skill level and a more productive balance of fast and slow ball movement.

We had our No Panicking bucket hats on standby ready to put on for calming impact but they were never required. The game never felt out of control and it is safe to say England wasn’t the only place where a procession was taking place.

However, despite the win and the more polished performance, there is little to take out of this game in terms of flick switched form. There was an uptick in system and a nod of appreciation for the increased cohesion but… let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

It was a relaxed, cantering Hawthorn who seemingly have become motorcycle enthusiasts showing great interest in obtaining a Harley of the non-Davidson variety!
But quality of opponent and season talk aside, it is just nice to see some positive and productive Freo footy resulting in a much-needed player and fan morale and spirit boosting victory.

Booing Buddy Franklin. we’re not booers but have we really reached a point in society where we’re hypocritically lectured on how to barrack or jeer? Is Matt Rowell taking veganism to even further extremes? And what could the Starlight Foundation kids have done that has them in an episode of the Neighborhood Watch?

Let’s get into it. We’ll cover all the nonsense and go through the game in finer detail while basking in the glow of the precious four points. Could that easy kill be the confidence catalyst leading to some recalibrating season form? It is never as good or as bad as it seems.

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Talk about eyes on the pick one prize! Resting their equal leading goal scorer in a team struggling to score? The Hawkers aren’t leaving anything to chance! Time to Restump Podcast preview Saturday night’s 2013 grand final repeat. (Yeah.. I know that’s overdoing it)

Does it sound like the Hawks’ priorities aren't necessarily on securing the draft pick hindering 4 points? Freo, on the other hand, are we done? Are we alive? Are we currently treading water in purgatory contemplating the glass half full, half empty positions?

Nat Fyfe is back and that surely has to give everyone on and off field a lift. Starting as the substitute seems a strange decision but we’re not privy to the information behind the move.

Great to see Josh Treacy return after a couple of solid hit outs and ten marks last week at Peel while Freddy re-joins the experimental forward line as well after recovering from injury quicker than expected.

Sad to see Sammy Sturt has been sent back to the twos. Admittedly he had a shocker last Saturday but he wasn’t on his Pat Malone and his previous two games showed encouraging signs.

For the second time in a few weeks, Will Brodie also found the axe above his neck. No doubt he’ll go back and dominate Peel’s midfield but he probably has to bring a bit more to the senior side when he next gets an opportunity.

Despite the resting of players, the Hawks that take the field won’t be resting up. They’re a plucky young talented group and they won’t make it easy for us. James Sicily is one of the best going around down back, Mitch Lewis is going to be a gun forward, Dylan Moore always dines out on us and they’ve done pretty well picking up forward Fergus Green as a mature age recruit.

It will be nice to see Lloyd “Braun” Meek back in WA and you can imagine he’ll want to put his best foot forward…. or his best knee in a Darcy or Jackson kidney. Good contest this week with Darcy and Jackson (JackArce) taking on Ned Reeves and Meek.

You’d be an optimist to think we’re still alive in season 2023 as far as finals are concerned but stranger things have apparently happened. However, really in this game we just need to see some system, some structure, some composure and some cohesiveness.

The worrying aspect here is that this is a game in which there is little to gain but plenty to lose. That alone creates pressure and pressure does funny things.

We’ve got no first round pick to worry about so lets just go hell for leather and win whatever we can win.

And on that note, let’s get into it. Unless you’ve got sock drawers need tidying, grass growing or paint drying that needs to be watched. Relax, pull on your Captain’s special no panicking bucket hat, bung this nonsense in your ears and join us for 45 minutes that you’ll never be able to get back!

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Gotta hand it to those Maccas marketers! They’ve just increased their Fremantle foot traffic by over 70%. Time to Restump Podcast review Saturday’s hot and cold patched performance against the overpowering Lions.

We got a look at a fast pace free-wheeling Freo side and at times it looked competent. But game styles are irrelevant when you struggle to perform the basics. There is no other way to frame it, it was a dropped mark and fumble riddled performance.

There was a suggestion humid dewy conditions were playing havoc… except they didn’t seem too problematic for Brisbane, Brandon Walker and Jordan Clark!

It was a near on 50-point thumping but had we taken the chances we created, it may well have been… maybe not a different result... but a more respectable scoreboard. Yes I know, coulda woulda shoulda!

Controversial call…. we don’t know about everyone else but we saw patches and green shoots to suggest we’re not too far away. We’re prepared to say the widespread expressed disappointment is greater than the issues.

Sure, the clearances are lacking, our urgency could be upped, proactiveness would be nice and some cohesion would be handy but the nucleus is there, and it’s a nucleus of talented kids a couple of years away from where their Brisbane opponents are now. Some tinkering and polishing up of the rebuild, some aging and some games into them and the disappointment will subside.

This isn’t to sugar coat Saturday because again if you can’t hit a handball on the full, kick to advantage, take a simple chest mark and get in your opponent’s personal space… we’re simply Talking Heads and we’re on the road to nowhere.

We’re not the most skilled in the league at our best but we’re better than what we dished up Saturday. Lachie Schultz doesn’t turn it over 6 times in 16 touches, neither does Sonny do likewise from 11 disposals!

Where to now? Will Fyfe come back and be impactful? With Corbett and Treacy looking for opportunity, where does that leave Sturt? Should Erasmus be almost guaranteed a long term spot this year?

If we’re persisting with the fast pace running game, is Ethan Hughes on shaky ground? Surely that’d suit Liam Henry’s game? Do we need to check Colin Young’s white board now that Kozzy Picket has re-signed?

Enough of that all that here, its time to get into it.

Nothing to overly celebrate but plenty of chatter to be had. So why not join us for this hour of Freo fanfare as we’ll no doubt ironically fumble and bumble our way through not only Saturday’s critique, but all the other usual Docker drivel as well.

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The captain has had it rough of late and copped his share of heat but let’s not forget how good he actually is. Never a better time to respond than when you’re entering the Lion’s den. Time to Restump Podcast preview Saturday’s rumble in the Brisbane jungle.

There is a lot of Docker disappointment and disenchantment around and for a season full of, so far, failed expectations, it is understandable. However, sometimes you need the almost impossible challenge to snap you out of the trance.

There is arguably no bigger challenge right now than meeting the current Lions on their home Gabba deck. It is a ridiculously tough task any time but, at the moment, when the Brissie boys have gone all in over the last three weeks, clicked up a gear and set their season up… it’s an even scarier proposition. Add to that that we’re just 4 wins from 15 attempts at the Gabba… holy Christmas!

We welcome back the vitally important Switta who should add some much needed speed and bite while the Disco has been asked to join in and bring his dance moves. Freddy is out for a month with the quad injury and Corey Wagner has been given a spell in the twos.

The milestone men, Jimmy Aish and Jaegar O’Meara, each play their 150th. And coincidently they both play it at their third club and in the state they both started their careers in. If you listened to their press conference today you kind of got the feeling Jaegar is about to release the shackles.

As far as the game goes, who stops Charlie Cameron? Can we at least curtail our former man, Lachie Neale? Recent dog Josh Dunkley is a handful, Joe Daniher is in decent nick, Jack Gunston can get under or over your guard and while Cam Rayner has been in the system a while now, he’s starting to show why he went at pick number one in 2017. We could go on and on because on paper the Lions have heat on every line.

No shortage of happenings, the Dees are going hard to get pick one, Jacob Weitering coughed up a few bucks, Tassie looks like they’re getting a Stratco shed and the Sicilian might just get a Sicilian welcome next time he ventures to the Apple Isle. Plenty going on, except panic. There’s no panicking going on, the panic button has not been pressed!

So, all that in further detail and a $750 million dollar Tassie shedload more in this 45 minutes. It’s been a negative week but we’re at that point of the cycle where we’re moving into hope and optimism. If you’re keen to throw away some valuable minutes of your life…. you couldn’t do much worse than listening to this nonsense.

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Was it the Boomtown Rats who sang, “Tell me why, we didn’t want Mundy, tell me why..?” Speaking of expressive music, is the great man sending us some sort of signal with his Carole King cover here? Sadly, it’s time to Restump Podcast the Friday night washup.

If the Bulldogs were actual canines, they’d have been rounded up and impounded for the mauling on Friday night. We started picking up the pieces Saturday morning but its tough task and we’ve still got a few days work ahead of us.

Are we over complicating the issues in looking for reasons? Are we ignoring the reality that we’re literally relying on a list of kids? Everything starts in the middle and when you go in with almost 500 games less experience and almost 4 years younger than your opponent’s, just in the centre, do we start asking ourselves, how did we not see that potentially coming?

This isn’t giving the club an out because it isn’t the only issue but it does kind of feel like we’re starting from behind the eight ball and we've little to no option to do otherwise.

Are we finally coming to the realisation that we may have over-achieved last year? There were a number of wins under two kicks and a draw with Richmond. The age and experience we allowed to leave will help us in the longer term but, did we over estimate our ability to cover it in the short term?

Are these lines of thought too simplistic? Are they the foundational problems on which others have developed?

It was a magnificent week, a sensational build up but a devastating anti-climax. The last seven days epitomised the extremes of the Freo Docker supporting roller coaster ride experience.

Let’s get into it, Jojo McDonnell’s footy brain and insights are as sharp as anyone’s so he’ll have some answers… hopefully!

So, come along for the chat, our spirits need lifting, we all need to bind together, lean on each other and talk it out.

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Been a big week at the Restump and we’re keen to get back to talking actual footy. Time for some ‘English’ lessons as we Restump preview podcast tomorrow night’s Len Hall clash against Rory and the Rovers.

It’s been a riot and we’ve had a boat load of laughs but its nice to get back to talking about the game. We’re two and three after five games…. If we’re three and three after six we might start to believe we’re back on track.

The Dogs are somewhat in the same boat as us, and in more ways than one. They’re two and three, their ball movement isn’t super and they struggle to score. But with the Bontempelli’s, Treloar’s Mcraes and Naughton’s…. if they click they can be slick!

But let’s not undersell their opponents! A James Aish will be ready to go to work in the middle if necessary, the almost unstoppable Caleb Serong, future captain Andy Brayshaw and Will Brodie at their collective best are as good as what’s going around. And let’s not forget about a confidence feasting Jye Amiss and the evergreen Sonny Walters!

Tim English could actually hold the key here. He’s been in startling form, both in advantageous ruck craft and possession around the ground. Jackson and Darcy, otherwise known as Jackarce, hopefully have taken English lessons and know how to exploit him.

In case you haven’t heard…. Rory is back in town! This could be one of the most amazing crowd experiences at Optus tomorrow night and we can’t wait. Far be it from us to tell punters what to do, but we’re sure 99.99% of us know where the line is. Let’s go our hardest make it as hostile as possible and one for the memory books.

The Lobsters Tears has sold out but for those in the vicinity of Secret Harbour, The Harbour Sports Bar has limited supply. They are offering them up tomorrow evening and are doing a giveaway. So, check in with them if you’re keen.

Plenty more game talk on the pod and we hear about something regarding a journalist that has gotten under the skin of the usually calm, measured and unflappable Jojo McDonnell. Believe it or not, the Chief brings us home after reviving the segment we all hoped was dead and buried, the Neighbourhood Watch.

So, the hours between now and bouncedown are fast counting down but there might still be room for 40 minutes of Restump nonsense.

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The price of gold is sky rocketing and Sonny just keeps producing it! He may well be the first player to 'sort of' bookend a coast-to-coast play. Time to Restump Podcast the season saving win over the Suns.

All we were after was the four points. It was quite simple, lose and we were done and dusted. Win and there is proof of purple life.

It wasn’t the most polished performance and, to be fair and balanced, the Suns were on the treadmill in the last quarter. But it is a war of attrition and the reality is if you’re out there you’re classed as fit.

Sonny Walters kept us alive in that first half and he was joined by Caleb Serong who put in an unbelievable four quarter, three vote winning, captaincy signalling performance.

Kicking 3 goals 2 and giving one off to Matt Johnson, Jye Amiss suggested it should be a long time before we see him at Peel again. His leading at the ball carrier… we had joyous tears in our eyes.

We need to persist with Sammy Sturt who showed glimpses of his capabilities, while Schultzy was typical tough hard workmanlike Shultzy. He somehow got hit by a MacPherson truck at speed and the truck came off second best.

While the second gamer Ned Moyle put up a spirited effort, Sean Darcy was all over him and, just quietly, the Jackson knockers would be getting a bit nervous as he’s on the verge of a monster game.

The somewhat different forward line showed signs of functionality and in a reversal of recent form our midfield got on top and took the contest. The four points was the primary goal but the added bonuses we’ll gladly accept.

We ask if Gather Round was as good as the hype? Did the Stealth jumper work? Did Jack Lukosius have covid? If not, why did we treat him as if he did? And does Corey Wagner need to have the rust wire-brushed off him?

We’re alive in season 2023 and it’s off to Optus Friday to play the much anticipated grudgiest of grudge matches against Rory and his Western Rovers. Our Round Six Rory campaign will kick into high gear this week but we got bowled over in the rush and it looks like we’ve sold out of the Lobster Tears!

Anyway, further details on the pod so, as always, if you’ve got nothing better to do and you can’t find anything better to listen to, then, as long as you’ve double checked, you’re more than welcome to join in on our nonsense here.

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Sammy Sturt returns after almost two years to the day. Four games, five goals in a Freo forward line… fill your boots, Sammy! Time to Restump preview podcast Friday’s vital game against the Suns.

It is simply a must win game. Coming back from one win and three losses is doable but coming back from one win and four losses is near on impossible.

It is pretty exciting to see Sammy Sturt finally get back in the team and it will be interesting to see how different the forward line functions.

We welcome mature age recruit and former North Melbourne and Melbourne player, Corey Wagner who may bring some much-needed age and experience… well 19 games of experience anyway!

Matt Johnson comes into the starting twenty-two and its comforting having flipper Freddy back in the fold.

Given we both obviously struggle to score, Gold Coast being in a very similar precarious position as us isn’t the only problematic issue we share. So, this game could well be won by who manages to not quite score the least!

Well with this game being shunted to a suburban ground at the weird Friday afternoon time slot of 3.10pm WA time, we’ll get to find out soon enough.

We have a chat about the Fyfe injury and the Suma misinformation, Andy Brayshaw’s knee niggle and Jojo gives us an update on Round Six Rory campaign and Lobster Tears.

If you’re looking for something to throw some minutes away on between now and the game…. read a book or talk to your family! But once you’ve done that feel free to listen to this racket.

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The switch doesn't seem flickable and we threw the bathwater out two weeks ago. Is it the baby's turn to go? Have the wheels completely fallen off? Time to somehow pick up the pieces again and Restump Podcast today’s massacre at the Crow Chateau.

When you’re struggling for form often the answer is you go back to the basics. The question is though what do you go back to when you’re butchering the basics?

Most players out there had mares today. However, Caleb Serong should be passing around the hat to pay for the extra physio he’ll need on his shoulders from carrying the workload!

It was actually a game of conflicting emotions and extreme emotional swings. There was the deep frustration at the lack of simple ball skills but then there was the somewhat neck saving from the noose realisation that despite the belting on the scoreboard, we each went inside 50, 51 times.

Sure, it’s obviously cold consolation, but a tad of finesse and composure and some sort of a functional forward line and we’re in competitive territory, despite the issues across the board.

Speaking of such a forward line, with two Joshs’ Treacy and Corbett and a Sam Sturt hovering, will any of the trio get a look in? If we have a fit foot on a Fyfe, does he replace the struggling Matty Tabs? If nothing else it will be an interesting week at the selection table because surely a message has to be sent after a performance like that one today.

But anyway the reality is we’re one and three and probably one loss away from the 2023 curtains. It’s a little disheartening and not the position we thought we would be in at the start of the year.

However, as Bob Murphy mentioned on the recent pod, there are no certainties in footy because the ball is an oval shape and its unpredictable. At this point in time we’re willing to put our faith in Bob’s words.

It was an uninspiring game and it probably makes for an uninspiring review. But Jojo has quite the analytical mind and sharp football brain so maybe he’ll have some answers for us.

If you can muster up the effort and intent that was lacking out there today, dig deep and put your head over the Restump podcast ball, then there are 40 minutes of pondering the whys, the how's, the what happened and the what happens next, right here.

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Ok we’re just having too much fun now. We’re like big kids in a Lobster Tears liquor store!

We've been chasing him for quite a while but we couldn't get past his rock solid defences. However, the great Bob Murphy has now generously given us an hour of his precious time and yes… we asked why as well.

Whether he was carrying an injury and we exploited it or, more likely, he thought 'bloody hell... I'll do this and hopefully they'll leave me alone'... we don't know. The point is the universally loved former Dog now Docker had a chat with us.

We had little time to prepare but hopefully it is as enjoyable listening to it as it was recording it.

That's enough from us, it is time to let Bob do the talking.

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Did Freddy flip the birds in more ways than one? It probably should have come with a “don’t try this at home warning” Time to Restump Podcast review yesterday’s season saving victory.

Are we seeing our own Rachel Hunter moment? "It won’t happen overnight but it will happen." Forget the result, it wasn’t perfect yesterday but the applied and executed game plan, it was a big step in the right direction…. not to mention so much more exciting!

Again, it is far from the polished final product but faster ball movement saw a much more functional forward line.

Yes, West Coast fans can cry injuries as excuses all they want but at the end of the day it’s a war of attrition. It is survival of the fittest!

How good it was to see Luke Jackson perform after his despicable treatment he copped by The West last week. Did Jye Amiss just cement his spot and what about the great Sonny Walters? Vintage Sonny!

Two Rosco Allans for Caleb Serong who was back to his brilliant best. Andy Brayshaw had a quieter game but was there doing Andy Brayshaw things when we desperately needed them.

Jojo has the full details on our Round Six Rory campaign and the Lobster Tears beverage and he has some developing news on a potential pod guest. Unfortunately, we have to endure The Chief taking a crack at a recent guest and of course he wants to talk dissent.

There is so much to talk about and we can’t wait. So, if you want to continue the moment, enjoying the win and talking everything and anything Fremantle footy… pour yourself a pint, park your piece, purple up and press play!

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Peel Thunder legend Will Schofield was extremely generous with his time in joining us to talk all things Fremantle footy and the upcoming Western Derby. Time to Restump Podcast with Schoey.

It’s a bit of a different one this week and while we covered a lot of ground we use the “preview" term very loosely. To be honest, the only disappointing thing from our Fremantle oriented perspective was that… Will Schofield is just too nice a guy!

As we edge closer to the Bulldogs game we release a sneak peek at the racket that is our round six Rory initiative and it’s safe to say Will Schofield is a buyer!

Plenty more and we bring it home with a Neighbourhood Watch segment with a lot of guest engagement.

If you’re throwing away 40 minutes and you don’t care for the health of your ears, by all means bung this nonsense in em.

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How do we dig ourselves out this deep hole we find ourselves in? Even if only to fast track the grieving process, its time to Restump Podcast whatever that was tonight.

It was a tough game to watch, a tough result to swallow and just as tough a game to talk about. I’d suggest we’re at a loss for words, but we can’t take two losses tonight!

Where are we? What are we doing here? Is this even real? Where do we go from here?

Is it a problem we could 4C? Cohesion, connection, composure and clearances. We’re lacking all four and until we find the key and unlock the puzzle, we’re going to remain in some level of pain.

So, like us, if you’re in a current state of shock, if you’re devastated or disenchanted and you just need to work through it; lay down on the couch, get your ears comfortable and join the collective for a much needed therapy session.

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Round one is old news. It’s time to bounce into round two and Restump Podcast Freo’s Saturday evening Kangas clash. We really need to pinch the four points.

Yes, it hurt last week but the reaction was massively overblown. It almost makes you wonder if there is an outrage race? Who can be most the outlandish? Anyway, we said its old news so we move on.

It is Griff’s first home coming but, as interesting as that will be, we have bigger fish to fry… like not being zero and two.

Josh Treacy wasn’t on his Pat Malone in having a ‘Barry Crocker’ last week but it seems he drew the short straw. Given sub vest stalwart Bailey Banfield has been moved into the twenty-two at Treacy’s expense, was the move for structural reasons or has the Cyclone taken one for the team?

Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Matt Johnson and Sonny Walters are all in the mix for Banfield’s vest. Power of deduction suggests, Treacy and Amiss don’t have the versatility required for the role. Surely we’re not debuting Johnson under vest conditions? That leaves Sonny Walters and again, I am not sure how I feel about that.

After being over confident and catastrophically wrong last week, we’re trying to be gun-shy, or at least a little more reserved about our chances against North. But its too difficult… there is no way this Fremantle team doesn’t respond in the most emphatic of ways.

North won’t be a push over. They have a formidable midfield and obviously a wonderful coach, but we have their measure across the board. We do… don’t we? Please tell us we do!

You should never wish any precious time of your life away! Now that been said, we’re looking to offload as many of the tick tocks between now and early Saturday evening as we can because we can’t wait.

So, if you’re in a similar mode, there’s 40 minutes of nonsensical purple stuff to throw away here!

Cobwebs have been blown to smithereens; our season restarts Saturday.

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The only mark we didn’t make on the day was that in the win column. Tough day against a typical Rossco regime. But there’s no panic here, only pragmatism. Time to Restump Podcast review round one.

It was a tough loss to endure. Expectations were high, excitement was in the air and the Sainters had a ton of their best out. There was cause for optimism. Did we mistakenly overlooked the Ross the Boss component and his ability to deliver in spades something we should have seen coming?

Did Collingwood produce a step-by-step plan on how to dismantle us Dockers in last season’s semi-final? Ross mentioned he analytically went to town on that game and, as he has the knack for doing, got his young plucky chargers to reconstruct parts of it.

There is no hiding from the fact we struggled to cope with the defensive running of the Saints. It saw our slow possession play further suffer as we couldn’t get any run and carry going. Our forwards suffered as a result but their own systematic incoherence has to carry some of the blame.

A more measured assessment recalls that Fyfe, Jackson and, to a lesser extent, Treacy are all new components of a forward line that didn’t exactly enjoy great functionality last year. Practice matches and preseason games only reveal so much. Add in a Sam Sturt and possibly a Josh Corbett to the mix and you can see we’re going to remain in experimental mode for a while yet.

With our mids getting demolished, should Fyfe have gotten the tap on the shoulder to venture in there and level up the contest?

Did the Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson combo, otherwise known as Jackarce, show enough in the debut performance?

Was Jaegar O’Meara carrying a bit more of an ankle that we may know?

There is so much to methodically unpack from what was, in context, a demoralising loss. There is no shadow of a doubt failing to bank those four points was an opportunity lost and one we may look back on with further grief come the end of the season.

But are we throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Well, babies don’t deserve that treatment and you know…. with water restrictions today…. I think we’ll hang on to both.

Its round one, it might be a simple case of getting stung and taken by surprise. Ross the Boss may have left us with some pain on Sunday but he previously left us with the philosophy that failure is feedback. We get the benefit of the early loss to know what needs improving. Dwell in negativity and you’ll manifest more of it.

So join us as we dig deep, probably deeper than we dug out there on Sunday, into the wash up and look further into what went wrong, what went right, what was, what wasn’t, what could have been and what needs to be done.

Will we solve the purple problems? Highly doubtful but we’ll air the grievances, spin the positives and just enjoy having footy back.

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Maybe it’s the buildup and we’re over excited and maybe we’re getting carried away… but the Saints are going to need a Sunday prayer! Time to Restump Podcast preview Freo’s round one against Ross.

It is the first time since 2011 we have to face Ross Lyon as an opposing coach but we’d be pretty confident we’ll get a defensive oriented contest. To be fair to the Sainters they’re the walking wounded but that won’t stop a Ross Lyon team making it a hard grind.

Selection talking points surround Brandon Walker being overlooked for the deserving and returning Nathan Wilson and Freddy coming in off a light preseason to replace the unlucky Sammy Sturt. Could Sturty steal Bailey Banfield’s sub vest?

Great to see Josh Treacy command a gig and Liam Henry has been rewarded for his hard work and growth over the preseason.

With Ross Lyon reuniting with Bradley Hill, could we see the form of our former winger detrimentally return against us?

The people who thought Blake Acres was a steal and suggested we were crazy for letting him walk for a third rounder might have had a couple of second thoughts. Gotta take the good with the bad with Blakey Acres.

Despite getting around in the flashy digs on the golf course today, Jojo McDonnell didn’t really commit either way on the pre-game fashion show talk. However, the more practical Chief wants that putridly theatrical initiative knocked on the head quick smart.

Anyway, its almost here. Sunday lunch time our season gets underway as we break bread with and then toast the Saints! For a bit of a more exciteful than insightful preview, use up 40 minutes of waiting time with us.

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Just hours until the Saints on Sunday! We’re as nervous as a hot air balloonist in the US. Good nerves though. Time to Restump Podcast the 2023 feasibility of the Freo plan.

The real stuff is almost here and we’re beside ourselves. There is just something about this upcoming year that has us up and about with more anticipation than usual.

Holistically speaking, are we in the best shape we’ve been in for the start of a season? While there is the odd injury, few seem serious and there aren’t too many that wont be pushing for round one.

Is Luke Ryan going to get up and join his mate Brennan in that formidable defensive duo against the Ross Lyon Saints? Can the sum of parts equal the whole?

It appears the hard working and opportunity grabbing Ethan Hughes, or apparently Dethen Hucker if you're seeing the images used in the press, has cemented a spot on the wing for round one.

There is a bit of a grapevine chatter that the great Sonny Walters may don the sub vest? We’re not sure what to make of that… it doesn’t quite sit well.

What are the odds? I mean odds aren’t only for gamblers. They’re opinionated indicators for potential performance. They’re simply the result of often educated or informed research expressed as percentages of which we can learn a lot from without having to part with a single peso.

Including the outside thoughts or the movements of the satchel swingers in the conversation simply assists in covering the assessment angles.

So in this calm before the purple storm episode we take a look at what the number runners are suggesting.

We’re five days from bounce down and we can’t shut up. So if you’re looking for some soothing silence in which to relax… you’ve come to the wrong place. So as you're here, you may as well get your purple ears front and centre and jostling for position early with this hour of new season week nonsense.

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Is Liam Henry about to Wing in the new AFL year? Preseason done and dusted and just a fortnight until the real stuff. Time to Restump Podcast everything remotely purple.

It was a handy final hit out Friday against Port. Few things to work on, a few gears to click up but you couldn’t have asked for much more.

We look at the highlights, player positions and scoring sources. Were there any areas of concern?

Sean Darcy wrapped up his preseason with a wonderful performance, Nat Fyfe is manufacturing goals and has Josh Treacy cemented a round one berth?

Through injury and no fault of his own, has the Disco had his wing clipped?

Is Sammy Sturt going to be a round one hard luck story?

Will Brodie looks set for a monster year. He and his two midfield mates Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw filled their boots while we got to see the real importance of Jaegar O’Meara.

The Chief has seen something he didn’t like about our beloved Lachie Schultz consequently putting him on notice and Jojo is asking the question, can we have conservative and measured expectations?

We take a look at the wealthy McGovern Bros and their simultaneously signed eleventy squillion dollar contracts and we start to wonder if Teflon Trent Cotchin has some incriminating information or photographs.

We’re on Lob Watch and then we bring it home with the Neighbourhood Watch.

So if all the usual nonsense around some sporadically sprinkled seriousness bakes your cake, by all means pull up a chair, grab a cup of Bob’s ginger tea and have a listening slice of this opinionated purple pastry.

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The Captain Pearce secret didn’t really fly under the Radar. But as captain, do we need to worry about his Klingers… I mean… clangers… by foot? Time to Restump Podcast all the purple happenings.

It is pretty much old news now but the captaincy just fits perfectly on Alex Pearce. He’ll lead admirably like he has done his entire career and we’re looking forward to the documentary A Day In the Fyfe Of Alex Pearce in the future!

Co-vice captains? It was a bit of a soft and hard taco shell decision in regards to Brayshaw and Serong so they said “why not have both?”

What did we learn from the 18 quarters of mix and match scratch match? Something, nothing, anything?

Nat Fyfe looks like he’s going to be a handful for defenders, Sammy Sturt showed encouraging signs and Josh Treacy put forward his claims for round one.

Our new ruck combo… how did Jackarce fare? Hard not to like Jackson’s ground work nearly as much as his aerial attributes.

Did we get a good enough look at Jaegar O’Meara? Probably not, but then again enough to not dampen any previous thoughts about him.

We had a bit of a bopeep at the documentary, Show Me The Money II. Rory Lobb, as, we all knew, didn’t come off well and Griff may not have been that far behind him. However, the take out from the doco was similar to the take out from last year, and that was…. why?

The ever-diplomatic Justin Longmuir got a right of reply recently to Lobb’s and Griff’s comments and disappointingly he didn’t take the duo to task. He opted to professionally put the fire out when the Chief was hoping he’d tip a jerry can on it.

The Chief continues his overdone and nonsensical almost intrusive Bob campaign while Jojo is leading the charge to have all the basketball courts in his suburb shut down, citing noise pollution.

Round one is on our doorstep. So if you’re someone who doesn’t have enough purple nonsense in your life, by all means feel free to top up on ours.

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It’s been a Stop-Sturt career to date. But have we just seen the Summer of Sam? Time to Restump Podcast all the latest Freo Fanfare.

Preseason snippets have us hoping Sammy Sturt has found the intensity JL called for. Are we about to see the emergence of a talented forward?

Season launch was today and it looks like we’re running with a new slogan “Stop at Nothing”. Given that is potentially open to fanatical interpretation, let’s hope they thought it through and accompanied it with some context.

Late injuries to Sonny, Freddy, Josh Corbett and Wagner aren’t ideal but the Disco and Brennan Cox are recovering and on the charge.

Peter Bell responded masterfully to Rory Lobb’s previous comments in an interview and suggested that Fremantle is rapidly becoming a destination club. With that in mind, is this why Belly is keeping a more focused eye on Aaron Naughton and Mitch Georgiades?

The Chief believes we should somewhat temper 2023 expectations. Is this crazy talk and are we even entertaining such a preposterous line of thinking?

Despite the pressure for positions, the forward line set up still remains the great unknown. It seems like every week we have a crack at it but we just can’t get comfortable and confident enough to come up with a cohesive and productive six. We try once more.

Bob Murphy joined Pav to give us all a bit of insight into how he sees things, Luke Ryan said he’s no Cerra and refused several interstate offers, Damian Drum returns to coaching and is two games suspension for Jack Jiffyvan extremely lenient? It snow laughing matter!

All that, boatloads more and then we bring it home with another horrendously poor episode of the latest instalment of the Neighbourhood Watch segment, a segment that looks to be well and truly on its last legs.

We’re almost at round one but before then we get a little taster on Friday. So, If you’re looking to bridge the Docker divide between now and then, by all means wrap your listening gear around this purple billabong.

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Did Fyfey faucet and step down or was the tap on the shoulder remnants of the re-plumb and re-pipe era? Time to Restump Podcast all the angles and purple town news.

Did Nat Fyfe deserve the opportunity to become Fremantle’s first premiership captain? Or does he believe his best chance at a cup was to relinquish the captaincy responsibility to focus on his game?

Was he given a nudge or did he voluntarily step down? If so, who loaded the gun? Is it the right time to change captains? Will it change anything? Who gets the gig? Could we venture into the world of co-captains? All questions that need discussion.

If we’re reading the play correctly it feels like Jimmy Aish may spend more time as an inside mid this year. How that will work is something we’ll have some sort of go at but more likely leave it up to the purple powers that be.

Has Sammy Sturt reached the required intensity levels? Is the forgotten man flying under the radar? Is he now the work horse and consequently a dark horse?

Several flashes of brilliance and pristine field kicking has put some doubt in the Liam Henry knockers.

Another Rory Lobb article, another whine! Surely, he must know by now his reception in round 6 couldn’t possibly be any more hostile?

And speaking of players that didn’t work out for us, Harley Bennell wants one more shot at it. At 30 years of age, he’s obviously quite the optimist but he may be seen as value in the mid-season draft. Whether he makes it onto a list or not, the VFL’s gain though is the Harvey Bull’s loss.

By all the endless reports, Carlton is travelling well domestically. However, some international concerns have apparently arisen.

Watching the regular match simulations and noting our largely very healthy list, we’re desperately trying to not fall into that preseason form trap. Because we all know that…. oh to hell with it, it’s too exciting, we’re jumping in head first. Shackles are off!

We’re just 3 weeks away from the first official preseason game and just 34 days away from round one. Where the hell did January go? I’m pretty sure Christmas was last Sunday!

So, if like us, you’re restless, full of nerves and anticipation and struggling to contain your excitement, then bung this hour of Docker drivel into your cranium car doors and join us and the Freo folk who’s ears can never be purpled enough.

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Player agents would get someone else to take their bath for them if they could. Apparently, the ridiculousness has kicked off early this year. Well two can play that game so its time to Restump Podcast our own brand of purple nonsense.

Colin Young is up and about extra early this year having started his customary chain of shenanigan events. Is there anything in the story or is he strategically concocting, dropping and denying rumours?

Our Fremantle Club has a substantial and rare challenge on their hands. Erasmus and Johnson need game time but how, when and where will their minutes come from? Could it be we implement a gigantic game of musical chairs?

Some big bets have been placed on Fremantle to win the premiership. Is it smart, strategic or silly money?

Jojo has gotten his back up this week. He isn’t happy with the paper cup fiasco at Optus and wants to brainstorm solutions. He’s also not impressed with the AFL payment distribution and on top of all that he wants a wild card for a team to make the finals.

We’re still a few of weeks away from some real preseason business but there’s always something purple to ponder, produce or prop up. So, if you’re not getting enough purple in your audio diet, bung this nonsense in your ears and fix your docker deficiencies.

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With the 2023 season starting to appear on the horizon, has the magnitude of the previously unthinkable Jackson and Darcy duo reality really dawned on us? Time to Restump Podcast ponder that very question and so many more.

While some weren’t, and maybe still aren’t, keen on Luke Jackson and what he has cost, the possibilities of what now lies ahead of us are extremely exciting.

Sean Darcy already pretty much an established combative top 3 competition ruckman joined by the 21 year old premiership winning super skilled and athletically blessed prototype for the modern day player, Luke Jackson. This just doesn’t happen! You don’t get to put this type of complimenting duo together in these specific positions when both are at such young ages. It’s a credit to the Freo crew for somehow being able to do it.

Does this preseason feel different to you? The regularity of match simulation drills seems highly strategic and a different path to the season than usual. We take a look at who seems to be shaping up where.

Where is Josh Treacy at? With Josh Corbet, Luke Jackson, Nat Fyfe all wanting a slice of the forward pie, Treacy will need to come with an appetite. And let’s not forget Sammy Sturt will be looking for a forward feed.

Are we in the embryonic stage of an embarrassment of midfield riches? You don’t bring an O’Meara in to play down at Peel. Neil Erasmus and Matt Johnson need blooding and games under the belt but when you’ve got a Serong, a Brayshaw and a Brodie…. someone is losing that game of musical chairs.

So much more to contemplate. The forward setups, the wings, the forgotten men of the purple, the captaincy, Switta’s subtle drive by at Rory Lobb’s expense and Jojo’s artificial intelligence instigated poetry.

The Chief has the first Neighbourhood Watch segment for 2023 and Jojo wants to know are people watching Married at First Sight or Survivor tonight and which programs players will tune into.

Yes, we know it’s January but Christmas feels like yesterday and it was actually over a month ago! (Who the hell is in charge of time… Freddy?) So, we’re up and into it, jostling for position trying to keep a lid on our upcoming purple season anticipation and if you’ve got nothing better to do, and you’ve double checked, then feel free to come along for the nonsensical ride.

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Caleb just Back ended another 4 years in purple for an extra Nickel! We’ll get off the cricket couch for an hour and Restump Podcast all the Christmas / New Year Freo news.

There was little to no fear that Caleb Serong would be wearing anything but purple in the foreseeable future but having him lock in on Christmas Day for a further 4 years just made the season a little more festive.

Tommy Sheridan had Griff Logue and Darcy Tucker on his podcast and the former Freo folk gave us a little bit of an insight into their departures. Were Darcy Tucker’s interesting comments a little Lobb like? Or have we read too much into them?

Club captaincy remains the topic of Chinese whispers. Will Nat Fyfe step down or retain the honour? Does Andy Brayshaw take on the responsibility now or after Alex Pearce wears the crown?

Have the Freo girls got a Head coach yet? Does anyone know who may be a Rough chance? We check in on Bob and see what he’s up to.

Jojo is disgracefully campaigning for the Americanisation of our sport wanting the AFL to promote the initiative where players roll into the ground in all types of preposterous gear! Feel free to let him know your thoughts.

Overdosing on cricket and looking for a change may well explain the reasons we’re talking Freo footy in January. Or we’re just overly eager and can’t wait for the season to return. Whatever the case, if you’re starved of some purple noise, feel free to bung this nonsense in your ears. As always, we offer no guarantees or refunds!

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When you knock back bigger offers to stay at Freo you get a lot of love for life. It is the silly season which is highly appropriate for this episode of the Restump Podcast.

Luke Ryan signing up for life is as good a get as you could ever hope for and it’s testament to the club and it’s culture. No doubt it also says he likes how he is being coached.

Fixtures are out. Friday arvo game at Norwood, we’re playing Brisbane, Sydney and Geelong twice… the AFL really put the fix in fixture!

Is the term ‘grudge match’ being used too loosely? Admittedly, round 6 against the Western Lobradors commands such a title. It’s always grudgey against the West Coast Eagles and there is an elevated animosity level towards Adam Cerra. But there is little to no deep dislike for Griff Logue and Darcy Tucker at North and there are few, if any, among us that won’t forever be grateful of Ross Lyon’s tenure. The defining criteria of a grudge seemingly needs tightening up.

Do we need to reel in and place a lid on the Luke Jackson training track hype? Its doing a bit more than simmering.

The Chief took too many liberties and had a go at the WA Media awards, the climate crew attacking the club over Woodside and then had the audacity to put a question mark over Nathan O’Driscoll. We did say it is the silly season!

Jojo has shifted into holiday mode. He has taken his finger off the pulse and consequently forgot to switch the right microphone on. He’s a bit echoey but the caveman got it done.

So, if you’re looking to block out the relentless, almost inescapable sound of Christmas Carols, there’s 50 minutes of overly exaggerative purple silly season shenanigans right here.

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If Rory Lobb was Peter Garrett the song would be bridges instead of beds that were burning. Time to Restump Podcast the grenades that have been Lobbed our way. Plus all the latest news in purple shoes.

It’s difficult to wonder what Rory’s thought process is as he torches the club that provided him $2 million plus. And if he is actually oblivious to his own comments, how has someone close to him not told him to reel it in? Either way, we’re all surely now looking forward to our future clashes with the Dogs.

On his way to round one, Neil Erasmus thought he’d stop in at hospital for a night to rehydrate after a big day on the training track. Most people use the pub but each to their own.

We take a further look at the draftees and see if we learned anything after their press conferences and meanwhile Caleb’s brother Liam Serong and Sam Stubbs are apparently making their way to Freo on a train. Oh wait they could be making their way to Freo to train on… whatever… there is a train involved!

The great Aaron Sandilands has apparently hung up the size 18 ruck coach’s boots as Beau McDonald has been appointed to the role. We ask the question was Sandi pushed? And if so how many men did it take?

Talking about people getting pushed out, we’ve got a round one ripper against the great Ross Lyon and his Sainters and we can’t wait for that. A super slimmed and streamlined Nat Fyfe is also on his way to round one and potentially a Weight Watchers contract.

Sonny Walters had an ominous start to his preseason unable to enter the club with a faulty door lock wristband… hmm faulty or hacked? But Blake Acres has no such problem at the Blues as he continues to be the talk of the football world. It’s as if he’s the pivotal piece of Carlton’s premiership puzzle!

Summer has just started and likewise we’re only warming up. We’ve got a plate full of purple particulars to paddle through so if you’re bored out of your skull and desperate for your Freo fanfare fix…. friends Romans, countrymen… lend us your ears for 45 minutes of this Restump Podcast nonsense.

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Looks like the Freo crew have bet on red. And, going on their recent draft table craft, Hugh could argue with the decisions? Time to Restump Podcast the purple people we plucked from the player pool.

Without the rich draft capital at our disposal this year it was always going to be a trickier process. But when the dust settled this morning its difficult to be disappointed.

The Freo team filled the needs, punted on some wants, added some development projects and managed to include some insurance. Not an easy feat!

We go over the new recruits and run the shoulda, coulda, woulda theories.

The lads are back at the club and if the photos are accurate, they’ve returned in better than decent nick! They’re not only looking flash, they’re turning out flash performances in early time trials.

Neil Erasmus has shown his round one intention with two 1km run wins. Caleb Serong snared the 3rd while Heath Chapman outstayed them all and brought home the 4th.

We take another look at the Jackson Darcy combo story which continues to develop. Who plays where for how long?

Is Caleb Serong getting a chance to possibly play with young brother Liam? Is there a strategy to potentially giving Liam the train on position?

We wish Connor Blakely all the best with his second chance at the Gold Coast after being plucked with pick 7 in the rookie draft. However, as it’s arguably the surfing capital of Australia, should our best wishes go to the Gold Coast Suns?

Its been a while between pods and there has been some listener feedback, some positive, some negative but we love it all. And we were blown away by some very kind listeners who generously bought us a bunch of coffees through the Restump website.

We don’t click into Summer until tomorrow but there’s plenty of hot stuff happening down at Limestone Park in Cockburn. So if you’ve got nothing better to do, wrap your listening gear around this episode and join us for a draft review and all the news in purple shoes.

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When it comes to AFL Draft knowledge, The West Australian's Jordan McArdle is peerless! Almost without a word of a lie, he is so thorough and dedicated he records birth canal sectional times to identify talent in the maternity ward!

For the second year in a row Jordan has been generous with his time and information joining Jojo McDonnell on the Restump podcast for predominantly a WA kid draft preview.

So, given we have nothing even slightly resembling a high draft pick in this Monday's draft, tune in before then to hear JoMac and JoMac find the purple diamonds and save us Freo folk from having ‘teardrops in our eyes.’

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"It's been a year-and-a-half I've wanted out, so it was good to get it done, finally.” On this episode of the Restump Podcast…. it’s all about strong relationships, commitment, selflessness and self-awareness.

Rory feeling as though he was on the outer is astonishing! Well not that he was on the outer, but the fact he seemingly has no idea why.

Given the amount of headshaking in disbelief at Rory’s comments on the way out, chiropractors are about to fill their boots!

Ironically, we’re going to be fair to him giving him the benefit of the doubt that he may not be the sharpest tool in the shed. But surely, anyone with an ounce of self-awareness, not self-obsessiveness, handles exit interviews with a bit more decorum.

But then again, maybe the authentic honesty is something we’re not used to and should appreciate? I know I am going to appreciate it when we play the Dogs in 2023.

We’re talking Rory, Lloyd Meek and Rosco Lyon relationships. How good is to potentially have the great Ross Lyon back in the system? Possibly returning to his home at the Saints, it shows us important relationships can be rebuilt.

With Rory Lobb concerned for his mental state, Brett “Jojo” McDonnell decided to activate the Restump’s cereal pack psychology licence and provide a counselling service for those struggling in their own personal relationships. We find a few answers for those listeners that have reached out.

I have a feeling this Rory Lobb oriented podcast was purely an excuse so Jojo could wheel out Rory’s comments read out in the Donkey voice, but he tells me it’s an important topic we’re covering.

So, if even just to pass some off-season time, flick the fix switch and indulge in our purple nonsensical noise.

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It’s unconfirmed but upon hearing Jaeger’s deal, apparently David Mundy said, “What am I… chopped liver?” Time to Restump Podcast the wrap up of our big 2022 trade period.

Poor old Dave Mundy… he gets the tap on the shoulder and we replace him with a 29-year-old! 29 is actually 42 in Mundy years.

But we’ll put our light-hearted nostalgic exaggerations aside for the moment and focus on what seems to be an exceptional trade period play performed by the purple pillagers and plunderers.

Had Luke Jackson been the only course of business, its fair to suggest we would have all been satisfied. But to snare Josh “Ronnie” Corbett and then surprisingly end up with the Jager-Bomb… we’re sitting here like the Cat that got the trade week cream…. well the cream that was left over from the cream the actual Cats got.

Sure, we lost Blake Acres, Griff Logue, Darcy Tucker, Lloyd Meek and the teammate baking, one arm contest bandit Rory Lobb, but you can make a case for all of them why it isn’t the end of the world.

Enough of the words on paper, lets get to the chit-chat. Join us as we dissect our individual trades and pick swaps and look at how it sets us up for 2023.

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We don’t want to upset the coach and cop a lecture for getting ahead of ourselves, but is it too early to give Luke Jackson a nudge in the father son direction? Let’s hope he gets on the job in more ways than one. Time to Restump Podcast the news of arguably one Fremantle’s biggest gets.

Its not too often you get the chance to secure a 21-year-old Luke Jackson. David Walls, Peter Bell and JL just managed something remarkable and it will help set the club up for the next decade.

Understandably many fans have some trepidation as we’re still sporting the scars of many historic failed attempts with these types of deals. But Luke Jackson is a different kettle of big fish!

He’s a talent in the air, yet as good on the ground. A ruckman, a forward, a roving utility…. the purple prototypical hybrid, if you will.

We’re not about to break into celebratory song signalling his arrival because we’ll leave that to the Freo social media team with their no doubt chart rocketing “Unicorn” banger… but we’ll quietly nod in appreciation and acknowledgment and say… welcome to the Purple LJ.

But while Jackson is the headline act, there’s plenty more happening down at Limestone Park.

We’ll have a chat about Ronnie Corbett who couldn’t have been more impressive in his interview, Josh Cyclone Treacy has been copping some seemingly unfair heat and what now for Lloyd “Braun” Meek?

Are we sharpening the offer for Jeremy? Ronnie Corbett, Will Brodie and Jeremy Sharp? Is there a Gold Coast quota that needs filling?

Lastly does the Luke Jackson news now spark the Rory Lobb deal to the Dogs? If the trade isn’t of value does the club dig in? We’d like to think so.

All that and plenty more on this momentous Monday where too much marvelling is never enough. Join us for our usual recap nonsense and put your best ears forward to be part of the starting twenty-two.

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At least they were nice enough to leave us a bunch of picks. Could’ve left us a shovel to bury our Griff, Tucker and Acres merchandise! Just kidding… petrol and a match will do the trick! Time to Restump Podcast the day in trade.

To be fair, the trio have left us for largely valid reasons. Darcy Tucker just couldn’t get opportunity here; Griffin Logue didn’t have positional certainty and Blakey Acres had to take the money from Carlton that we weren’t offering. We wish them all well… except when they play Freo.

Did we get value? Did we get hosed? Whatever the case, we’ve got future picks galore which will no doubt be used to try to prise Jeremy Sharp from the Gold Coast clutches, in a package deal with Josh Corbett.

The Luke Jackson deal is dragging out as expected. Are the Eagles really back in the picture? Or is it simply Melbourne trying for further leverage? Either way we sit comfortably however it plays out.

Shock news of the day was the revelation regarding Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti… coming out of retirement with Fremantle on his radar! That’s an interesting conversation!

Tipu’s former club is living up to its Bomber name given everything there is blowing up! Sheedy not happy, board members storming out, 24-hour CEO’s… no wonder Tipu wanted to come to Freo, its as far away from Bomberland as he can get!

Last we looked Lobb is still lingering. And while Lobby would be needing a lie down, there are still some shenanigans to play out before the week is done.

Well, that’s enough of the written stuff! So, if you’re keen to continue, and only God knows why you would, plug in your ears, click play and join us for further purple parley on the pod.

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We were resigned to the fact Griff was gone. Is there a change in the air? Did we catch a whiff, are we back in with a sniff for Griff? There’s plenty going on to fill a Restump Podcast episode cup.

We jostled for position on day one of trade week but little eventuated for us purple people. However, there’s still more than enough happening to go through. Trades have been completed, others stalled and pressure is building.

With Jason Horne-Francis signalling his intent to leave the Roos, does it favour us? Does it allow the Roos to pay up for Griff, or better still, put a red flag in Griff’s mind about heading there?

Apparently, we’re standing firm with Rory Lobb. Are we foxing, will the Dogs call our bluff if so? Could we really see Lobb, Darcy, and Luke Jackson all at Freo in 2023?

A third rounder for Blake Acres… fair? Unders or Overs? With Paddy Dow wanting out of the Blues, could he find his way somehow to Freo in the deal? He would be surplus to requirement but he’s a talent.

Across the league it seems GWS will need a warehouse to store all their picks while Richmond landed the prized Tim Taranto. If the Tiges go on to secure Jacob Hopper they may be back ion premiership calculations sooner than we think.

The West Coast Eagles picked up Jayden Hunt which tells us all they don’t know where they are and believe they don’t need to rebuild through the draft. Patch work rarely ends well… we know from experience.

Andy Brayshaw took out his first Doig medal and did so by the length of the Flemington straight. Was Alex Pearce stooged? He looked a clear second place getter. And there is no shadow of a doubt Hayden Young had himself down for a few more than he got!

In this crazy fast paced trade week there is little time to stop and breathe. So, if you’re looking for a break from the noise… we can’t help you. But if you’re looking to have your ear drums reverberated with a purple focused commotion then by all means plug in and press play.

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Well, it’s that time of the year again. On the eve of the meat market silly season, the period otherwise known as trade week, its time to endure the annual Restump Podcast 2022 Buy, Sell, Hold report.

It’s the episode where we decide if we’re going to buy sell or hold each player’s stock. We look at the year they have had, the future prospects, their ages and any other defining factor to reach an individual and team oriented financial investment conclusion.

Do some players get a reprieve for credit in the bank? Does loyalty, in committing to the club and not chasing the smell of an extra dollar, count? Is there value in old man legs that we may well be cutting off too soon? Who receives speculative investment dollars? Who are we taking tax losses on?

So, if you have too much time on your hands that you’re looking to rid yourself of, join us for this extended 2 hour episode where we forecast investment calls and provide reasons for the purple cattle we’re buying selling or holding.

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Worth every cent of the Johnny Cash he gets. Brownlow done, Grand Final won and the Cats had the last laugh. Season over but there’s always purple stuff in need of Restump Podcasting.

In this episode we go over the Grand Final and ask the question, did Jordan Clark trade himself out of premiership?

Has Geelong won everyone over with their actions, their humility and their humour? If so, how can we put a stop to it?

We go through the grains of salt we take Colin Young’s commentary with and try to work out where the Griffin Logue and Darcy Tucker to North Melbourne train is at. Has Griff pumped the breaks a little?

Speaking of a grain of salt… never mind Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, apparently Rory will be the focal point at the Western Bulldogs according to Col.

Are Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy best buds and will they be the purple super hero duo? Let’s not dance around the obvious, Jackson’s move to Fremantle is just a formality and, while I hope I haven’t just jinxed it in saying that, we have a go at coming up with a trade to get it done anyway.

Plenty of WA boys out of contract around the country. We go through the list and weigh up if there are any names that may be attractive to Freo.

Looking forward to trade week starting next Monday but while we jostle for prime position front and centre, we manage to, despite our male statuses, multi task and bang out 40 plus minutes of purple lead up language.

So, if your ears are already deprived of some Docker dialect, click play, tune in and join us in prolonging the purple party.

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.

It’s always been Sonny’s house and we're just fortunate he allows us to visit. Time to Restump Podcast preview Sonny’s 200th and the Giant clash against GWS.

What a privilege and an absolute joy it has been for us all to ride along with Sonny on his career to date. Coming up for 200 games, he’s kicked 306 goals and many of them have been when we’ve been in dire need.

He was born for the big stage and that has been the setting where he has often done his best work. He has sliced, diced and iced games on many an occasion.

At his best he would enter the midfield in second halves and not only drag us back into games but get us over the line. Few could go with or stop him when he was on.

The best part of it all is that its far from over and if we go anywhere in September, the smart money will be on Sonny being a big reason.

But while we celebrate Sonny’s milestone, we need to keep our eyes on this weeks prize… a win over the Giants and a possible top four finish.

While a spirited performance against the Dogs last week, the Giants have been off the ball in recent weeks. They have nothing to lose and even less to play for, but… always beware of the sleeping Giant.

The captain is back to get a hit out. With no Lobb or Tabs… much of that hitting is going to be needed to be retrieved up forward. With Meek coming in Fyfey should see a bit of time alongside Sean Darcy, who returned to some big form last week.

The reality is, it doesn’t matter how we get this done but we have to get over the line. We need to start taking these opportunities that are presented to us so, win ugly, win pretty, win boring…. It doesn’t matter…. Just get the 4 points.

Whatever the case on Saturday the Giants will make us work for it… and that will be odd because work occurring in the vicinity of parliament house? A rare occurrence indeed!

Another morning game for us in WA but anywhere anytime comes to mind. Let’s get into the preview! So if you can’t find anything better to listen to and you settle on us and this 40 minutes.… we question your detective skills, your effort and your low bar listening content expectations!

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.

Not getting ahead of ourselves but surely the $1.11 solves all the inflationary pressures! Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s walk in the park.

It doesn’t really have that Derby feel. In fact, I can’t recall a more lacklustre week leading up to a derby. The build-up has been non-existent as it seems much of this year the Eagles have run with Homer Simpson’s “can’t win, don’t try” philosophy.

There’s been no banter, no cheap shots no angst... sure we’ve got bigger fish to fry but there’s room for all to coexist!

Having said that, if we want to potentially take any top four opportunity that may arise, we just need to keep our heads, allow Andy Gaff to keep his head for the foreseeable future and just bag the four points.

We’ve got two more games that aren’t going to deliver finals like intensity so we have to keep that in mind. We don’t want to wander into the first week of finals on the back of two soft wins and drowning in complacency, so we need to bring the energy.

Like Hawk’s coach Riley said in before the playoff game against the Mighty Ducks, “it’s not worth winning if you don’t win big.” Now I’m not sure we need to go that far but we should be looking to put the eagles to the sword.

That said, do we really want to destroy their percentage and aid their campaign to secure pick one? Lets put away the four points convincingly and what will be will be.

Switta is back after a seriously busted back, Jye Amiss plays his first game back with Peel this weekend and Sean Darcy has been in contact with his future ruck forward teammate, Luke Jackson! And we’ve made some progress with the Clampaign! Everything is coming up Milhouse.

So, while there isn’t the buzz around this Derby there is still plenty to get excited about. Click play, get our rubbish in your ears and feel free to join the conversation. We don’t only subscribe to Ross Lyon’s ‘failure is feedback’ theory, we’re open all feedback.

Did Lobby ace the interview for his new employer or what! Are we back? Time to Restump Podcast review the top 4 door opening win over the Dogs.

What a difference it makes when the forwards function productively and cohesively and your two big targets actually lead to space or at the ball carrier? Oh, and kicking straight always helps. Credit when it’s due… Rory Lobb put on a goal kicking master class.

We turned our recent form around but continued our magnificent Victorian form on Saturday, putting the dogs back in their kennels. That’s now 7 games in Melbourne this year so far for 5 wins, a draw and 1 loss. Who is this Fremantle team?

We showed the pressure, the intent, the urgency and finally the mid forward connection. The Dogs aren’t exactly the hottest defenders but we rarely gave them a genuine look in and we constantly kept them guessing.

Luke Ryan never plays a poor one but he was back to his All-Australian best. He must have a crystal ball because he knows where the ball is going to land in his area before its been kicked! And speaking of getting back to hot form… hello Caleb Serong.

How good was it to see the Disco back! Nathan “Disco” O’Driscoll had only played 7 career games so it sounds ridiculous to say it, but geez we’ve missed his run, his bite and his goal sense.

It was truly a game where everyone stepped up and we collectively returned to that cohesive roleplaying team of individuals.

The much-needed win just ensured we’re playing finals tis year for the first time since 2015, but it also slightly opened the top four door as well. We need to win our last two games and then hope a few teams above us, namely Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, lose at least one of their remaining two.

But that is literally getting ahead of ourselves so let’s reel the rhetoric in or we’ll rightly have coach JL putting as tight a leash on us as we did the Dogs Saturday.

The Doggies win has put the pep back in our step and the glide back in our stride. We’re all up and about with a sense of possibility again.

So join us as we bask in the Bulldog victory glory, we momentarily place the finals in the background and have a celebratory chat about our wonderful purple people.

Despite Freo’s horrific three weeks up forward, we won’t see Sammy Sturt on the Marvel dirt. Time to Restump Podcast review the daunting assignment against Rory Lobb’s future teammates.

We’re a bit disappointed this week as its seemingly becoming a bit ground-hog-dayish on selection day. While Sammy Sturt isn’t the second coming of Christ, after three team scores averaging 7 goals a game, it appears we’ve opted not to address or even tinker with the dysfunctional forward structure.

However, JL and his selection posse know more than us and they’re providing the opportunity for the forward crew to dig themselves out of the hole they’ve found their way into. To be fair, the Bulldogs do leak score at times so it is probably the game to forward the forwards a week’s grace.

On paper you look at the Bulldogs names and they terrify you on nearly every line. Yet you then look at their form and it doesn’t quite equate. But you get the feeling they’ve recently watched, Carlton, Richmond and Melbourne bring the heat to us and, consequently, we should expect fire and brimstones.

We don’t want to limp towards the end of the year and cling on to a top eight position so we need to turn things around Saturday night. However, the Bulldogs want to force their way into the finals so there is no doubt they’ll be on.

Its great to see Disco Nathan back as he might provide the bite on the wing that we have been missing recently. And hopefully Darcy Tucker can reproduce his damaging accumulating possession and goal kicking Peel form and prove a positive replacement for Trav Colyer.

While Dave Mundy has called time on his career and the club is using it as motivation, we would have thought the prospect of playing finals and potentially a home final would be all the motivation the boys would need. But if we can add in “do it for Dave” and it helps, then why not.

Its an unnerving task this Saturday. The Dogs will smell our blood from the last three weeks in the water. On the other hand, we simply have to deliver an appropriate response after that substandard performance last week. Both teams have so much to play for and that makes for a potentially cracking game.

We’re all on board all the time but that doesn’t mean we can’t respectfully remove the purple rose coloured glasses at times and have a candid chat about all aspects of the club. Talking things out and speaking from the purple heart is always the therapeutically way forward.

So, click the play button and join us for a 45 minute chat about selections, where we’re at as a club, our neglect of our areas of deficiency and the big clash Saturday night.

Ouch, Freo Dockers! We’re just getting over Friday night and you drop unwanted Mundy news Monday morning on us! Time to therapeutically Restump Podcast all of it.

The news hit hard this morning and it really put us off our cornflakes. The great man, the man we thought would still be playing when we all leave this earth, ripped our hearts out and called time on his career. The MundyFourHundy dream is over.

After a relentless effort based 35 possession game on Friday night, you got the feeling Dave Mundy was in deep contemplation mode meditating on the bench late in the game.

Depending on where we finish the home and away season, we’ll possibly only get to see him one last time going around in the flesh in the round 22 Derby. What a way and what an opportunity to send him off.

But before then we have to unpack last Friday night. And given the demolition it was, very little needs unpacking and its more of a picking up the pieces and cleaning up the mess job.

Have teams worked us out? Are they paying us the extra attention and preparing in ways they may not have been doing in the first half of the year? Is our young team fatigued? Or has our effort and commitment fallen off the pace a bit?

Quite simply it seems the majority of the issues are attributed to our eternally dysfunctional forward line. Matty Tabs had one of his worst games we can remember and Rory Lobb… good luck Bulldogs!

Trav Colyer has hit the brick wall of late and hasn’t been his earlier year productive self and Lachie Schultz has been well off the pace for a while now. His frenetic defensive pressure is a vital cog in our forward line wheel and when it’s absent so is any hint of cohesiveness.

We’ve got three games remaining, top four is all but gone but now we desperately need at least one, possibly two wins to ensure we finish the season in the top eight.

It’s been a tough few days for all us Freo folk so lets have a chat about it all and see if we can find some uplifting answers…. and by uplifting we don’t just mean the Bulldogs uplifting and taking Rory Lobb!

I’m sorry… I’m still a bit dark on a few efforts on Friday! If you're keen, click play and let’s get into it.

Two Brayshaws would have been handy… but we’re ok running with one and a Jackson. Time to Restump Podcast preview the Brayshaw Bros Friday Night Bout in the Freo V Dees clash.

Angus Brayshaw is a big signing for the Dees and congratulations to them. However, interestingly enough the grapevine chatter is suggesting Luke Jackson flew to WA for tomorrow night’s game with a shipping container of luggage! (Disclaimer - We may have put that out on the grapevine)

Massive game Friday night and its fair to say there are some nerves in the Restump camp regarding the outcome.

Question marks are being placed over Melbourne by the wider football community, they’ll want some retribution for round 11, there is threatening weather… do we have a plan B? In that round 11 win, Petracca was injured, Steven May went down in the first quarter and Harrison Petty was on one leg.

Rightio that’s enough of the glass half empty…. it’ll probably fill up tomorrow night from the rain!

Rory Lobb returning is obviously vital, joining Tabs to take on a formidable Jake Lever and Steven May duo. So much of our fortunes rest on the shoulders of Sonny, Shultzy, Freddy and co. If they don’t bring the frenetic pressure and intensity we know they can, then our hopes of a much-needed win take a massive hit.

Probably fair to say Mitchy is getting a little twitchy! There is not a lot more he can do, but the small forward region is a bit of a Crowden area at the moment. He’s banging on the door but it’s just not getting opened. Does he get in through the emergency entrance?

We need a big lift from Sean “Swaggy Onions” Darcy up against the great Max Gawn. Darce has been a bit off his influential form for a fair bit of the season but he does seem to save his best for the best. Darce and Lobb up against Gawn and future teammate Jackson… an interesting battle.

The midfield is where it starts and it's Petracca, Oliver and Viney opposed to Serong, Brayshaw, Brodie and Mundy… at some stage an Aish might get the tap on the shoulder and asked to ‘put the slows’ on someone but you’d imagine they’d be ready for such a move.

The defenders will do their usual super defending and strangle the Dee’s scoring but Bailey Fritsch kicked 3 against us in round 11. Last week he nailed 4 and Sam Weiderman booteed 3 while Melksham and Pickett each got a couple. They’re in good nick and they have a good spread of competent goal kickers.

We need 60 points to make the top four and probably 52 points to all but guarantee us a spot in the eight. So 3 wins for top four and one win for finals. Lets focus on the top eight and cliché it to one week at a time.

Can’t wait for tomorrow night. We hold some fears of what might be but we have hope knowing what we can potentially make happen.

So, click play and join us for a light-hearted 45 minutes of everything retro Freo before the clash gets under way tomorrow evening. While Jojo is in his element with this retro jumper, I am not underestimating the damage it may do. When you look good you feel good…. This jumper may have a lot to answer for!

Get up, Freo.

Thankful for Freddy’s mother and smother. We’re just being more complimentary efficient than our forward line was! Time to Restump Podcast the lifting of two points off the Tiges.

Still don’t know how Freddy did that. His smother and Chappy’s defensive punch in round one…. pool room material.

If Richmond was a bank, we got away with the cash drawers but not the vault. To be brutally honest, we lightened Richmond’s burden by lifting two points off them.

While there were endless bewildering moments throughout the game that led to the result, the ridiculous two final positive and negative unthinkable moment minutes will forever trump the previous seventy eight.

Game saving tackles, holding the ball wins, smothers, shot clock breaches and playing on with all of a second left. It is one for the obscure history books.

But after all the befuddlement, the reality is we walked away with two points, we lost a Fyfe and we fell out of the top four.

We should write a song about our defenders because once again we’re singing their praises. Their collective efforts are astounding but in particular Hayden Young continues to astonish.

But our Achilles heel continues to be our forward line and our mid forward connection. Rory Lobb was sorely missed but the game plan we concocted and the one we executed highly conflicted each other.

While it is obviously not ideal the reassurance and the consolation are that with the current 12 and a half wins and 50 points we have, we’d have made the finals in all but 4 of 22 seasons since 2000. (minus 2020) Sportsbet have us at $1.005 to make the eight… and that should calm anyone who has a few nerves.

There is too much to go through the entire game here so join us on the podcast where we go into detail, unpack the extraordinary Friday night and attempt to make heads and tails of it.

Having our top 4 destiny in our own hands hasn’t gone well for us in the past but this time it’s different… hopefully! Time to Restump Podcast the Friday night Dockers V Tiges show.

Friday night under lights, under the Marvel roof, on the big stage! We’re desperate to keep our top 4 chances alive while Richmond has a ton of teams wanting their place in the 8.

Add the above to the fact that every one in three games between Freo and Richmond is decided by 12 points or less and it promises to be a cracking encounter.

We talk changes and what that means for the match ups. We’ve lost a Lobb but a Henry and a Pearce has dropped in. While at Tigerland there’s no Dusty or Tom Lynch but a Soldo enters the backup ruck arena.

With the loss of Lobby, its grounds for thinking the inform Lloyd Meek might sneak in to give Darcy a chop out and allow him to go up forward.

We need a lift across the board from all individuals because if we deliver Friday night what we served up last Saturday… sayonara top 4!

Got to keep Daniel Rioli in check and stop his run, Jayden Short through the middle can hit the scoreboard and God help whoever draws the short straw to play on Shai Bolton. But one in all in, we can get it done as a collective!

We know we shouldn’t but we cover the rubbish Hagdorn and his SEN outrage journos came up with this week, we probably mistakenly wander into the Daisy Pearce saga and as always we chat all things Luke Jackson.

Cannot wait for Friday night, our season is alive and well, our top four hopes are hanging by a thread…. Its all up to us. Well not us but us as in them, our them or their them or is it they them or they’re our them?…. Oh for crying out loud, you know who!

If you’re into nonsense like that… and why would you be… there’s plenty more where that came from so click play and jump on in, the purple preview listening water is warm.

After Griff’s game, we need to secure his signature and get him presenting lectures down at Cockburn on adaptability. Time to Restump Podcast our tough to take loss to the Swans.

Was there a game at Optus on Saturday night or a Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch concert? Marks everywhere! The Swannies racked up 138 marks for the game, largely with our assistance. After quarter time they took 64 more marks than us… over 20 more per quarter.

The warning signs, or should that be Warner signs, started flashing in the second period and the resulting fears materialised over the second half.

After quarter time, the mids copped a bath and that didn’t help the defenders. The wingers provided no outlet or run and the Swans walked the ball out of our 50 metre arc effortlessly.

A young Chad Warner gave us a lesson and who does Errol Gulden think he is kicking goals like that, Disco Nathan?

We can all handle a loss, God knows we’ve had plenty of practise over the last 25 plus years, but it was the uncharacteristic manner in how we lost this one.

So much on the line, so much to play for and disappointingly we fell down in what we stand for, team defence and offensive pressure. To be comprehensively beaten, yet kick the first two goals of the last quarter to go nine points up… an added effort needed to be raised. There was no such raised effort forthcoming. In fact there was little effort delivered, raised or otherwise.

The shining light was the swingman’s performance. Griffin Logue can hold his head up high as he blanketed Buddy Franklin. Had Griff not slipped on the Optus Stadium ice rink, Buddy would have turned in the duck eggs.

But again, this is a successful season. Its far from over and we’ve shown enormous growth to date. As we always say, growth isn’t linear.

The reality is we’re in the embryonic stage of a long period of sustained finals success. Sure, we need some tinkering here there and a bit more up forward, but we’re a solid unit on the up and, top four or otherwise, its highly unlikely we’re not playing finals this year.

So, join us as we put things in perspective, part the problems and pick out the purple positives. They’re few and far between in that game Saturday night but we’re not rolling over just yet.

Is Budweiser than we think? Freddy said, yes you better beerlieve it. Acres returns and Chappy is back. Time to Restump Podcast what’ll hopefully be our 4th win from 4 games against the Swans at Optus.

Given we’re currently sitting a win clear in third heading towards September, we’ve got Acres and Chappy back in the team, the Disco is back up and about and Switta has recommenced running... are we getting ahead of ourselves if we suggest everything is coming up Millhouse?

We’re getting as close to having our best twenty-two fit and available as we’re ever likely to get so it does feel like we’re getting a bit falling favorably for us at the moment.

Currently twelve wins, we probably need at least fifteen to secure a top four finish. With Richmond, Melbourne, Bulldogs, Eagles and Giants to come we need to make Sydney one of those three wins this Saturday night, especially as this is one of our only three remaining home games.

Speaking of the Buddy Swans, they’ve been a little bit erratic this year. They probably haven’t been the steadfast Swans we come to expect but they have a dangerous list and can produce on their day.

However, they were recently beaten by Port Adelaide and Essendon , yet they beat Melbourne, St Kilda and the Dogs so they’ve made it tricky to get a handle on the form.

We have won all three games against Sydney at Optus Stadium, but apart from one of them by 5 goals, the remaining two games we won by 2 points and 1 point respectively.

Worryingly it does appear rain is forecast for Saturday. We don’t want to have flash-flood-backs back to the Gold Coast and Collingwood games but… its difficult not to have a few little nerves. However, let’s stay positive, they’ll don the flippers and snorkel if need be, if it means getting hold of the four points.

We wander into the North Melbourne fiasco and Wayne Carey’s nonsensical suggestion that Ross Lyon is the prime candidate. We have a chat about Buddy attempting to use Freo to beef up his contract again. Trav Colyer and Sammy Switkowski get one year extensions and its difficult not to think Rory Lobb is out and Luke Jackson is in next year.

It could be big day Saturday so get plenty of sleep between now and then so you’re tip top to fight the elements. And the best way to get some deep sleep…. click play on our 45 minutes of docker drivel… we’ve been known to cure insomnia!

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.

One minute you’re on the band saw, next minute you’ve got an All Australian jacket and 100 games under your belt. Time to Restump Podcast DJ Luke Ryan’s 100th in the clash against the Power.

Big game for Luke Ryan in his 100th as it is for Nathan Wilson in his 150th. But individual accolades will have to wait because we’ve got to somehow turn the Power off while managing to keep our top four faint flickering light on.

We’ve got a trick up our sleeve though. We’ll turn the Power of and switch to solar because we’ve got Sonny conditions! That’s right sports fans Sonny Walters is back and geez we missed him last week.

Port Adelaide have only just been travelling for most of the season but the return of Charlie Dixon four games ago and Connor Rozee’s rise up the ranks has seen them steady up and regain winning form.

We were pummelled in the midfield last week against the Blues and it won’t get much easier against the likes of the experienced big bodied Travis Boak and Ollie Wines. He might not be back to his best or in tip top match fitness condition yet but we might need you Fyfey!

And the big man, Sean Darcy, in the middle has been a bit off in recent weeks but he gets his chance to dominate the game against makeshift ruckman Jeremy Finlayson.

Port Adelaide have only won 7 games this season. They have won 6 of their last 7 so they’re in decent nick, but of their 7 wins to date, just 2 have been away from the Adelaide Oval.

They have won 5 of the last 7 games against us but only 2 of those games have been played at Optus Stadium, of which we won both. We haven’t played Port Adelaide at Optus in over 3 years so it really is foreign territory for them.

We’re back to the old Sunday arvo time slot so it actually should feel familiar for us! However, lets kill some time, have a chat about the clash, praise the milestone men and bring it home getting to know the great man Brett “Jojo” McDonnell a little better with another Ask Jojo segment.

Did we just hit the Wall, up against the Lygon Street Lads? Time to Restump Podcast the end of year tax loss against the calculating Carlton Blues.

It’s the end of financial year time and fans are attempting to claim their memberships as tax deductions. So, despite it being a boat load of ridiculousness and making no sense, is it beyond the possibility that we had too many capital win gains and Saturday was the opportunity to bank a strategic capital tax loss prior to the 30th June?

A loss that is difficult to take does weird things to our minds in our endeavours to find reasoning and or excuses. But the reality is the Blues turned up and gave us a hiding. They outran us, outmuscled us and outworked us.

In the midst of the momentary ruins, the light shines brightly on the defensive unit. How they managed to restrict Carlton to just twenty scoring shots from relentless and clean supply with little to no help from the mids restricting the flow or even the forwards applying any sort of pressure, could well become one of the mysteries of the world.

To be fair to our mids, it wasn’t due to lack of effort. There are times in life where you simply have to dip your lid in respectful acknowledgement of a supreme performance from your opponent. When the Carlton crew are in that frame of mind, enact damage control policy instantly, if you’re on the receiving end!

While we were really never in the game, it does feel like the four points opportunity that got away and, based on our fixtures on the run home, with it our top four finish fades a little.

But bigger picture, we’ve probably exceeded expectations already this year so keeping authentic perspective often ends up being the emotional balance we all need after such an individual defeat.

That said, we’re not dead by a long way and to reach for a Ross Lyonism, “It’s never as bad or as good as it seems.” So, we’ve got eight games remaining, we need about five wins to be a chance at top 4 and probably two more wins to secure a finals berth.

We get Sonny and Chappy back, Fyfey will get some spectacles so he can spot his teammates, Freddy gets off the booze, Bailey puts on the sub vest and we’re off to the top four races!

So, if you’re like us and you need to dissect a game from eleventy different angles, grab your scalpel, put your safety glasses on, click play, join us and get involved in the conversation because what we’ll come up with, will be far from Sciency.

Griff to Charlie, Alex Pearce to McKay and we should be off to the bank with a 4-point deposit. (probably 3-points taking inflation into account) Time to Restump Podcast the Blues bash on Saturday.

If we’re a genuine top four finisher and premiership contender we have to put away the defence depleted Blues. Lose this game and suddenly it paints a shifting picture.

The Blues have struggled to contain scoring in recent weeks so if we can capitalise on their deficiencies that end of the ground and quell the scoring power of Curnow and McKay the other end, we should be in good shape.

The Blues are 4 wins from 4 games at Marvel this year and each time they kicked over 100 points. Further reasoning why extra focus should be on our team defence and why surely Griff starts back this week.

Great to see Matty Tabs return although he’d have to be half a run short. Freddy has finally gotten over his hangover and he’s straight back in, so its probably a good thing he’s not on the side-lines carrying the drinks! And after a couple of cracking games for Peel, Liam Henry has been handed another opportunity in the absence of Blake Acres.

The concerns are the massive losses of Sonny Walters and Sammy Switkowski. Both are vital cogs in the forward set up so Freddy and Shultzy will need to shoulder the workload. They may mitigate some of the loss but there's no substitute for Sonny in his current form!

Unfortunately, no Adam Cerra to give constant reminders to each time someone runs by him but there is still a Jack ‘bloody’ Newnes! It’s simply a game we can win, should win and must win.

It was great to hear Dave Mundy say he isn’t leaving until they drag him out of the joint. Can he go another two years and secure the illustrious Mundy4Hundy?

If things don’t go our way in September can we blame Paul Hasleby for being a destabilising influence? Firstly, he was urging Griff to shift camps to West Coast and now he’s got his eyes set on Belly for them? Is Hase on the payroll of the rogues up the road or has he been infiltrated by the clickbait revenue generating SEN business model?

What a turnaround! We’ve 9 games left and we’ve got 5 of them on the big Friday and Saturday night stages. Time to stock up on carrots. It’s a great time to be a Freo supporter.

Crips and Fyfe, Charlie and Griff…. Its going to be a great game. It’s about a day and a half until bounce down against the Blues. If you click play, we can get you through about 45 minutes of it here but then you’re on your own.

Its official, the bye round stinks and we’re glad it’s over. Time to restart the Freo Freight Train and Restump Podcast the latest news in purple shoes.

The bye round probably came at a good time for a few of our momentarily sore soldiers. But other than for those favourable reasons, the bye round can get in the sea!

We’re 10 and 3 going into the back end of the season and we need, as a rule of thumb, a minimum of 15 wins to make the top four. Jojo McDonnell has us winning the next three straight so in his book we’re virtually a monte to make it.

With the tragic loss of Blake Acres to a hamstring, it seems the battle has been set between Liam Henry and Ethan Hughes to duel it out for the call up? But with possession being 9/10ths of the law, does Darcy Tucker trump them both?

To avoid injury, it’s always preferable to put your best foot forward at, rather than on, peel, and that is what Neil Erasmus is doing. He may have to bide his time but he’ll inevitably secure a long-term midfield position.

On the injury front we’ve lost a few troops. Sam Switkowski is a huge loss, Josh Treacy looks like he’ll miss a few with the ankle, Blake Acres as mentioned, Nathan Chappy is still a few weeks away and unfortunately it appears Nathan O’Disco has suffered a setback.

The Luke Jackson talk is heating up! But there is a bigger question than dollars and years. Does he truly fit in at Freo? If he wants to play lead ruck, sadly Freo probably isn’t the place for him…. that said, we’ll happily squeeze him in if we can. The conversations will be interesting.

In what could potentially be described as JL’s textbook display of ‘getting ahead of ourselves’ Jojo McDonnell has locked in Hall Of Famer Matthew Pavlich to present the winning premiership cup to us at the G in September. The Chief is being a bit more conservative and wants to wait and see if the Clamp is back from Europe.

We unnecessarily give our pointless two cents worth on the De Goey non-scandal, we had a poorly timed Ask Jojo segment and then we bring it home with another Neighbourhood Watch episode.

So, after a week off, it’s time to saddle up, get back on the Restump horse, click play and listen to this 50 minutes of nonsense on your way to Marvel Stadium… through the desert… if your horse has no name…

Ok enough of that rubbish…. the play button is there somewhere if you want it and its not going to click itself!

Maybe getting ahead of ourselves is too much, but how about Hawkish on our prospects. Time to Restump Podcast review the hard-fought win over the Hawks.

Hawthorn is a pretty decent 13th placed team! They brought their best and ran us to the wire but 3rd quarters are our specialty, we stuck the fork in the hawk and it was done.

Did we overuse the handball? We only had 88 more than Hawthorn so…. yeah just a bit! But everyone got amongst the disposals as we ended up with a record equalling 13 players on 20 or more possessions.

But make no mistake we won the game largely because we somehow managed to consistently generate scores from minimal forward 50 entries. We set our season record of scoring 53% of the time, meaning we went at a rate of hitting the scoreboard every 1.9 forward entries. Not bad considering our season average 43%.

Andy Brownlowshaw was at his Brayshaw best but he probably got trumped for best on ground honours by secret celebratory handshake mate, Caleb Serong. Caleb’s hands are so quick they’re blurry. He’d be one hell of a pickpocket if this footy thing ever goes wrong.

Sonny Walters went up another level, back to his brilliant best. He’s turned in a Richie Benaud on Saturday, 2 goals from 22 possessions. A match high 11 score involvements tells you how team oriented the great man is.

And down back Brennan Cox was controlled the defence marking everything. He could have plucked a low flying seagull out of the air had he tried! And whatever Coxy didn’t mark, Hayden Young did, as the pair took 20% of the teams grabs on the day. Young’s signature was a handy one the other week.

The negative to come out of the game was obviously Blake Acres’ hamstring. We got a glimpse of how much this caper means to these guys as Blake was left distraught on the side-lines. The bye has come at the right time for him.

So, we put the plucky Hawks to bed and we enter the bye in ripping shape both on the ladder and, bigger picture wise, in terms of healthy personnel.

We dissect Fyfe’s return, his forward craft and look at how his reintegration into the midfield went. Bloody decent performance in isolation at least!

We secured a non-binding agreement from Ryan “Clamp” Crowley to come on the pod and it was the persuasion of everyone who helped us get him. So, thanks to all. He is in Europe so he can’t do the bye pod but he will come on when he returns.

Jojo, believe it or not, decided to extend his holiday so we’re still recording across oceans but he assures me this will be the last one. Inflation? Water off a duck's back to him!

You would think the West Coast Eagles would be able to stay out of the headlines during a bye, but no, Tricky Trevor Nisbett has presented us with a podcast closing Neighbourhood Watch.

So, while we’re off looking to secure a bye round podcast guest, feel free to give this hour of purple poxless monkey business a whirl.

Us Dockers are lovers and fighters, which is why we’ll love taking down the War Hawks. Time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s Freddyless clash against the once mighty Hawthorn side.

Whenever we play the Hawks, instantly the painful memory of the 2013 Grand final resurfaces. To be fair, it probably burns David Mundy more than anyone but maybe it’s been the motivation he has used to solider on.

On top of that we have an atrocious record against the once powerful Hawthorn team, being 11 wins and 28 losses. But this is a new era, we’re a new Fremantle team and we head into the battle with a clean slate and without fear or favour. There are no longer any Hawkish monkeys on our backs!

We welcome back Sonny, Switta and finally that man Fyfe. With an 80% chance of precipitation, Captain Fyfe might be the umbrella for our recent inclement weather concerns.

Let's hope Sam Mitchell's hasn't passed on his former playing day tactics otherwise Fyfey might end up with another Hawk cork!

They’re a tricky bunch these young cocky Hawks as they have an air of unpredictability about them. They’ve beaten Port Adelaide, Geelong, Richmond and Brisbane…. they got within 10 points of Melbourne, almost knocked over Collingwood and they fell by the narrowest of margins to Carlton. That’s the form of a team with capabilities on the up, but they can put in a dodgy one.

But the stats that allows us to enter the game with a respectful and healthy confidence lie in the defence standings. We’re second in the league for restricting opposition scoring while the Hawks are twelfth. With Mitch Lewis out of their side, its difficult to see them kicking a substantial score. Sorry JL we might have just gotten ahead of ourselves.

We talk Freddy and his not so sneaky six-day break sip. It’s JL’s 50th and we take a step back and admire what he has astonishingly achieved in such a short period of time, the ridiculous Griffin Logue talk is increasing, the imbecilic 'trade Fyfe' nonsense is lingering and then we round for home with an interesting Ask Jojo question.

Getting us across the finishing line, the Chief, believe it or not, is orchestrating one final attempt at getting Ryan Crowley on the podcast for a special bye weekend episode and he’s putting the call out to everyone to join the campaign… or as he calls it, The Clampaign.

So, if you’re a glutton for ear insulting punishment, pick up a six day break breaching six pack, push play and pass the time listening to this purple nonsense before participating in the Chief’s poxy podcast plan.

Geelong, Melbourne and now Brisbane. Once is a chance, twice is a coincidence, three times is a trend! Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s eventual taming of the Lions on Sunday.

There was something about the Bailey's in that game, Zac Bailey and Bailey Banfield each kicked four but we'll focus on the latter.

Straight off the top, you're not human if you weren't thrilled for Bailey Banfield. The serial sub, battling with confidence, got his chance and delivered arguably his career best game when it was most vital. Who knows what happens in future weeks but JL now has an extra headache to deal with, albeit a positive one.

From the meaningful game perspective, if you had any doubts or weren’t convinced in the authenticity of this Fremantle football club’s performances and its trajectory, Sunday surely put your concerns to rest.

This was a definitive display that truly signalled this team has arrived. And not from an outlandish “the premiership is ours” perspective, but from a belief that we should fear no team, knowing that we’ll turn up and deliver required and respected effort…. unless the weather turns a bit damp. We still need to tick that box!

This performance over Brisbane was compelling because the Lions were absolutely on their game, they were ferocious from siren to siren and relentless with their pressure. We combatted it, matched it, upped it and counterpunched our way to one of the clubs most significant victories, and we did it with a team averaging 25 years of age and without a Walters, a Matty Taberner, a Switta and a Fyfe.

It is a game in which the unsung heroes rightfully became a little less unsung. The value in being able to turn to and bring in an Ethan Hughes and a Lloyd Meek and have them instantly play at the level they did, cannot be overstated. Quality list depth is invaluable and a key ingredient of long term and meaningful success.

We continue this praise singing extravaganza in the pod, we chat individuals, our favourite single moment, cover what’s doing in Fyfe life and bring it home with another instalment of the Neighbourhood Watch.

We’re already late with this internationally recorded but definitely not renowned podcast, so let’s stop banging on about it here and get into the conversation.

Geez an 85% fit Fyfe would be handy! But you don’t want to go in rushed and underprepared like we did into this difficult Restump Podcast preview of our clash against the Lachie Neale Lions.

Jojo wanting to do the preview in between drinks on his swimming pool bar crawl in Bali is probably the time to realise you need to start holding yourself to the same disciplinary account you hold your team’s players to.

Sunday’s game is a tricky assignment to assess. Brisbane are 9 wins and 2 losses but they’ve only played 2 top 8 sides, resulting in a win and a loss. We have played 4 top 8 sides for 3 wins and a loss.

Brisbane is a high scoring side, having kicked 100 points in each of their last 6 games. But we’ve allowed 27 goals less kicked against us than Brisbane has against them. We can probably cover Chappy’s out but no Sonny, Tabs and Switta hurts our scoring ability. Its all over the shop!

Brisbane haven’t been a great travelling team but they’ve won 4 of 6 away this year. Have they improved or has it been the predominantly bottom eight opponents they’ve faced away from home?

Can Schultzy, Freddy, Banfield and co contain Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Linc McCarthy and Cam Rayner who is starting to deliver on his hype? Our old mate Lachie Neale will get plenty of it regardless of pressure applied.

Daniel Rich, as he so often does, holds one of many meaningful keys to the game. Some level of constant influential negating attention wouldn’t be the worst decision made. Schultzy, Freddy… if you’re listening?

How will our forward line function? With Meek into the side and Taberner out, Darcy should spend big minutes forward. Can Meek go with Oscar McInerny? One thing for sure is we’re going to need the Lobb of last week to show up again this week.

It would have been nice to see Neil Razzamatazzmus get a gig but, who knows, there could be a late in lifeline.

We’re asking a lot of questions, we try to make heads and tails of them, but we might just have to wait until Sunday to find out the answers.

In other news, Sebit Kuek has swaggered in and, while he may be a project player, he looks a decent throw at the stumps. Disco Nathan signed on for a further 2 years but he wasn’t going anywhere, and Will Brodie is apparently Fremantle’s classiest kick while West Coast’s Tim Kelly is the league’s worst.

The usually reliable Paul Hasleby put in a dodgy one yesterday calling for the club to go after Tex Walker. His logic makes sense and everyone deserves forgiveness for a mistake but we don’t want to disrupt our long-term build or stray from the path we’re on.

This game is a head scratcher, it’s difficult to work out and the process wasn’t helped by Jojo deciding to take holidays in season! But we scraped through, acknowledging there is plenty of upside.

So if you’re looking to get rid of 40 precious minutes of your life and you accept the reality you can never get them back, then just remove any listening content standard you may have, recheck you have nothing better to do, and then click play and endure the nonsense.

What about that Freo fans! We might never lose again… unless it rains! Time to Restump Podcast the spectacular win against the Dees!

That’s the one in all in team performance we’ve come to know and love. 22 players ironically executing their individual roles as a collective. We can’t even remember the last 2 weeks now!

23 inside fifties for 2 goals 7 behinds in the 1st half. In the second half we racked up 30 inside fifties for 12 goals 3 behinds… and Gloria Estefan reckons she can turn the beat around!

Is Rory Lobb starting to have concerns about his future earnings? He was frustratingly outstanding. Give us that Rory on a weekly basis!

Half time Hayden Young was thinking, “I just signed on for 4 years, what was I thinking.” End of the game he said to himself, “why didn’t I sign on for longer.”

Brandon Walker now has to be a mainstay; Jordan Clark is mocking Geelong each week and who knew we were getting a ridiculous Mr Dependable when Will Brodie trekked interstate!

Sean Darcy went to another level in the second half. Laying tackles, winning ground ball… he’s a big lumbering midfielder trapped in a ruckman’s body!

And it’s all about Freddy! He’s been doing all the hard yards all year, selflessly influencing games without the ball and it was his turn to fill his boots! Stooging players, selling candy, flick backs….. it’s Freddy’s game and he just allows us to watch

But the result was in doubt without Jimmy Aish’s unbelievable 2nd half job on Clayton Oliver. After getting 24 touches and tearing us apart in the 1st half, Aish restricted Oliver to just 12 disposals all while snaring a dozen of his own after the long break. Just a herculean effort.

So much more to dissect, analyse and sing praises of. We cover the lot and then round for home with Jojo’s new segment "Mark Harvey Stories" and finish up with another pointless Neighbourhood Watch.

We’re all still buzzing from Saturday so it might pay to substitute the coffee for a cup of calming tea while you kick back and generously donate us an hour of your listening life….. wait a minute… what is wrong with you…. life is precious and you’re throwing it away on us? Yes we know, it’s the purple noise that is addictive, not us!

Whatever the result, let’s not let a potential crisis go to waste. We usually like our coffee hot but we’ll take it Lukewarm this weekend! It's time to Restump Podcast preview our clash against the Dees at the Gees this Saturday.

Three weeks ago this was the blockbuster game the world was looking forward to. The two weeks since, the rain has literally rained on our parade. We’re still quietly eager but we’ve got one eye on the bureau of meteorology’s weather radar!

Darcy Tucker got a big feed at WAFL level last week and returns to the side and its good to see Walker running back in. Banfield takes a rest as does the unlucky Neil Erasmus while Chicken Wing Sam sits out for the next two weeks.

Our confidence has understandably been dented over the last two games but there is always a bump or two on the road to anywhere. We’re coming off two consecutive poor losses while the Dees are looking for their 18th win on the bounce, taking into account late 2021.

But are the Dees as good as their 10 and 0 record this year suggests? They’ve had a favourable draw and a few unexpected teams have gotten close to them. Or are they just coasting, knowing they can click up a few gears when required?

This is an appropriate challenge for us, especially after the last two disappointing losses. If we had a West Coast or a North Melbourne this week and won, we’d learn nothing.

We’ll leave the rest for the pod and we’ll cover Sammy Sturt’s clip from coach Justin Longmuir, Fyfe’s imminent return, Switta’s verdict and we’ll look at some indigenous stats from Freo and that rabble club up the road.

The big news, which we can all dine out on for at least a month, though is the securing of the official signature of Hayden Young for a further four years, beyond the completion of his current contract ending post season 2023.

Jojo McDonnell’s work ethic and commitment is called into question once more as, believe it or not, he is once again poncing about in the south west partaking in an endless winery crawl. So, we’ll get an explanation from him but i cant guarantee it will be coherent.

We’re actually really looking forward to Saturday arvo for our one and only home and away season appearance at the MCG. So until then if you’re looking for some purple noise to bang your ear drums… there’s 40 minutes right here which we take absolutely no responsibility for any damage caused.

Are we placing too much credence in wet conditions for our poor performances? Time to dry out and Restump Podcast review yesterday’s hosing at the hands of the Pies.

Did we have water logged ears after drowning on the Gold Coast and were unable to hear the instruction? Did the written instruction get smudged by the rain? Is anyone down there aware of these things called weather reports?

It’s difficult to ascertain what the reasoning is behind our unpreparedness for wet weather football again. But what seemed further baffling was the inability to subsequently adapt to the conditions. If global warming doesn’t kick in soon and dry the place out…. the slide could well continue!

We’ll save the in depth talk for the pod but there did seem a worrying inability to adapt and or deal with what Collingwood brought.

The overuse of the handball signified we weren’t in the correct frame of mind and yet going +23 for contested possession and +46 for uncontested possession…. you have to scratch your head and ask questions!

Switta has been pinged for chicken winging Jack Ginnivan but we have to give a deserved rap to that man Will Brodie and, while in positive mode, that was a pretty fair game from Hayden the Young aerialist.

Pre-season, if we were told we’d be 7 & 3, we’d have suggested the person to seek medical attention. The truth is we’re in pretty good shape and we’re probably marginally ahead of expectations. We need to arrest this recent slide though because our run home is red hot!

Should we have cottoned on to Collingwood’s ruse and subbed a tall out? Given Darcy Moore was blanketing Tabs, should we have switched him to decoy? Did we get some clarity around playing the 3 talls going forward and has covid affected Blake Acres? Questions we’ll ponder on the pod.

In other news, Jojo McDonnell is asking if anyone knows any good laser tattoo removal clinics? And is Jack Ginnivan one of the Chief’s favourite players?

Its cold and its wet but at the Restump we’ll make the necessary adjustments. Yes sure, it’s simply turning the heating up a degree or two, but we’ve come in prepared and ready to adapt to the inclement podcasting conditions.

So, get your self a cup of coffee, settle down, click play and turn it up. You need something to drown out the noise of this bloody rain!

Sonny Walters and Alex Pearce will proudly represent the collective this Sunday against Collingwood on Sir Doug Nicholls round. Time to Restump Podcast preview the clash.

We need after a response to last week. Collingwood won’t be a pushover but if we get back to playing our brand, it should hold us in good stead.

If we’re any chance of a top 4 finish, we have to bank 4 points here. You need about 15 wins a season to make the top 4. We’ve got 13 games left meaning we need to win 8 of them. We’ve got Melbourne twice, Brisbane & Carlton to come, so 4 of those 13 games are against current top 3 sides. A further 3 are against current top 8 sides…. which means 7 of our remaining 13 games are against top 8 sides. It’s a tough run home which makes Sunday’s game vital.

We look at the changes and somewhat scratch our heads in bewilderment over Brandon Walker’s omission. The selection panel obviously knows more than us and sees things we may not. Good to have Sonny, Switta & Tabs back though.

You never want to hear “put off contract talks” but Griff Logue has done just that. Sounds more agent inspired but we’ll inevitably have to have the conversation. We momentarily deal in hypotheticals about what could unfold.

Fyfey has Rd12 in his sights and despite the Malthouse madness, he’ll be a welcome return.

Connor Blakely looks done and dusted in the purple so we’re looking to support his new venture, Blakely’s Backyards.

James Clement cops a “what the hell, Jimmy!” He passed up the invitation to hop on the Restump for a chat…. and, to be fair, who could blame him… but he then accepted the invite onto the Collingwood fan pod, Pie Hard. We don’t want to exaggerate but is treasonous too strong a term?

And, no you don’t escape it, we bring it home with another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch segment.

So, if you’ve gorged yourself all your listening content, enjoyed a second course of filling noise and you still haven’t had sufficient…. click play for this purple listening snack to tide you over.

A day later we can see clearly now the rain has gone. Time to Restump Podcast Freo’s rain drops keep falling on my head loss to the Gold Coast Suns.

How were we not prepared for the conditions? We’re from a port, we’re Dockers, Dockers work on a wharf! How could water even remotely seem foreign to them? Did they think we all ironically came down in the last shower?

Now the angst is out of the way we can look at it in a more measured manner…. yeah measured manner with a rain gauge!

The conditions overwhelmingly were the talking point but they shouldn’t be judged as the reason for the performance. It was our bewildering inability to adapt and be prepared for the conditions…. oh and it was also Gold Coast themselves, they brought the heat we didn’t.

Kicking a winning score was always going to be difficult without a Taberner, Walters and Switkowski. When the Suns’ mids got on top and then their forward pressure came… we got hung out to, obviously metaphorically, dry.

Some positives on a dark day, Griffin Logue’s form continued as he broke the all time Freo record for intercepts with 17. Neil Erasmus showed us signs he’ll be a career mid for the next dozen years and, while part of a beaten midfield, Will Brodie carried on his hard ball getting ways with a game high 17 contested of his 27 possessions.

Anyone who indulges in the ‘old man Malthouse trade Fyfe’ talk got a reality check. We had no one to stop the rot… A big Fyfey would have been handy.

Darcy uncharacteristically lowered his colours and, despite his best one-handed mark attempts, Lobb had no influence which left all the points with Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts. But to be fair, they weren’t on their own. We had few winners out there Sunday.

Maybe the loss just resets the expectations and brings them back into line with reality. Nothing goes up in a straight line and teams will always throw in an uncharacteristic inexplicable one. Anomalies aren’t trend changers, we’re still on the up.

Maybe, its simply the loss we had to have.

So, join us for a reviewing paddle through Sunday’s waterlogged game as we mop up the spillage and refill the expectation glass to half full.

As Freo fans it feels a bit weird ridiculing Gold Coast’s trades. Doesn’t mean we’re not going to do it, but just feels weird. Time to Restump Podcast Sunday’s clash against the Suns.

We’ve not got a great recent record at Gold Coast’s home ground Metricon stadium, but then again… with two losses from three games there this year, neither do the Suns.

Some expected big ins but a somewhat surprising yet also understandable out with Brandon Walker, having been told to take a spin around the oval with the Peel boys. Fresh off taking care of Curnow and Cameron, Griffin Logue returns to play his 50th.

Alex Pearce and his defensive crew will look to contain the in form Levi “Rock the” Casboult all while keeping short leashes on the dangerous Izak Rankine and Ben Ainsworth.

Will Brodie makes his return to the place where it barely began. So its safe to say he won’t be humming the Cheers tv show theme song, “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.” Brodie will be looking to continue making the statement he has in the first 8 rounds.

With Switta and Sonny side-lined and still no Tabs, 3 or 4 goals more now fall on the shoulders of the collective. The forecast is for 25 degrees and rain…. I don’t know about you but that sounds like the perfect weather for the Cyclone to me!

Sean “Swaggy Oh” Darcy has only played against Jarrod Witts once in his career and it was a break even contest. They’re both in cracking form but we’ll back Darce, with back up from Lobby, to relentlessly drive Jarrod mad, possibly to Witt’s end.

We have to keep an eye on Touk Miller after his rare quiet one last week, Matty “Notepad” Rowell is back on his way to becoming that contested possession king and the slick big ball winning youngster Noah Anderson returns to the Suns line up.

It’s a game we should win but the Suns are a bit unpredictable and they’re are coming off a big win over the Swans on the their home deck last week.

Fyfe is on the way back, Matty Johnson is closing in on returning to the WAFL but unfortunately the Disco is out for an extended period.

We see Luke Jackson making his way West this weekend and wonder if room in the schedule has been made for a bit of chat. The Chief has found out a bit more about Bob’s role down at the club and we bring it home with another episode of the informative segment, Ask Jojo.

So stop reading this rubbish and join us on the pod by clicking a bunch of links and buttons until you get our purple preview nonsense in your ears.

Safe to say North’s rebuild could do with a Jim’s Handyman. Time to Restump Podcast Friday night’s result in which Freo hopped over the Kangas.

Six wins on the bounce… who is this purple outfit?

As Fremantle fans we know too well what North supporters are going through so there will be no showboating from us. However, it was pleasing to put away a side in the manner we should have, as it is something we have rarely been able to do.

It was a methodical, disciplined and systematic performance from a club that is growing in professionalism.

Starting with the Busseltonian, Jye “Nev” Amiss. Sometimes footy delivers moments you hope for but can’t realistically expect. If you were writing a script pre-match you would have been pretty proud of your work. His first kick first goal was one special moment.

But above and beyond the moment, and more importantly, what a pick 8 product we have got for the next 10 to 15 years! He moved well, didn’t seem overawed, he looked comfortable and settled and while he may make way for Tabs and Lobb, he’s not far away from returning if he does.

That’s enough Jye love… let’s get to Mr Fix It. The man who wears many hats and performs a multitude of roles often even within games! Jimmy Aish put in a ripping game but not one that could be classed as rare. 30 touches and 5 clearances, he was a notable standout and another who has seen his performance rise substantially this year. On Friday night he owned the fastest hands in the west.

But you cant talk cracking games without mentioning future captain Andy Brayshaw. We can get a bit unintentionally complacent with Andy’s work given his regularity but its genuinely difficult to not have him up in the calibre of the league's best. Leading by example and intent, 34 touches, 10 clearance and 7 marks… its ridiculous he’s 23 years of age!

Oh to hell with this…. Lets stop beating around the bush! It was a deadest procession Friday night. If North were any slower to move early on they’d have been statues and you could go as far as to realistically suggest North may have put up a more competitive first quarter had David Noble selected actual Kangaroos!

But hey let’s keep a lid on it, stay reserved and humble, don’t rock any boats and allow this purple juggernaut to roll on.

We talk everything Friday night, we go over Malthouse’s moronic remark, as usual we wander into things that don’t concern us and bring it home with our first Butcher of the Week winner!

So, ride the Mexican wave and join us for more emotionally conflicting, many failed attempts at measured purple praise masquerading as analysis.

The one Jyed Freo supporting Busselton folk are coming! This is a game they would Nev Amiss. Time to Restump Podcast Friday night’s ‘marquee’ game against the Roos.

When you hear covid hit and six of your players are out… you immediately do the Sean Darcy umpire remonstrating disguising hands to your head move! But then you realise Chappy, Young and Darcy are three of the ins, you hear Jye Amiss’ name confirmed and Liam Henry is back for another crack at it! Suddenly the blood pressure returns to its optimal range and you’re in ‘no worries’ territory.

Six changes to a team would usually see a team’s chances lessen and their odds blow out. The bookies see little to no problem for us as they have Freo at $1.08 to beat North Melbourne.

8% return on investment in 80 minutes…. easier earn than on the end of a shovel! No that isn’t investment advice and remember here at the Restump we always gamble irresponsibly, so don’t follow us!

Sammy Sturt, while a chance at still being called up, was a notable omission and with Connor Blakely missing a berth you’d have to think the chances of seeing him in purple again are getting slimmer by the day.

With North’s tall defence, consisting of the likes of Aiden Corr 195cm, Josh Walker 197cm, Ben McKay 201cm, could this be a night out in more ways than one for Lachie Schultz, Sammy Switkowski and Sonny Walters?

It seems it’s a game we should just be banking the four points from and moving on from. But when you get ahead of yourself and allow complacency to creep in…. strange things occur. No doubt JL has that covered!

The West Coast Eagles are in a bit of strife so we give them a bit of a lift and a pump up in the Neighbourhood Watch segment and the chatter about Luke Jackson is getting louder.

All that and shedloads more for those who don’t have high standards on their listening content. God help us if anyone raises the bar on the quality of what they wish to listen to!

But until you do, click play, head in with low expectations and we’ll do our best to meet them.

They said we couldn’t do it and they wrote us off. But we prevailed, our mighty Freo Dockers beat Tom Stewart by 3 points! Time to Restump Review Podcast Freo's big win over the Catters.

Still haunted by their harrowing defeat in the 2013 qualifying final, we made sure their purple nightmare continued. We’re trying to keep the lid on things but we’re going to need more help.

We weren’t going to be able to match them on their advantageous uniquely shaped poxy ground, we were told. Guess what? The Cats had to apply for and obtain a hall pass from us to use their own corridor. None were granted.

We were a bit off the pace early but that country air can have some relaxing effects on you. The collective soon recognised the laconic stupor they were in, made the adjustments and got their act together to begin moving as that cohesive unit, we’re becoming familiar with.

Can we just stop for a moment’s silence to acknowledge the work of Griffin Logue in blanketing Jeremy Cameron?

I don’t know if you all took part in the moment but shame on you if you didn’t!

What a performance by Griff! After last week’s shut down defensive role on Charlie Curnow, he never gave Jeremy Cameron a look in on Saturday. Griff now has to always be the first port of call for the big forward with high athletic capabilities.

And let’s not overlook the performance of partner in crime Alex Pearce who, it must be said, was a little shaky early with ball in hand. Worryingly Tommy Hawkins looked switched on early and, as he has terrorised us in the past, we had some fears. But after quarter time Captain Pearce said, enough of that rubbish, and he never gave the Hawk another gawk!

We’ll go over plenty more on the pod but can we please firstly remove our hats and give Blakey Acres the respect and the nod of acknowledgement he so thoroughly deserves. He has fast become one of our most important players and few, if any, would have thought that pre-season. All credit to him.

We’re six wins, one loss, second on the ladder with North Melbourne to come this Friday night. We have a few covid concerns but we’re in terrific shape.

So, if, like us, you can’t stop talking Freo footy, click play and join in because we’re definitely ‘the more the merrier’ type people.

Jojo takes us through all aspects of the game, we raise the question on whether Geelong should be an AFL venue going forward, Adam Looney Cooney suggests Gaff should head to Freo, the commentary team gets the thumbs up but the Chief has an issue with Kath Loughnan which he apparently needs clarification of. All that and sadly plenty more of the Freo folly no one asked for!

We’ll do our best to get the right balance of Jojo’s insightful analysis and tolerate the Chief’s nonsense. So cut us some slack and click play on an hour of Freo fanfare!

Could we be about to reignite the vicious Lyon-era rivalry with the Cats? We will have a Clark of the Course to oversee it! Time to Restump Preview Podcast Saturday’s Cat clash.

Think of Matty Scarlett only getting the equivalent of a five minute holiday for king hitting Hayden Ballantyne in an unprovoked attack. Yes, Ballas got a couple for knocking Paul Chapman in the same game, but it was a misguided retaliatory self-defensive action, a case of mistaken identity.

Think of Steve Johnson and his initial weird unwillingness to shake the hand of the great Ryan Crowley, who had just put him through 80 minutes of relentless “how’d you like that one” type treatment.

Think of Fremantle getting shafted by the AFL and shunted down to Geelong to play that qualifying final in 2013, only to come out victors. And what about the provocative Mock-A-Docker double page spread in the Geelong Advertiser!

(Did you know that if you go outside late at night when it is quiet, and you turn an ear to the east, you can hear Geelong folk still grinding their teeth over that loss to us!)

And then think about today! Us securing Jordan Clark picking up Matty Johnson and leaving the Cats with pennies on the dollar.

Sure, they did well years back when they picked up Sam Menegola and got him going and lets not forget they royally stung us in 2016, when they got us to pay massive overs when we parted with pick 63 for Shane Kersten.

Oh, the picturesque event littered trail a deep and meaningful, nasty at times, rivalry creates. That rivalry flame is sadly dim, only just flickering and it needs attention. Could Jordan Clark be the igniting spark that brings it roaring back to life?

If you’re looking for something to get you through part of Friday, something to cut the wait until our Purple troops destroy the hoops on Saturday, then join us for a sneaky peak preview, of the young band of purple misfits taking on the aging Gee-long in the tooth rock stars.

As always your time is valuable so listen responsibly and know when to stop.

The ground being covered by Acres is a lot. In fact, it’s probably several lots. Time to Restump Review Podcast Freo’s significant victory over the Blues.

That was some performance. A one in all in four quarter role playing display signifying we may well be a serious team. Not counting the chickens just yet because there are tougher tests to come, but mark this win down as a reference point to look back on as the standard going forward.

To go with the Blues’ midfield, it ticked yet another developmental box aiding the belief we’re on track to contention territory. A Geelong and a Melbourne in the next few weeks will provide greater clarity but, maybe this year maybe not, the tilt is building.

Blake Acres’ rise this year has astonished most, if not all, and possibly even himself. His improvement in his wing role has been an integral part of the team’s improvement and on Saturday night it was evident again.

We’ve lobbed criticisms at Rory on numerous occasions simply out of frustrations regarding his inconsistency and intent. He again showed why and what he is capable of. If he brings that performance weekly, he’s as valuable as anyone.

Sammy Switkowski is getting continuity and now delivering. Freddy played the best two possession game you’ll ever see, Shultzy is at fever pitch and if you didn’t already think Sonny was back…. he’s back!

The mids did their thing but don’t get us started on singing the praises of the backs. Griffin Logue’s job on Charlie Curnow was something else but the collective defensive unit cohesively controlling the Carlton cabal was methodical!

And spare a thought for the coach. This is a big moment for JL. It was the coming together of all the pieces of his plan he’s been working on since he got to the club and the result of it unfolded before our very eyes.

We got through this without the need to bash Cez! We got him enough in the lead up and we’ll all launch into next time we take on the Blues but this win was too impressive and too meaningful to take anything away from it.

So, if, like us, you can’t stop talking about Saturday night’s momentous victory… click play and join the purple raving and rambling.

In his best Tony Greig voice, Billy Birmingham said “A grudge is nothing more than a place to park your car.” We respectfully disagree. Time to Restump preview podcast Saturday night’s much anticipated grudge match!

Yes Ok, there are four points on offer and we don’t want to take our eyes off the bigger picture prize…. but great meaningful entertaining long-term rivalries are built on stubbornly held grudges… so look out apron-string boy!

There’s a bit of a nostalgic old school Freo about this upcoming game. Sean Darcy making his intentions public and coach JL saying you should hand in your membership if you’re not filthy on Cez! (Well that’s what I read between JL’s lines… the inference was there!)

Prime time Saturday night, us and the Blues at similar developmental stages, both four and one, Jack Newnes is playing and Cez had the audacity to recently state he wanted to be part of building something from the ground up! We’re one win and four losses in our last five encounters and haven’t beaten them since 2018. And let’s also not forget round 3 last year when the Blues deliberately singled out, took to and viciously bullied Andy Brayshaw!

All the above plays a complimentary and respectful role, adding to the emotional and inspiring experience of the Len Hall game and the Anzac Day weekend. It promises to be one special occasion.

While we were singling the Blues over the losses of Angus Young and Tracey Chapman, it isn’t music to our ears! Their absence will seriously hurt us against Carlton’s powerful forward line. But Griffin Logue’s inclusion down back and a returning Sargent Schultz putting anything in blue under pressure up forward, has somewhat changed our tune.

Is Carlton’s naming of Paddy Crips a ruse? One week for a hamstring? Are the Blue baggers playing funny blue buggers?

We’re buzzing with anticipation and just can’t sit still waiting for this game to come around! Plenty more to go over though, matchups, selection chatter, coaches covid, Lobby, Sonny and Alex Pearce. We touch on the umpiring debacle without animated arm and hand movements and then we round it out with a listener’s question in the juggernaut that is the “Ask Jojo” segment.

So, pick up your plugs, put em in your ports and piers, press play on this hour of purple poppycock and join us potting that punk who pinched our pesos, played us and pi55ed off!

(You have to ask the question... how much nonsense can two people come up with!)

Whatever the case…. We can’t wait for Saturday night. Get in Freo!

We’re four and one, and second on the ladder with a healthy 141%. The real tests are to come but it’s our best start to a season since 2015. Time to Restump Podcast Sunday’s Purple procession.

Off the top it was good to see Tabs get a bucket load with half a baker’s dozen. He was the first Docker to kick 7 goals in a game since Matthew Pavlich did ten years ago in 2012.

It was pretty scratchy for 2 ½ quarters but the game never felt out of control. A bit of tidying up of disposal and some gorilla grip on the palms to ensure marks stuck, was all that was needed.

While everyone seemed a tick off their game, the tall timber down back kept control. Alex Pearce returned not only to the team but to his All Aussie contention best, while Brennan Cox marked everything, moved like a midfielder and hit more chests than a pirate!

It was as if Heath Chapman, Jordan Clark and Hayden Young were swinging meat cleavers early as they did their fair share of butchering. But all three rectified the errors and went from butchering the ball to carving up the Bombers.

Brayshaw enjoyed the absence of a close checking shadow, Will Brodie is putting a body of work together none of us saw coming and geez, its handy to have someone by the name of Serong just slot back in.

The Disco danced his way up and down the wing leaving a conga line of Bombers behind him and with another 20+ disposal game, it was like he had his own Disco ball.

Across the paddock a seemingly new and improved Blake Acres again provided plenty of run and option, although a teammate or two may have a word to him about hospital handpasses.

While Shultzy was missed, Freddy, Switta and Sonny held up their end of the bargain. Not sure what is going on with Sonny’s radar as his usual flawless goal kicking has gone all…. Fyfe-like! (Sorry Fyfey)

We could bang on and on about it all day and if you listen to the pod… we probably do. But the reality is it was just a hit and run mission to collect the four points. Mission complete. (We're not convinced those Bombers are fitted with the latest and greatest defence system technologies)

There’s all the above, as well as a hell of a lot more that no one asked for and then we bring it home with some breaking news in a Neighbourhood Watch episode.

So, bung this purple claptrap in your ears…. I mean lets face it, you’re already suffering knowing you have to head back to work after the Easter long weekend... so what’s a little more suffering on top!

It’s a battle with the Bombers so we’re russian Serong back in, while Alex Pearce is in charge of enforcing a No Fly Zone in Peter Wright air space! Time to Restump Podcast Easter Sunday’s clash.

We needed to make hay while the sun shone on our favorable first five round draw. Win Sunday in round five and our four wins and one loss will be our best start to a season since 2015 when we won the first nine straight.

Concerningly our record against Essendon at Marvel isn’t flash… and that is being kind. Fourteen times we’ve played the Bombers at the venue with the roof and we’re stuck on the single victory. Our last seven against them at all grounds we’re again stuck on the single win…. that said, five of them have been under the roof!

So, it is safe to say we’re in desperate need of a trend changing win over the Bombers at the Marvel Tomb on Easter Sunday and this is as good a chance as we’re likely to get.

Serong, Pearce and Banfield come in while Logue has to be desperately unlucky to get dropped and, disappointingly, Erasmus didn’t get a 3rd consecutive game after not really putting a foot wrong.

Coach JL made his way back in, unfortunately passing the Covid baton to Shultzy. However, we suspect the virus may come off second best in that battle!

Easter holidays are upon us and a lot of families are on the road travelling. So, bung this half an hour of purple palaver on, turn it up and drown out the racket of the arguing kids in the back seat!

Word of warning to those behind the wheel though… we have been known to put people to sleep!

Happy Easter to you all who have ever donated a minute of your valuable time to listen to our nonsense. We’re eternally grateful… yet bewildered. Carn Freo!

Freo did such thorough homework on GWS, it was as if they’d beanstalking the Giants! Yeah Ok.. enough of that, its time to Restump Podcast Saturday’s magnificent victory.

Now that was a performance to put a pep in your post game step and a glide in your Monday stride!

We went in with concerns of the Giants’ midfield… but we forgot that where there’s a Will there’s a way. 37 disposals of which 21 were contested…. what a dependable asset Will Brodie is rapidly becoming.

Old man Mundy returned to scoop a lazy 30, Brayshaw still found a way to contribute under a strong tag and let’s not overlook the rare inside work of Jimmy Aish.

The forward pressure was off the scale with Switta, Schultzy, Freddy and Sonny all putting in 4 quarter performances, and while again we didn’t exactly capitalise on it, it went along way to getting us the result.

Brennan Cox took control of the first half before handing the intercept marking baton over to Griffin Logue to bring it home. Clark and Walker had quieter days but both contributed.

In an efficient use of two for one congratulatory time, we dip our lids in acknowledgment of their feats and say well done Young Chap. Our two attacking defenders are in blue sky improvement territory!

We could go on and on but we’ll save the rest of the pouring of adulation for the podcast. However, one man that deserves a mention… the literal Giant slaying Travis Colyer’s performance Saturday cannot be overstated!

So, all that and plenty more to discuss like what does Blake Acres’ form mean for Liam Henry? Does Alex Pearce walk straight back in? How do we finally fix our inaccuracy? And was JL sending telepathic coaching messages? Then we bring it home with another episode of the Ask Jojo segment.

So, if you can put up with our palaver, plug in, push play and put this pedantic piece of audibly perceptible purple pandemonium in your Lords and Peers.

Must have been a tough decision to drop Lloyd after a career best game. He’s on the up, looking for game time… is he entering the sights of the poachers? Time to Restump Podcast preview the Freo V GWS clash and pray for our mids.

We’re not taking anything away from the boys for their win last week and you can only beat who you’re up against which they did. However, we’re going to need to go up a level to take care of the Giants.

The midfield battle holds the key and with the likes of Taranto, Green, Kelly and Ward up against, no doubt, a Matty de Boer tagged Brayshaw, a Mundy off a 20 day break, a Will Brodie and second gamer Neil Erasmus who will know he’s been in an AFL game late Saturday night…. it’s a scary assignment. Hopefully some Darcy dominance somehow helps provide first use.

Is it possible Rory Lobb might be the difference? Is there a little extra motivation for him in that could he be seeing this game as his audition? $7 for most goals? Don’t follow us, our results suggest we game irresponsibly!

Jesse Hogan looked very lively last week against Gold Coast and there might just be a little bit extra pep in his step on Saturday as he lines up against us for the first time since his departure.

Our forward pressure needs to be in the elite category because if not, Whitfield, Cumming and Perryman could cut us to ribbons. Schultzy, Freddy and Sonny….. give us a repeat of last week!

This proves to be one intriguing and interesting game. Sure, we know we need to raise our level but, while they’ve shown positive signs, the Giants haven’t exactly set the year on fire with losses to Sydney at home and Richmond away. Plus they’re not the greatest of travelers with just a 37% winning strike rate away from home.

However, whichever way you look at this game it does appear as though the midfield decides the result. Freo at $1.84 favourites…. we’re hoping the bookies get this one right but we’re not keen to part with any hard earned this week.

But when all is said and done, we can’t wait for the challenge Saturday night.

If you’re not sick of the Restump Podcast nonsense by now, you really should get yourself checked out because you can’t be at all well. However, on your way to see the Doctor, bung this half an hour in your ears and ironically take your mind off your issues!

ForeverFreo #FremantleDockers #Fremante #Dockers #AFL #AFLW #GWS #GreaterWesternSydney #NeverSurrender #Purple #BleedPurple #FreoLove #FreoLife #GoFreo #AFLMemes #FreoMemes #AFLPodcast #Sports #Sportspodcast #AFLEaglesGiants

What about the Razzamatazz! If we didn’t know and someone told us Erasmus was a debutant, we’d have accused you of smoking whatever West Coast were in 2006! Time to Restump Podcast the Eagle and Eaglet massacre.

Sure, we have to be measured in our true assessment of Sunday’s Derby win and, in time, we will be. But before common sense and rationally creeps in, lets just kick back and enjoy the Eagle and Eaglet massacre that was. After last week against the Saints, Sunday’s result and spectacle was vital.

Yes, we know West Coast were severely undermanned but that doesn’t take away the excitement of seeing a slick and seemingly bulked up Brandon Walker in an Eagle’s home game hitting chests and destroying nests!

It doesn’t hinder us from admiring the wonderful performance of the debutant Neil Erasmus, nor does it stop us reminding the West Coast Eagles that they should have given Raz a phone call and a pen!

And it does nothing to deter us from basking in the glorious goal kicking of the Disco and cheering him on as he runs a celebratory lap!

Seeing Heath Chapman hit targets and set up attacks with such composure under pressure was like we’d just seen a purple unicorn! Watching Blake Acres throw his ample weight around and play arguably his best game for the club made you give a nod of acknowledgement and to see the great Sonny Walters wind back the clock with ferocious intent and creativity…. It brought a tear of joy to our eye.

All any Freo fan was calling for was a commitment across the board and a four-quarter consistent effort. That is what we finally had delivered.

Yes, we’ll be more analytical in the podcast and we’ll be more measured and constructive but we’re not dismissing the moment for what it was.

Last week against the Saints was probably as flat a feeling as we have had, and as long term Freo fans, we have our share of flat feelings to choose from. But we needed that performance against the Eagles, we needed to see something to lift the spirits and provide us with some hope.

Sure, we all know we need to improve on that performance to go toe to toe with the more credentialed teams, but we’ll worry about the Giants when we get to them on Saturday. For now, we’re simply enjoying this moment in time. Click play and jump in ears deep as we spend an hour reminiscing and critiquing.

Players coming and going and now Jamie Graham steps in for JL. Did we just miss an opportunity to be double parked in the coaches box for a Derby? Time to Restump Preview Podcast Derby day… if we can call it a preview!

This current AFL climate is making it near on impossible to preview games in WA with any degree of conviction. There’s a lot of guess work and while Ross won’t, we momentarily have to deal in hypotheticals. It all adds up to poor podcast connectivity and disposal inefficiency.

With Justin Longmuir out under covid protocols, it was an interesting decision to promote Jamie Graham to the role of top dog. Wouldn't a true Fremantle man who has been there, done that and destroyed some of the Eagle greats, be the man to take the reins in a Derby?

Matty Taberner is going to struggle, Mundy is out for another week, Sean Darcy is walking laps, Serong has a knee niggle, Sonny Walters has a hand issue… we could be neck deep in the Mulligatawny!

On the plus side, Brennan Cox looks likely to return and Josh Treacy is coming up from an ankle issue nicely.

Who knows what the teams will look like as there is a lot of time between now and Sunday! However, if Andy Gaff’s name pops up on the West Coast Eagle ins, could there be a late change on Freo’s list and we see the inclusion of Hamish Brayshaw?

We wish the Docker Girls, who are in a prelim final this weekend, all the very best, but we do so without the use of a whiteboard and horrendously poor handwriting!

We cannot afford to go 1 and 2 after 3 games this Sunday. It’s simply a must win, regardless of who is and who isn’t out there. Last week’s debacle demands a monumental response, which includes retrieving the 4 points.

We’re all doing it tough at the minute but if you want some more character building purple pain to push through, click play and put this adversity in your ears.

We’ve never advocated throwing the baby out with the bathwater… but there is always an exception to the rule. Thankfully rational heads prevailed and we took refuge in the Disco’s highlight. Time to Restump Podcast yesterday’s shemozzle… err we mean game.

It’s safe to say that was one difficult pill to swallow and while we’d like to wrap it up, bury it and forget it ever existed, talking it through is the first step to being at peace, enabling us all to move on.

You all watched it, you saw the unravelling, the capitulation, the confusion and the incoherence so we will spare you the deep details here and save you from having to stare at the painful words on a screen.

Over the last 24 hours we looked at it with our clear calm and rational brains to try and make sense of something…. anything. Positives were few and far between and finding them required a mining operation but we struck some pretty decent grades of gold with Andy Brayshaw. What a performance!

The unnerving part of yesterday’s loss was that it was more than just a two-goal trip-up. It brought to the surface an array of issues with the ‘rebuild’ which we dig deep into.

We talk Sonny Walters, the shallowness of our midfield and the inability of our defensive structure and or personnel to defend small forwards.

Serong has been a touch off the boil but he’ll fight his way back and Hayden Young was brilliant yet butchered it at the same time.

We bring it home trying to work out how to get Luke Jackson back to WA and into the purple and we roll out a somewhat hypocritical Neightbourhood Watch episode.

So, join us for this hour of much needed group therapy so we can all talk it out and help each other through the difficult Docker day that was. We’re all strong enough to weather the purple storm… for as we know a result like yesterday… it wasn’t our first rodeo!

Covid selection casualties, Fyfe breaking injury news on national TV, conflicting revelations… it’s a confusing climate in which to attempt a preview. But it’s time to add to the lack of clarity and Restump Podcast Sunday’s game against the Saints.

Despite the team being named, it feels as if selections are still very much up in the air. However, one certainty is we’re about to see the eagerly awaited return of Joel Hamling after 372 days on the sidelines.

No Mundy and no Fyfe leaves our midfield hopes resting on the shoulders of youngsters. Brayshaw, Serong and Brodie will present well but Jack Steel may well have another field day. Does Darcy Tucker step in? Does Sonny Walters finally get the midfield green light?

Is Sean Darcy really back or is he part of the apparent shenanigans and a bit of a red herring?

The Liam Henry knockers got their wish as he has been dropped but it seems a very odd week to omit him considering who his direct opponent(s) are likely to be.

Josh Treacy has felt the sharp edge of the wedge but his inclusion isn’t yet out of the realms of possibility.

Jojo McDonnell has gone out on a limb and all but declared Nathan “The Disco” O’Driscoll will be running out onto Optus to debut on Sunday. Does he know something we or possibly even The Disco or the club don’t?

It’s a tricky game to assess and predict but…. then again when have our Freo boys ever made that simple?

Fyfe breaking his news on the national television raised our eyebrows, as did JL concealing of our covid protocol players. Are we suffering communication missteps or are there factions on different pages down at Limestone Park?

We’re thinking about starting a campaign to lobby Fox Footy to give us the Adam Papalia and Will Schofield commentary team for every Freo game. The compromise will be that we never see the Dwayne Russell and Kelly underwood combination ever again!

Difficult preview this one with all the conflicting and confusing factors but its not like us to make sense of anything anyway so it’s probably business as usual. 40 plus minutes of purple noise right here that we hope you can make heads or tails of…. because we can’t!

We got out of jail and we’re heading straight to the bank with the four points. Time to Restump Podcast the emotional rollercoaster victory over the Crows.

It’s safe to say we often make things more difficult than they need be but we snared the win, collected the valuable four points and added another chapter in the Freo folklore journal.

It was a novel way to win and Heath Chapman deserves a thanks and a congratulations. But while such occurrences are part of football’s charm, Chappy’s match saving tap should never have been necessary.

In the words of Simon and Garfunkel… “Hello inaccuracy our old friend I’ve come to talk to you again.” 11 goals 17 (28 shots) to 12 goals 10 (22 shots) and we pinch it by a point. We’ve still got some work to do.

But that’s enough negativity. We went over without a Fyfe, a Darcy and a Taberner and came home with a win and four points to get our season going. 44 points got a finals berth last year, that’s now 40 more for us.

Andy Brayshaw was superb; Lachie Schultz obviously doesn’t know the meaning of the term self-preservation and Jordan Clark hit such speed he was blurry.

Will Brodie surprisingly saw only 65% game time and that raises some questions. Sonny Walters struggled to get involved, the great often infallible David Mundy shocked when he missed a target or two but Griffin Logue did some third quarter defensive work which greatly enabled the one-point victory.

We have to find a way to stop opposing teams getting run ons as the Crows piled on seven goals in a row on us. However, while we struggled to find a solution for that, we more importantly found a way to win.

We blow up a bit about the commentary team assigned to our game and Fox Footy’s cost cutting measures. How many times do we have to hear Josh Rachelle’s soccer story?

Concerningly censorship has found its way into the Restump as Jojo McDonnell panicked and not only shut down the Chief’s Neighborhood Watch segment episode midway through but has warned it might be on hiatus.

In 2010 we beat Adelaide in round one and went on to reach a semi-final. We’ve beaten Adelaide in round one again… is a semi-final on the cards in 2022? One game down, twenty-one to go and four points on the board.

If you’re a glutton for purple punishment and too much Freo fanfare is never enough then by all means click play and infect your ears. Unfortunately, we must warn we cannot offer listen lost time refunds.

No Darcy, No Tabs, no Fyfe….. but in the words of the great Alf Stewart, we can still ‘Stone The Flamin Crows’. It’s time to Restump preview Podcast round one and pray for a forward showing in the city of churches!

A new season brings new purple hopes and aspirations. We need to make good use of our first five rounds at least if we want to see finals, starting at Adelaide Oval Sunday.

We look at the lineups, the potential keys to the game. In the absence of Sean Darcy, Can Lloyd “Braun” Meek break even with Windscreens O’Brien?

Is Cyclone Treacy ready to storm the Crows' defenders? Has the Tucker Truck got the food fuel reserves to come in without either of the preseason games under his belt and can Freddy continue generating scoring shots?

Without Tabs, Darcy and Fyfe, Rory Lobb just has to be the man that stands up. We need a performance from Lobb that we know he can deliver!

The Chief takes an undeserved swipe at the great Bob Murphy and then brings us home with a pitch to get Angus Brayshaw into the purple.

Jojo McDonnell had a bit to do with Liam Henry on his journey to the AFL and now he will see another youngster, Gus Sheldrick, who he had a hand in coaching, make his debut for the Swannies. So we wish Gus all the very best.

Round one against the Crows on Sunday funday… we can’t wait! Meanwhile to pass the time quicker, click play and join the hype!

Is it now or never or could it just be round two for Fyfe? Lots of Freo fires breaking everywhere so it’s time to Restump Podcast the latest particulars at the port on the eve of round one.

Whether the captain plays round one or not, his position looks settled in the midfield. It's where he wants to be and where he does his best work. At $18 could he immortalise with a 3rd Charlie?

We got through preseason pretty well in relation to injuries so a hamstring for Matty Tabs days before round one isn’t ideal. Can Josh Treacy and Rory Lobb stone the Crows?

Tucker and Erasmus never got a look in, in either of the preseason games against West Coast but their names are in the round one conversations.

Brandon Walker might be the unluckiest guy going around. He hasn’t put a foot wrong, he’s training the house down, banging the door down but he might have a tough time breaking into the deep backline.

Jojo McDonnell takes us through his preferred twenty two for round one, his possibilities and notable omissions.

Connor Blakely has apparently started a lawn mowing business and consequently he has literally and metaphorically entered a turf war with Aaron Sandilands. Is Connor getting a bit edgy about his future? Is he hedging his bets? Is mowing lawns the only way he’s going to get out on the paddock this year?

We’re thrilled Tobe Watson and Stefan Giro might get another opportunity, but we’re worried the West Coast Eagle culture might get its hooks into our former Freo friends. Thankfully Hamish Brayshaw got out in time as he looks to join brother Andy at Freo as a Covid top up player.

Jojo replies to some criticism of Liam Henry and then we bring it home with a continuation of the Jack Darling themed Neighbourhood Watch segment.

You know the drill by now. If you have nothing else to do and you’ve set your podcast content listening bar exceptionally low, then this is the podcast for you.... if you’ve exhausted all other possibilities.

The season is about to kick off..... we can't wait!

The pre-season is a lot like dancing, or discoing, with your sister. It’s tame and lacking in intensity but it doesn’t mean we’re all Friends. It’s time to Restump Podcast the unpacking, reviewing and burying of Preseason 2022 so we can get to the real stuff.

After a couple of months of intraclub matches and then two games against the same opposition, the monotony kicked in. The enthusiasm was difficult to muster so the real stuff in a couple of weeks will be a sight for sore competitive home and away season desiring eyes.

The reality is, we looked better than we are in game one, but we’re better than we were in game two. The truth lies somewhere in the middle… sort of your 6th to 9th region on the premiership ladder.

The speed we displayed in game one was absent on Sunday as we returned to the stodgy stop start game after quarter time. The connection between the mids and the forwards disappeared and our horrendously inaccurate kicking boots made an unwelcome return.

While its dangerous to talk about positives in this current covid climate, Sonny Walters gave us a sign his head appears to well and truly be back in the game. And if there was a take out from the pre-season, Freddy may well be it. Inaccurate on Sunday, his progress is in the realms of leaps and or bounds.

Tabs and Mundy will benefit from the run and will be tip top for round one. With little to know full contact in the pre-season does the captain join them?

Is Neil about to leave Peel? Erasmus has to seriously be in the round one conversation. However, Treacy might have to fight his way in and we haven’t heard a great deal of Aish talk so far.

We fill our quotas of nonsense, we check in on our old and now former Lygon street dwelling traitorous mate and then we bring it home with another listener’s general advice seeking question in the ever popular, ‘Ask Jojo’ segment.

There is so much purple water to flow under the round one selection bridge between now and Sunday 20th March so we’ll get the oval shaped symmetrical conversational ball rolling. Press play, have a listen and then feel free to jump right in and join us, the discussion water is welcoming and warm.

The demoralisation of the West Coast Eagles became too heavy a burden for them to carry on Friday as they invoked the mercy rule. Time to Restump Podcast the Docker’s destructive display.

Was Friday a taste of things to follow? Yes it was a practice match, yes the Coasters suffered injuries, but pace, the sharp skills, the connection, the cohesiveness of Fremantle was just a pleasure to watch.

The improvement across the board coincided with Freo’s injection of speed, particularly through the likes of Jordan Clark. And there lies the irony… who would have ever thought an injection of speed would find the eagles out!

The great Lloyd “Braun” Meek looked hungry for some roasted bird. He did a power of work taking around 80% of the centre ruck contests and he cooked Nic Nat around the ground. He is up for the fight for a starting spot.

Welcome back Heath and Hayden. How exciting an attacking backline have we got with these two superb defenders. Throw in a Jordan Clarke and a Luke Ryan just to name a few and the opponents have a number of headaches.

Brayshaw and Serong did Brayshaw and Serong things, Mitch Crowden ensured his name is in the conversation and its difficult not to be happy with Will Brodie’s first look. Meanwhile a very slick winger in Liam Henry is in the process of being built.

The forwards worked like a well-oiled machine and God help Freddy’s future opponents! A bag of five was reward for his hard running and positioning. Schultz rarely misses out and Colyer picked up from where he left off from last year.

The Chief finally puts up the white flag and admits defeat on O’Driscoll but he left a parting jibe. Fyfe has gone the clean skin again which is apparently big news and then we bring it home with an important culture improving episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

All in all Friday was an early season treat, a joy to watch and a pleasure you talk about. Whether it is to listen to…. that remains to be seen. But we all need some purple passion in our pilgrimage to the port next week.

Is the grapevine chatter true? Is Nathan O’Driscoll in the round one conversation? It’s time to Restump Podcast the emergence of Noddy as well as all the weekly purple capers.

While it may be the preseason and understandably somewhat bruise free intraclub footy, Nathan “Noddy” O’Driscoll is goosifying the Chief and apparently making every post a winner.

There’s a buzz in the air, the anticipation is rising and its all because of the prospect of seeing a fit and healthy Hayden Young, Heath Chapman and Sam Sturt, to name a few, ready to rock and roll!

Try selecting your starting defensive line up? Back line real estate stock is going to be at a premium and extremely difficult to come by.

Sonny Walters out and Caleb Serong in. Is there a changing of the leadership group guard?

Nat Fyfe is dropping and gaining weight at ease. He’s literally looking lean and mean and set to be part of the round one scene.

After two years of foundation structural building, Coach Justin Longmuir is rightfully demanding consistency of performance this year.

It’s difficult to find something to complain about down Freo way but that didn’t stop the Collingwood girls on their recent trip here!

Disappointingly the Neighbourhood Watch returned and missed the mark but we saved the day ending on a high note with another episode of everyone’s favourite segment, Ask Jojo.

We’re not far from round one and we’re only days away from the first practise derby this Friday. So between now and then there’s enough time to click play and then regret the time you lost listening to this nonsense.

Extended heatwave warning with the Sonny climate to continue. Plenty going on so it’s time to Restump Podcast the latest happenings at the Purple Port.

A one year extension for the great Sonny Walters is a terrific result and no doubt there’ll more beyond that. We’re tipping a return to his elite form in 2022.

Alex Pearce receives free agent status at the completion of this year. Are there any concerns of Pearce being poached from the purple? Couple of interesting factors surround his contract.

Trav Colyer sings the praises of Jordan and Joel, the Mundy machine and the Fyfe Freak are both amazingly on track for round one, Erasmus is all but a lock and look out world there’s one happy Chappy making waves!

The Docker girls are possessed! After smashing the Blues, they might never lose again, especially now they’re back home.

Can Rory repair his image? Does he even own a Ukulele? Meanwhile Karl Worner navigated the border minefield and has now entered Westralia.

So, there’s no shortage of any purple particulars to prattle on about and that means if you have nothing better to do… and you’ve checked twice… there’s 45 minutes of time killing, ear offending Docker drivel to listen to here.

He’s committed but he’s not ruling out leaving! That translates to Rory will be looking to Lobb in Sydney. Time to Restump Podcast the unpacking of the Rory interview as well as the latest Freo affairs.

It’s difficult to know what Rory Lobb has committed to other than contradictions as his interview with AFL.com.au muddied the already murky waters. We dissect it in depth and look at it from a multitude of angles.

Training updates and the news is getting better each week. We’d need to check the historical reporting to see if we have ever been as close to top shape as we are at the moment, heading into the season… touch wood.

Fyfe is on the eve of full contact, Matty Tabs is back doing match simulation work and its Welcome Back Joel Hamling Kotter.

The Docker girls are on their way home which is great to see and it could have precedential ramifications for the guys. Meanwhile we also take a look at that magnificent hit Kiara Bowers delivered, which saw her receive a well-earned, but not deserved, two week holiday.

The practice match Derby gets underway on February 25th but strangely without crowds… who knows why but probably to protect those who haven’t had their 18th booster shot yet!

The unveiling of Freo’s new major sponsor, saw a few mono-brows raised while the meme-makers got handed a boatload of material.

We check in on the 2021 premiership coach to see if he can tip us a winner and we bring it home with the juggernaut segment, Ask Jojo.

So you know the drill by now. If you’re a lover of everything purple shades of Fremantle and you haven’t set the bar high on the quality of your listening content, then, providing you’ve exhausted all other audio options, bung this 45 minutes in your ears.

It’s about six weeks until the AFL season begins and the question on everyone’s minds is who are the premiership favourites that’ll take home the 2022 Covid Complication Cup? Was a big day with the Docker Dudettes taming the bulldogs and now it’s time to Restump Podcast the latest news in purple shoes.

We look at the Luke Valente departure. What do we do with the coveted No.29 jumper and the now vacant list spot?

With several injured players on the mend, Matty Johnson’s ankle issue isn’t what anyone needed. The question must be asked, has Limestone Park claimed another victim? And while on MJ, could we contemplate asking Liam Henry to give up the famous No.23?

Was it simply player unavailability or is there forward movement at the station chatter about Brennan Cox? After putting away four sausage rolls in the recent scratchy, questions will be asked.

And speaking of eating, is 2022 the break out year for The Tucker Truck? Darcy looked out of sorts out of position last year so a midfield role feeding the forwards may be the catalyst for improvement. Its food for thought!

We dissect the likelihood of another season under draconian West Australian covid restrictions. What are the immediate impacts and the potential near and distant ramifications for not only the clubs in the West and their financial wellbeing, but also the fans.

All that, plenty more and then we bring it home with another episode of everyone’s favourite segment, Ask Jojo. So, if you’re over the cricket and the tennis and you’ve cheered home the Docker girls, bung this purple nonsense in your ears.

However, as always take precautions and safety first. If you’re listening in public remember to mask up. Not for covid reasons but you don’t want to be identified as a Restump Podcast listener!

The Restump returns for the new season with the first podcast episode for 2022. While the girls are flying, news on the boys is a bit thin at the moment. However, a bit of embellishment here, some overexaggerating there and a touch of theatre thrown in and we’ve got ourselves an episode.

Andy Brayshaw increases his leadership qualities and his future captain credentials as each day passes. While his maturity greatly exceeds his age, will he be the next captain or could there be caretaker whenever Fyfe hands the baton over? Alex Pearce would be worthy and capable but is it necessary?

The great man and trend setter, Nat Fyfe, has another new look. He might also have a new foot after kicking 5 goals 1 in a training drill. Is that what it has come to? Are we really getting excited by goals on the training track?

The youngsters and new recruits have hit the training ground running and at this early stage its all coming up Millhouse. There’s a lot of effort going into keeping the lid on the Liam Henry Hoo-Hah about his wingmanship and we’re all trying to buy as much Erasmus stock as we can get.

The AFL’s venture into the Crypto world and inevitably the NFT space has Jojo champing at the bit so he’ll give us his thoughts there. The first episode of Ask Jojo for 2022 is being rolled out and the Chief brings us home with an ‘almost big pod guest’ story.

So, there’s all that and plenty more offseason nonsense in this 40 minutes of Docker dribble that will have you back watching the cricket in no time!

Does JL’s wife know he just asked Liam Henry to be his wingman? It's time to sneak a Restump Podcast in before the fat bloke in a red suit gets out of quarantine in a couple of days!

There’s a bit happening down at Limestone Park.

While it probably came as no surprise, Coach JL signed on for a further two years to be that integral piece of the rebuild puzzle and strategic plan. And he wasted no time celebrating as he Red Bulled Liam Henry and gave him his wing, an exciting prospect in 2022 and beyond.

Sonny looks switched on and he has set himself for a big 2022, a return to his lethal A-Grade best. He’s apparently owning his forward role but will pinch hit in the middle when need be.

Given the early grapevine chatter and hype, it is safe to say Neil Erasmust be doing something right while, on the other end of the spectrum, being told you’ve got work to do can’t be ideal for Luke Valente.

Poor ole Rory Lobb was doing his level best before his back gave way… possibly under the weight of his wallet. The Lobster will return to hopefully make his presence felt.

But our eyes are on the luckless Sammy Sturt who is making his way back and we just hope he gets a clear preseason and a decent run at it. It’s hard to believe he’s still only 21 years of age.

It’s sacrilege to critique the great David Mundy… but catalogue type poses in a field and fake laughing for product placement deals…. the cash would want to be substantial Dave!

The Christmas break is upon us and we know families can get a little overbearing and stressed at this time of year. So if you need a little break over the next week or so, sneak your airpods in your ears and click play. Just be sure to raise an eyebrow or nod every so often at the dinner table so it looks like you’re paying attention to the conversations.

On that note, we wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. We’d like to thank anyone who gives us their valuable time by listening to the Restump Podcast, anyone who provided us feedback or simply contributed. We’re genuinely blown away and humbled at the constant support, of which we’re extremely grateful, especially since we’re just having a boat load of fun.

We look forward to next season! Covid riddled and complicated or otherwise, challenge accepted!

On his current injury / incident rate, it is safe to say Hayden might not be so Young by the time he gets to string a season of games together. Never a dull Docker moment at Purple Park so its time to Restump Podcast all the latest happenings.

We previously wrapped up the first day of the draft but now we look at the productive day two.

Stone Henge and Matthew Johnson sliding to pick 21…. two eternal mysteries! With Mundy’s somewhat foreseeable retirement and the now risks of Fyfey’s longevity, we’ve potentially filled future needs with Erasmus and Johnson, who may receive the baton when required.

We couldn’t be more excited about Eric “Roy” Benning’s prospects in years to come. Is there a bit of the Clem Michaels or the Paddy Ryders about him? We can only hope so.

And lastly, did we potentially pick up our much-needed winger, Karl Worner, in the Rookie draft? He might need a little polish on his long kicking game but it looks like he has the skills, the clean hands, the overhead marking capabilities and the tank to potentially be our Ed Langdon replacement.

In non-draft news, Hayden Young suffered a small setback which must be frustrating him. Sadly, the Irishman, Ultan Kelm, is no longer coming out to be rookie listed. Apparently he didn’t want to do the six months quarantine ordered by Emperor McGowan!

Round one fixtures are out and we’re off to South Australia on a Sunday afternoon to play what should be an interesting and potentially tricky game against the Crows.

Sean Darcy is apparently in better nick than he has ever been, David ‘Old Man’ Mundy begins the journey to his 19 season and we have a chat about coach JL and a possible contract extension.

All that and we bring it home with another “Ask Jojo” episode.

So, if you’re bored and looking for some entertainment to get you through the down times…. let us know if you find a podcast that provides it. Meanwhile click play on this one and kill some time.

The Rolling Stones said "you can’t always get what you want." Well tonight, was one of those occasions that we did! We’re all pretty excited about the purple picks so it’s time to Restump Podcast the new Docker deliveries mid-draft.

There wouldn’t be too many, if any, Fremantle fans that have come away at the half way point in the draft disappointed. The Freo draft team held their nerve and got what they were after.

Jye Amiss at pick 8 and Neil Erasmus at pick 10 both potentially fill specific needs in the build. That leads us to pick 21 and what to do? Is it a clean take of Matt Johnson or does Belly field compelling offers from opponents after the valuable selection position just become extremely more valuable!

The strategic plan was released and Simon Garlic promised 8 premierships in the next four years and a million billion members! But better than that, the anchor is making a comeback!

Don’t let the draft day buzz die so bung this in your ears and click play but as always be cautious listening while driving… we’ve put insomniacs to sleep before!

On this special episode of the Restump Podcast we’re pleased to bring you a chat with the ever generous and knowledgeable, the West Australian Sport’s Jordan McArdle.

Jordan attends more community football than anyone in his endeavours to bring insightful content to the public and we’re extremely grateful he has donated some of his time to share it with us.

So, if you’re a draft enthusiast, particularly of the Freo fan variety, click play and have a listen to what we believe is an informative, entertaining and enjoyable chat ahead of next week's 2021 AFL Draft.

Apparently the Chief was at lunch and didn't get the call up in time so on this occasion, it’s a couple of Big Macs talking a draft over a draught.

Well, there isn’t a boat load of Docker data to deliver but scraping the bottom of the news barrel isn’t beyond us in an effort to put a Restump Podcast episode together.

In this episode we wonder the material impact Fyfey’s shoulder may have on the team. However, in some way the positive silver lining, should Fyfe’s complications continue, may well be further leadership and captaincy grooming for Andy Brayshaw.

It may not be the send off game we all so desperately wanted but we’re making the trek to Gin Gin to see Hilly go around once more next year. We’re not afraid to say we need some closure.

The AGM is coming up and we outline points of discussion we’d like raised.

Jason Webber is recommending Neil Erasmus to Fremantle. Does that raise any red flags? The boys are back on the training track and a few of them, Freddy in particular, appear as though they’ve returned in super nick.

We talk father son prospects and who we’re most looking keenly on as future possibilities and skin fold tests are out because the entire world is offended by everything. Closing us out the “Ask Jojo” segment returns with another intriguing question being put to the great man.

We’re having a bit of fun with the offseason pods just trying to bridge the Docker divide between now and round one 2022. So, if your desperate for some purple noise… and you’ve exhausted all other audio options… bung this in your ears and click play. `

Well with Fyfey now needing further surgery it’s not an ideal start to the 2022 season for the Captain. But a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback! Time for the latest episode of the Restump Podcast.

In this episode we take a look at a few potential interstate draftees. We mock pick 6,8 and 19 from the pool of talent without the WA contingent. A pretty difficult task considering the tall quality forwards we're after are predominantly West Aussies.

Nat Fyfe is often referred to as head and shoulders above the rest. After his recent run in with the sheep shearing clippers, there are grounds to suggest his shoulder situation isn’t his biggest issue at the moment! We offer up a lot of nonsensical commentary on the great man’s ever changing hair style and the cracked shoulder bone.

While there has been little to no fanfare regarding Darcy the Tucker Truck’s two year deal it could well turn out to be one of our very important signatures if we can overlook his 2021 year.

CEO Simon Garlic is seemingly advocating to make 17 game seasons permanent. The question has to be asked, is he just trying to reduce his own workload?

After recruiting a boatload of 30 year olds, Geelong Chief Executive Steve Hocking takes an interesting parting shot at Jordan Clark and fellow Geelong youngsters for not earning their spots.

We might be in the eye of storm between the trade period and the draft but we always find plenty of Docker drivel. So click play and join us, even if it’s just to fill the momentary purple voids we're all suffering.

foreverfreo #fremantledockers #afl #afldraft #fyfe #darcytucker #jordanclark #geelongfc #wearegeelong

There isn’t a whole lot of happenings in the Docker dimension at the moment so it’s more of a light-hearted Restump Podcast episode.

Did Justin Longmuir suggest the re-wire, re-pipe and re-stump failed? It might be the first time the club has publicly hinted that may be the case. It seemed a well-played return of serve by JL to the former Ross the Boss who took a couple of cheeky shots at the club a few months back!

Behind the scenes the coach has been putting the hard yards in trying to wrangle Josh Kennedy from the West Coast clutches. He hasn’t been successful as yet but JL will get his man for a future coaching role. While one of the rare ‘good blokes’ from that club, you have to wonder what irreparable damage he may have unwittingly suffered enduring 14 years with the West Coast Eagles.

There’s a hell of lot of fanfare around a recent arrival to Fremantle. Bob Murphy stepped into town and immediately took a few liberties with his outsiders and underdogs comments! Ease your way in Bob, nobody just buys their way into the purple. It takes time to become one of us.

It seems we’re heading down the alternate sport experts route again in our endeavours for improvement. For some reason we’ve engaged a golfing coach to help with the goal kicking accuracy. We were a fairway from an accurate side in 2021 so whether it helps or not, its par for the course and we just have to green and bear it.

The AFLW Freo Docker girls had their preseason photo shoots in a very rustic setting… or a rusted setting... in what looked like old tin sheds, Jojo introduces us to a new sport sweeping the planet called the Balloon Championships and there's an equine theme in the second, “Ask JoJo A Question” episode.

So if you’re looking a light-hearted often ridiculous listen of everything Freo Dockers, bang the plugs in your ears and click play. Safety Warning - given we’ll probably put you to sleep, we caution listening while driving.

Trade period done and dusted and there wouldn’t be too many unhappy Freo folk. Quite frankly… we won 2021 trade week! Time to unpack the events on this episode of the Restump Podcast.

It took a while but the Cat is out of the bag… or should that be out of the handbag! Jordan Clark has made his way to Freo securing us that exciting outside run and speed that we’ve been desperately missing since the departure of wingers Brad Hill and Ed Langdon.

Rory couldn’t Lobb a deal elsewhere so he returns to Freo, hopefully humbled and ready make amends for his wilful attempt at desertion while Will Brodie gets a fresh start and a new chance to ignite his AFL career.

Sure, we lost Adam Cerra which caused us some grief but we had time to come to terms with it and, as it has turned out, pick six in return isn’t too shabby. We’ll put it to very good use.

Coming out of trade period with Clark and Brodie, picks 6, 8, 19, 61, 69 and 84… that is pretty swish! We’re the only club to have two top ten picks and the only club to have three top 20 picks.

So, all the trade period recap, some interesting pieces around the league and the new segment “Ask Jojo” kicks off.

If you’re the glass half empty type on what Freo has done in the 2021 trade period…. tip the contents into a smaller glass, put your feet up, click play and see if you can endure this 45 minutes of Fremantle fanfare.

We thought we’d be doing a review podcast of completed trades but the Rory Lobb situation turned into a Hokey Pokey saga and the haggling over future third round draft picks regarding Jordan Clark continues. It took a bit of wind out of sails but we dug deep…. maybe a little scratching the bottom of the barrel too deep but we dug deep none the less.

It might be a bit awkward when Freo’s preseason gets underway! Putting your faith in a teammate who doesn’t want to be there wouldn’t be easy.

It hasn’t been one of the busiest days of the trade period for Freo but we look deeply into the Lobb saga. There’s disappointment and frustration and it currently feels like an unworkable situation with Rory and the Fremantle footy club.

What are the wide-ranging positives and negatives if Rory Lobb was to remain or leave? What’s fair value? Will a deal still be done?

Regarding Jordan Clark, is a future third round pick really the sticking point for Geelong? Squabbling over such seemingly insignificance seems odd but from our perspective, we’re in the box seat so hold the line Belly and make it a matter of principle!

While top 50’s aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on, the web space they occupy or the time it takes to read them…. someone has to take a stand regarding Fyfey’s omission from Robbo’s top 50… Paul Seedsman and Brandon Starcevich but no Fyfe.... really?

Sonny Walters is already back doing the early hard training yards and as we mentioned last week, young WA draftee gun Gus Sheldrick apparently hasn’t been spoken to by either WA clubs.

All that, plenty more and even a new “Ask Jojo A Question” segment is being unveiled. He just didn’t know it at recording time.

Here's half an hour trying to make heads or tails of the current Docker details so lets look at the positives.... it could have been longer!

There’s always something exciting when Freo are front and centre in trade week. Gone are the days when we traded the James Clements of the world for half a ham sandwich! It’s time for an opportunistic Restump Trade Podcast.

It seems so far in the 2021 trade perood for us Freo fans, everything is coming up Millhouse!

A former top ten draftee Will Brodie and a future pick have accompanied 2021 draft pick 19 to Freo proving that there really is gold on that coast.

Adam Cez found his way to the Blues in return for pick 6 and a future pick, which is probably as good a deal as could be done. It's safe to say Charlie Curnow is licking his lips… his own lips I mean…. not Cez’s!

Jordan Clark is trying to get to the purple but the Cats still have their claws into him. Surely the offer from Freo is pick 22 take it or leave it!

The Rory rumours resurfaced and took on the formation of the fire the smoke suggested! $700k+ a year for 2 years…. the suitors aren’t exactly jumping out of the trees to grab his signature.

Plenty to unpack and plenty still to unfold for Freo in the remaining trade days. So, if you haven’t overdosed on purple passion as yet and you’re needing a fix…. there’s some very cheap gear in this 40 minutes of Restump trade day review!

There’s nothing whatsoever shaggy about Swaggy! The Restump Podcast looks at Sean Darcy’s Doig Medal win and the host of the seemingly endless list of other award recipients. We also cast the eyes over day one of trade week where it seems ridiculousness was front and centre.

Massive victory for Sean “Swaggy” Darcy to win the Doig medal at the age of just 23. It was a much-deserved result and it put an exclamation point on the end of the most remarkable year for him personally.

Hayden Young chipped in with the Beacon award and Caleb Serong tied with the great David Mundy to win the clubman trophy. In the acceptance speeches, Hayden suggested he’s well settled in the West now and then it nearly brought tears to our eyes when Caleb said he and his partner definitely call WA home now. Lock them in on Buddy Franklin length deals!

The Cerra deal looks likely to proceed with minor details getting ironed out, the Geelong crew are off their collective heads asking for pick 8 for Jordan Clarke, the Rory chatter has quietened and the question some are asking is Will Brodie be a Docker or won’t he?

Last but not least, Jojo McDonnell reveals a potential young WA jet in the draft has been spoke to by eastern state clubs, but not by either of the WA clubs.

For those that can’t get enough purple vibes, there’s 40 minutes of Fremantle fanfare and Restump recitation right here.

World markets are wobbling, international tensions are rising and economic volatility is creating nervousness. So, what better time for the annual Fremantle Docker review and Buy-Sell-Hold Restump recommendation report podcast!

Before you decide to tune in, we must declare that many of our 2020 strong purple player buys are currently in worse shape than the Evergrande Group! So, this is not investment advice and please consult your financial advisor.

As we approach the upcoming trade period we take a look at the individual seasons of the players, award them a score based on various and often extremely loose criteria and then apply a buy sell hold recommendation.

In a season full of injuries which saw 39 individual players on the Freo list used, scores and recommendations can be somewhat difficult. That right there is the Restump’s safety net for when our current recommendations get reviewed!

Did Liam Henry do enough to retain his strong buy? Will Blake Acres avoid falling into the sell category? Did desertion hurt Adam Cerra’s season review score? If you have some Hayden Young stock you’re overweighted in gold.

Plenty of assessments to get through so tune in and feel free to give us your own views and recommendations and don’t be shy in pointing out where you think we may be throwing good money after bad, if we’re paying unders or why we’re selling whoever.

Word of warning, you may need to listen in shifts. Like the season did to Fremantle, time got away from us and we were forever playing catch up.

There is a school of thought that it takes a year to get noticed before you win the Brownlow. He got noticed! David Mundy a 37-year-old Brownlow medallist? Time to Restump Podcast the latest of everything Freo Dockers.

David Mundy gave no one else a chance at Freo picking up a record 20 votes, ten votes clear from the future Freo captain Andy Brayshw, who could legitimately feel a bit hard done by.

With Mundy’s record vote year it felt like the night was a success but then Caleb pocketed the Goal of the Year to put an exclamation point on the annual event.

The rich irony of Caleb winning the goal of the year playing for a club that kicked more points than goals on 15 occasions and being awarded the medal by a teammate who kicked 6 goals 21 for the season, wasn’t lost on us! Sorry Fyfey, we still love you!

Jojo McDonnell called it three weeks ago stating Jordan Clark had committed to Fremantle and it seems he was on the money. Its now up to Freo and the Cats to get the deal done and with seemingly little other interest in him, we might be looking back in years to come wondering how did we get him so cheaply.

Tim English’s partner has apparently just signed with the West Coast Fever. Is the West Australian Englishman eyeing an entry to either club? If so, his trade value does feel difficult to ascertain.

Pav enters the WA Hall Of Fame and Cez has left the building and the Chief has turned on Ed Langdon and is now wholly and solely behind the Bulldogs this weekend.

We’re looking towards trade week and the draft in the coming week’s pods but meanwhile there is always plenty of purple proceedings to prattle on about. So, if too much Docker dribble is never enough, click play and join us for half an hour.

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!

Well we thought we’d just predominantly play the waiting game until the draft. That didn’t last long with the constant flow of news coming out of Cockburn! Time to Restump Podcast the host of happenings.

Lachie “the Prodigal Son” Neale apparently wants to return to the purple. While no doubt we’d all love to see him back in the midfield, we’re all mindful we don’t stray from the path. The farm and or kitchen sink are not part of the equation.

While Brownlow Lachie wants in, another Lachie signed on. Loyal Lachie Schultz opted for Freo’s 2 year deal ahead of his home town Hawks 3 year offer. It’s kind of difficult to not be proud of him.

Jojo McDonnell tells us Jordan Clark is committed to Freo if a deal can be done and he says Tim is speaking West Aussie English!

Somehow despite the cuts to the soft cap we found room and created a roll for Bulldog Bob to fill. Not sure exactly what it entails or if it was even necessary but it seems a popular appointment, despite the Chief’s lackluster reaction.

Boatloads of purple news unfolding by the hour so, unlike the Restump podcasts, there isn’t a dull Docker moment. But click play and see if we make any sense of it all.

Considering it has been the case since 2015, we should be used to watching Freo free finals. However, there's always that ache in your heart. No Freo footy but there’s plenty of purple prattle.

While we might not be playing finals we haven’t missed out so far in awards season. Andy Brayshaw and, as Jojo refers to him, the late Adam Cerra were selected in the best AFL 22 under 22, with the former receiving vice captaincy honours. He also went on to claim the Geoff Christian medal.

On the back of his 2020 rising star win and superb 2021 season the coaches couldn’t split Caleb Serong and Noah Anderson for the best young player award.

We talk the delistings. Were they harsh, fair, and will another club throw them a lifeline? Will Freo throw any of them a relisting lifeline?

The Cez chatter is set to increase. He’s chosen the Blues and it may well set up a reintroduction with Ross ‘the Boss’ Lyon. Adam might want to stop in at the local florist before the possible rendezvous.

What’s the starting point in terms of trade worth? Can we put the faith in Belly to get it done at the negotiating table once again? Is Sam Petrevski Seton or Zac Fisher part of the conversation?

We don't want to light any fires but we'll lob it in there anyway.... it seems all has gone quiet on the Rory story. Is he not enough Gold for the Suns on the east coast?

Thoughts on having Rosco Lyon back in the AFL coaching ranks.

And lastly Jojo brings us home with a distasteful, in more ways than one, closing quandary.

Sure, we’re nowhere near as entertaining as a Ross Lyon press conference but there’s a purple void in the Freo football fan landscape at the moment and we’re doing our bit to fill it. So click play and you’ll get a stark reminder of the value of the sound of silence.

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!

Ironically, it’s the heart stopping wins that make you know you’re truly alive! It's the Restump Podcast review of the thrilling win over the Tiges.

Forget for the moment everything else, the season that has been, the disappointing losses, the injuries and the potential finals prospects, yesterday’s win in isolation was simply a moment of pure purple joy.

No Fyfe life, a Side lined Sonny and no possible Rory Story. Three of our most experienced players absent against the reigning dynastic Tigers was a fearful task going in, despite Richmond’s recent form. The burden rested on the shoulders of the youth.

Future captain Andy Brayshaw was beyond remarkable. Adam Cerra…. an outstanding performance that sadly must further incentivise opposing clubs to go on the hunt. An uncompromising but composed Caleb Serong and a Young man with devastating skills who goes by the name of Hayden. Each member of that quartet played their vital part in taking down the Tigers yesterday.

The waiting game is over. Its time to get Darcy, Serong, Brayshaw and Young to hold Cerra down, put a pen in his hand and squiggle it on the dotted line! We just can’t allow him to go, we just cant!

Back to yesterday, the defenders, obviously greatly assisted by the above mentioned mids, did a sterling job. Luke Ryan back to his All-Australian best and Griffin Logue…. this man is just 23 years of age! Tobe chipped in, Walker continues to show glimpses and while he had his precarious moments Nathan Wilson was his serviceable self.

It wasn’t the purest game with skills from both teams falling short of expectations and errant goal kicking was more contagious than covid! But you only have to kick more than your opponent and when the 100th game milestone man Matty Tabs snapped one of his three from the boundary, you had a feeling there were gods of some sort looking over us.

We need to sort out the forward line structure and greatly improve inside fifty efficiency if we’re going to be a force in the future. Plus a couple of high speed Hayden Young type ball using wingers should be front and centre on the Christmas wish list.

We’re in the eight, we’ve a host of injuries and, while all our three remaining opponents are not travelling sweetly, it’s still a pretty tough run home. Possession though is nine tenths of the law so its our ladder rung to lose.

We thought the season was over but the universe keeps delivering us opportunity so we continue to dance until the purple music ends. So if you haven’t yet overdosed on purple passion and you’re looking for a fix, this 60 minutes right here could be your Freo fentanyl. However, given the quality of the listening content, we’d suggest you embrace cheap imitations.

Somewhere along the line the Darcy diagnosis was lost in translation. It was all a misunderstanding and he’s good to go against the Tiges! It’s the Restump Podcast’s preview of Sunday's Freo V Richmond clash.

While the season is still mathematically alive, finals are all but gone. It feels like the pressure is off so its time to simply enjoy a game of Freo footy for what it is.

They’ve been named in the squad but do Joel Western and Nathan O’Driscoll make the final cut? Josh Treacy has been largely confirmed so that leaves two remaining positions and a medical sub. With the loss of Alex Pearce, we might need an Ethan Hughes or a Tobe Watson.

We chat contracts, the Cerra announcement getting pulled from channel 7, Reece Conca’s offensive trigger extension clause, Rory Lobb’s manager shopping him around and the sad seemingly end to Stephen Hill.

The ridiculous and competition compromising change in the academy rules has typically screwed us in our endeavours to potentially recruit Jesse Motlop!

However, on that topic, just days after they amended their drafting policy to read “public school kids need not apply,” it seems the Karma Train may have stopped in at West Coast station as they failed to register Hale School’s Neil Erasmus for their academy.

Jojo McDonnell loves Retro round and he wants the return of the rock and anchor to be wheeled out to the middle by guys in overalls and he’s calling for the inflatable shipping container tunnel for the players to enter the field. Meanwhile the Chief may be the only Freo supporter who isn’t in love with the green retro guernsey!

So if you’re looking for something to drown out the noise of the torrential rains, feel free to click play and turn up the volume. You’ll soon learn to appreciate the racket of water hitting your roof again! Finals are virtually off the table but there is always something fascinating for the Freo Folk to figure.

We’ve had numerous chances to secure a spot in the eight in recent weeks with results falling our way and while it is still mathematically possible, sadly it is seemingly sayonara September for the 6th successive season. The Restump Podcast reviews Sunday’s clash against the Swans.

Sadly, we couldn’t get it done for Dave Mundy as the Swans spoiled the great man’s milestone match. We can’t put all the blame on the Swannies though as we were our own worst enemy constantly butchering opportunities. A lack of cohesion and, at times efforts, didn’t help our cause either.

Should Fyfey have played? Hindsight says, probably not, but it seems the club rolled the dice on what looked like their final chance. The surgeon is now calling.

Sean “Swaggy O” Darcy battled on like a warrior but his knee is now restricting him. Do we rest up the big man and get him right for 2022 and say to Lloyd “Braun” Meek, the last remaining games are yours, make them your own?

Andy Brayshaw showed once again why he is a lock for the future captaincy role and while no one knows whether he’s staying or going, we got a reminder that its going to really hurt if Cerra chooses the latter.

Our forward line, admittedly a compromised one, functioned like a machine in desperate need of oil and we got little to no offensive and defensive input from our forward of centre smalls.

Our backs did all they could under difficult circumstances, especially Alex Pearce on a very angry and frustrated and now one week suspended Buddy. No one could contain the magnificent Isaac Heeney though.

The negatives were thick and plenty and they’ll play their part in the season’s end review and subsequent decisions that need to be made. However, there were a couple of very nice positives to dwell on, if only for the sake of us fan’s general wellbeing.

Sure, he may have played his part in presenting Isaac Heeney with mark of the year, but Hayden Young was a sight for clanger damaged eyes. He showed off glimpses of those super slick skills we’ve been severely deprived of. And the oxymoronic named Brandon Walker, not yet a top gun but looking like a young gun, showed a level of speed that Lt Maverick said he was in need of. Speed, skills, evasive tactics….. he’s far from ready but he’s growing in confidence and looks a future jet.

Some big decisions will need to be made soon, with Bailey Banfield, Brett Bewley, Adam Cerra, Reece Conca, Mitch Crowden, Taylin Duman, Stefan Giro, Stephen Hill, Lloyd Meek, Lachie Schultz, Leno Thomas, Darcy Tucker, Tobe Watson and Nathan Wilson all being out of contract at season’s end.

Sunday morning football never feels right but the 10.30am has absolute knobs on it!

All that as well as an episode of the Neighbourhood Watch which feels like the Chief put as much effort into as a Bailey Banfield chase!

So if too much Freo football talk is never enough and you click play on this pod to ease any potential void, get yourself checked out because you’re obviously not well. This 60 minutes should be listened to only as a booster shot. See your ear specialist if listening desires persist.

It’s the Restump Podcast’s preview of Mundy’s 350 milestone match, the clash against the Swans Sunday.

With a one year contract extension, David Mundy upset the immortal Matty Pavlich. “353 games David, we had a pact!” Pav apparently said.

It’s old Man Mundy’s 350th milestone. Try finding a more humble, unassuming well-deserved recipient. Supremely talented, durable and versatile. Its a rare individual who can genuinely earn a 19th season contract.

While we celebration the great man, we have the Swans clash to focus on. Our chances of seeing September are all but gone, so Sunday must be the final roll of the 2021 season dice.

Blakey Acres is off to the spelling paddock, possibly making way for Nathan O’Driscoll, named to make his debut. And it’s exciting seeing Hayden Young return.

One half, Rory Lobster, of the Crustacean Connection goes out while his shellfish partner Matty Craberner is a welcomed in.

Lloyd “Braun” Meek’s potential inclusion casts doubt over Sean “SwaggyO’ Darcy, otherwise known as the competition’s premier ruckman.

With the Swans potentially adding Reid, McDonald & McLean alongside Buddy Franklin, our backs are in for a tough day.

This game rests with the midfield clearances. If the Bloods get first use, their tall timber may hand us a lesson.

Pav upset the stooges up the road, the Chief’s Neighbourhood Watch segment returns and how disrespectful is being handed a 10.30am timeslot for Mundy’s milestone?

All that and plenty more listening for anyone who is at or from a public or private school or even for those who didn’t even go to school. Evidenced by the drafting of The Chief, the Restump hasn’t got the resources to provide quality listening! But we don’t indulge in discriminatory practices, we’re accepting of all ears regardless of backgrounds, stable homes and upbringings.

Can you selectively and momentarily agree with Chris Scott? Because Thursday’s game could have been a bit shorter for us all! It’s The Restump Podcast's critically constructive dust settled review of the horrid clash against the Cats.

Thursday night seems long ago but, despite desperately trying, the game is proving difficult to forget. We search for the game’s positives which seemingly start with and don’t stretch too far beyond Sean Darcy.

It wasn’t pretty but it was the reality check we probably were due for. Sure, we were on the end of a three week road trip and a five day turn around but we’re in more strife than we realise if that is the reasoning crutch we’re leaning on.

Poor ole David Mundy was off his best but surely the man turning 36 on Tuesday, who has carried us all year, is entitled to put in a rare quiet one. Only the attention seeking, negatively opportunistic and journalistically lazy would suggest culling his career. We wont point fingers or name names but the culprit’s initials are Brad Hardie.

Fyfey obviously went into the game less that 100% and wasn’t his usual impactful self, Sonny Walters was relentless in effort but just can’t get the rub of the green while Josh Treacy probably just played the hardest working 6 possession game ever seen.

While they weren’t helped too much by the mids, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan and the rest of the backline soldiers saw the Cats take a record 28 marks inside 50. The 26 marks inside fifty differential, the Cats 28 to our 2, would have to be some sort of all time record.

Geelong were bigger, older and far more experienced but we did ourselves no favours forwarding them more space than they required. Our corralling from 30 metres defensive method we adopt at times just doesn’t seem to be a winning strategy!

While we’re mathematically still alive, it would be a brave person or someone filthy on their money to put their hard earned on us to sneak in to finals.

Sydney Swans are the only genuine top 8 side we’ve beaten all year and four of our five remaining run home games are current top eight position occupiers. A one armed Fyfe and a single knee Darcy are probably still in our best twenty two. Let it never be said we aren’t eternal optimists, for where there is Fyfe there is life!

The grapevine trade chatter has Rory Lobb heading to clubs in Victoria and Queensland, Lachie ‘Shooter’ Schultz to the Hawks while the whispers about Luke Jackson and Fremantle are no doubt of the Chinese variety. It s hard to think a crowbar, pliers and a blow torch could pry LJ from the Demon clutches.

It’s the start of the working week so if you’re looking for a cure for Mondayitis, for God’s sake don’t listen to this purple podcast. But then again you cant catch Mondayitis twice on the same day so…. this 50 plus minutes might not help…. but it probably can’t hurt.

Before we start…. Thanks North Melbourne!

In this Restump Podcast episode we review Freo’s dismantling of the Hawks as we watched on with a bowl of cornflakes in another AM starting game for us fans!

It wasn’t the prettiest of contests but even the ugly games need some love and what wasn’t to love about our duck breaking victory against the Hawks in the Apple Isle? God’s country indeed!

Fyfe turned it on in his 200th and Caleb Serong showed he is a contested ball winning machine, years ahead of his time. However, they were both upstaged by the giant killing ruckman, Sean “Swaggy O” Darcy. We checked Champion Data and its official…. Darcy is now a juggernaut.

We have to be honest and realise the Hawks are a shell of their former selves, but you can only destroy who you’re up against. Darcy, Mundy, Fyfe, Serong, Brayshaw and Cerra destroyed who they were up against.

Rory Lobb exploited his height and weight advantage over Kyle Hartigan and kicked a career equalling high 4 goals, while the forgotten man Bailey “Cerra To Some” Banfield kicked 3 of his own in his return. Sammy Switkowski showed how valuable he’s going to be with his 14 touches and 2 goals and he’s also doing his team oriented best work supporting Sonny Walters by dishing a further goal off to him.

The man with an array of cyclonic or meteorologist nicknames, Josh Treacy, or Sean Treacy according to Gerard Healy, was close to having a day out. He booted 2 but if it weren’t for a coat of paint, he would have landed 3 and possibly 4. And that's not mentioning his 6 bone crushing tackles.

While we haven’t emphatically forced our way into the top eight, the universe has delivered a host of ridiculously amazing results presenting us with the most unlikely of opportunities. It’s now up to us to take it.

So, with our fate once again in our own hands, we now look towards the Thursday night big stage because the rest of our season starts then.

Until Thursday's game if you’re looking for something too drown out the noise of the rain, click play and listen to this 50 plus minutes of purple storm..... after you’ve listened to the “Join in the chorus” North Melbourne theme song a boat load of times!

199 bone jarring bruising combative games - the life of Fyfe!

We’ve also got a vital game to win so we celebrate Fyfey’s 200th and preview Saturday’s Hawks clash in North Antarctica on this episode of the Restump podcast.

There is little you can add to the Fyfe conversation that hasn’t already been delivered numerous times this week and there are no unused superlatives. Quite simply, all us Freo fans are eternally grateful he wears the purple and we’re all in on him, the full package, wayward kicking boots and all.

While the Fyfe show rolls on, we have to take care of the Hawks to keep our nanoscopic finals chances alive. Certainly a tough ask when you’re previously zip and 10 against your opponent in Tasmania.

Luke Bruest is hoping the Conca Truck won’t be a late in off the emergency list but someone who is in is Bailey Banfield, returning after almost 12 months out of the side. Out of contract at years end, he’ll need to make every post a winner.

Last week against the Blues was gut wrenching. We destroyed a top 8 opportunity and now the door is only just slightly ajar. Currently in 10th we’re now half a game and 5% behind the Giants in 8th, a game and 3% behind 7th placed West Coast and 8% short of Richmond in 9th. All that adds up to a must win this weekend.

We beat the Hawks in an elimination final in 2010 but then they broke our hearts in the 2013 grand final before backing up two years later to knock us out in the 2015 preliminary final. That was the last time we tasted finals so it’s fair to say we owe them.

Heading down to the seemingly often wet, always windy apple isle to play a game that starts Saturday morning in the West obviously isn’t high on the fans’ wish list, or at least Jojo’s wish list, based on his lack of enthusiasm and lethargic performance in this episode of the podcast!

Anyway there’s 40 minutes of listening to Freo fanfare for those that wish to attempt it. Listening to the Restump is a bit like taking on the gigantic Parmi in the Pub challenge, everyone tries it, very view get through it but no one goes around a second time!

Talk about suffering the Blues in more ways than one! In the depths of despair we’ll attempt to therapeutically heal our souls by dissecting the devastating loss to Carlton in the Restump preview podcast.

Some losses hurt and some demoralize. Considering what was at stake and given the opportunity that had been presented to us over the previous seven days, this result was of the latter.

Missed tackles and inaccuracy combined to pull the top eight placed prized rug from under our unproductive horrendously inaccurate kicking boots. In fact, that’s being a little too generous. The rug wasn’t pulled from under us, we tripped on it and fell arse backwards into bottom eight purgatory!

We proved up the philosophy that time and tide wait for no man as we once again set about the contest 10 minutes into the first quarter. How we continue to roll out these lethargic starts is as difficult a question for coach JL to answer as it is us. They have plagued us in a similar manner to the inaccurate goal kicking all year.

Without a doubt Fyfe was underdone and, to their credit, Carlton players deliberately went after him. While still highly productive, understandably, he wasn’t as Fyfe-like as he usually is. Was the risk playing him worth it? We have mixed emotions.

Andy Brayshaw showed again why he is the future leader of this club. Hail rain or shine he shows up and produces. With a hamstrung Fyfe, David Mundy stepped up and delivered a Fyfe type third quarter to deliver us what should have been a victory.

Is Luke Ryan our most important player? Jojo thinks so. But the Chief wants to see a return of his entertaining and efficient mark guarding antics.

The Fyfe’s Mundy’s Brayshaws, Ryans and Pearce types unconditionally find a way and epitomize the anytime anywhere mentality but it’s the second-tier players sporadic positive performances that potentially distort the reality. The inability to be consistently productive must raise questions at seasons’ end.

How do you smash a team in the inside 50s, the hit outs, the clearances, win the contested possession, generate more scoring shots and lose the game? How do you possibly have 13 inside 50s in the final quarter and kick the solitary point?

Is our season now over? While we remain mathematically a chance, us fans will never let the candle of hope’s flame die out.

Aside from the game, Jojo McDonnell breaks some interesting comments regarding a former Fremantle favourite. If he is to be believed, and keep in mind Jojo doesn’t deal in hyperbole, indulge in guess work or harness hypotheticals, the great Chris Mayne is set to rejoin the Dockers on a one year playing contract before retiring and entering the coaching ranks. While the Chief doesn’t know anything he is prepared to say that if jojo said it, we can ‘take it to the bank.’

So if you’re just soul searching, trying to work through the grief of Saturday night, join us as part of a Freo fan 60 minute group therapy session. But be warned, we’re far from trained professionals, we’re not science backed and we could well be the equivalent of an adverse reaction to the therapeutic vaccine. Do your own research, its obvious the risks aren’t worth the listening, but we’re all Freo folk, we live on the edge.

It appears we’re at the MCG Saturday evening but, to be honest, we wouldn’t bet on it even with stolen money! It's time for The Restump preview podcast of the Saturday's vital clash against the Blues.

The contest this weekend just became a little bit more important with Gold Coast doing us a favour taking down the Tigers as that top eight door just edged open a fraction wider for us. We can’t all fit through yet but maybe Taylin Duman, if he turns side on, might sneak through and ensure it doesn't close.

So with results falling our way, it’s now up to our purple people on the MCG paddock to take advantage of it.

Round 3 earlier this year the Blues picked off a couple of youngsters and the Freo faithful hasn’t forgotten. Let’s hope the team hasn’t either and its put to positive motivational use. With Captain Fyfe back in the team Cripps will have to pick on someone his own size on Saturday.

Zac Williams out on suspension is a big plus for us and Carlton’s general down back, Sam Docherty, is apparently injured…. although grapevine chatter suggests he may have said, “To hell with that, I’m not standing in front of the Cyclone.”

The supremely talented and influential youngster Sam Walsh should have a date with fellow youngster Caleb Serong and his quality negating skills and someone needs to keep an eye on Ed Curnow who routinely is seen with the ball in hand, against us.

You may have kicked 7 goals last time around Harry McKay but have you met Mr Pearce? Griff and DJ Luke will control the remaining big guys while Sonny Walters will regain his magic and put Adam Saad in the shade.

And after two super performances, Ferris Bewley has set tongues wagging...... hopefully he doesn’t get any wagging ideas. Ferris Bewley’s day off is Sunday!

It was Tassie, then Geelong and we’ve ended up at the MCG. All the ducks are lining up and there’s an anticipatory buzz in the air. The Blues are ripe for the pickings and we just cannot afford to let this game slip.

What better way to knock off 45 minutes on your lock down Friday by listening to a good purple podcast! If you can’t find a good one, click play and listen to this one instead.

We might have been Fyfless but we were far from lifeless and we’ve now made it 4 wins from 5 games against the Magpies at Marvel Stadium. Plenty to cover in the Restump Podcast review of Saturday’s thrilling win.

Did we just get a beneficial case of 3 birds 1 stone? Losses to the Swans, Eagles and Magpies have left the September door ajar for us to sneak a purple foot in. We’re still longshots to snare a finals berth but we’re closer than we were last week.

In this episode we talk the impressive performance, the team-oriented flavour to the victory as individuals fulfilled their team beneficial roles. There was a little bit more of a focused defensive mindset than in recent weeks but coach JL nailed the offensive / defensive ratio balance.

Speaking of a combined defensive offensive mindset, Josh Treacy put the fear of God into the Pies backline. His work off the ball, including a massive 20 pressure acts, was an influential a game as anyone out there turned in. Still can’t believe we got this guy on the rookie list!

Trav Colyer played one his best games in purple, Jimmy Aish continued his super form and Blake Acres found throwing his ample size around makes life easier for him and his teammates.

Take a sample of Switkowski’s work and then picture another 25 games and a preseason or two added to it….. his was a good signing during the week.

Lachie Schultz got well amongst it, Tabs tapped out allowing Crowden into the game with some medical candy to sell and Lobb got reward for effort returning to his marking best.

Mundy was Mundy-like and, in the absence of Fyfey, its safe to say the future captaincy is in highly competent, influential and extremely hard working Andy Brayshaw hands.

Jojo McDonnell misfired with his $26 bagpipes gag and the Chief brings us home with another longwinded but important relations building Neighbourhood Watch segment.

All that and plenty more purple pollutive nonsense no one asked to hear. As masks at the moment are apparently mandatory in certain situations, we advise wearing one over each ear to keep you safe from potential listening.

We’re sailing into Victoria to pillage and plunder 4 points from the Pies, just like taking talented players from people like the Ned Guys. It’s The Restump’s preview podcast of Saturday’s clash against the Maggies.

We talk contract squiggles. The Dockers are the envy of petition pushers around the globe as no one has attracted more signatures than us this week! Everyone wants in at Freo, Treacy, Switkowski, Darcy all scribbled on the dotted line and Mundy has been given the green light to add his name. There’s a frenzied fear of missing out at Fremantle and we just hope Adam Cerra will fall to infection.

The big poetic ins for Saturday - *"Griff and Tabs back at either ends will once again pay dividends while the forward line sees off Crowden the hard hitter and welcomes back Switta the committer. Fyfey will start straight back in the guts and Nathan Wilson returns after belting Weightman in the nuts!

After losing a president, a coach, Phillips, Stephenson and Treloar, for Saturday's clash the Pies have now lost DeGoey and Darcy Moore. But they regain Brody Grundy, Taylor Adams and Mason the Yank.... but if we're sticking with the pirate theme the latter should have been made walk the plank. "*

A bit like the man they call Swaggy O, we’re all looking forward to the Sean Darcy V Brody Grundy battle. It’ll be a scalp or a learning experience for the now further contracted Darcy.

Surprisingly we’re 3 wins and 1 loss against Collingwood at the stadium with the roof. Saturday we’re at that same stadium with the roof but without a roof as it will remain open….. because you know.... covid! Couldn’t the roof be Marvel Stadium’s mask?

Jojo rightly cops critical feedback for literally creating a crab logo for The Restump’s twitter page and the Chief is arking up his “Get Ryan Crowley On The Pod” campaign. He's really just prolonging the inevitable failure.

Understandably many people don’t like Goodbyes…. but we simply just hate byes! After a Freo footy free weekend we can’t wait to get back into it this Saturday and…… catch the 11.45am morning clash…. while we’re eating our cornflakes!

You have to get through Friday first though and we’re here to make it as smooth a journey as possible. Avoiding this 60 minutes of Docker dribble can only help your cause. If you don’t heed our warning and you risk listening, we’d suggest double masking your ears. God knows what you’ll catch!

If, as ridiculous as it sounds and as hard as it is to believe, we were to be in possession of a fully fit and available list, who are our current best twenty two Fremantle Dockers and who are our future twenty two best that will next take us deep into the finals? It’s The Restump’s twist on the mid-season review.

Injuries can be both helpful and a hindrance. Sure, you lose quality and members of your perceived best twenty-two but you can also inadvertently discover assets sooner than you may otherwise have done.

While it is arguably the silver lining, injuries, to some degree, can be of benefit and assist a club’s long-term plans and decision making, enabling more in depth knowledgeable list management.

So with a season riddled with substantial and sustained injury to talent across the board providing opportunity for those who need it, we’re largely armed with some level of exposed form to make educated, a term we use very loosely, assessments of each player on our list.

Will Fyfey be around to lead the charge as part of the best 22? Can David Mundy do a Dustin Fletcher or a Michael Tuck? Will Michael Walters be in the middle, up forward or in the coaching ranks for our next tilt at a premiership? Are the A-Bros, James and Blake in our current best 22 and, if so, will they hold those positions in the future? Is there upside in the Darcy Tucker box? Nathan Wilson or Wontson and what about Tobe Watson? Do we Lobb Rory another contract and is Taylin Duman to take us forward? We need to close the window on the cliché’d play on word ridiculousness but you get the point.

We’re throwing our opinionated hats in the current and future talent rating ring to try and paint a picture of our list going forward. We agree on many, disagree on some and down right argue the stupidity of our opinions on others.

So if there isn’t a sound on the planet you haven’t heard numerous times and you’re after something to block out the silence, then, providing clicking a pen repetitively doesn’t provide the peaceful cancelling noise you're after, feel free to hit play and listen to this 60 minutes of purple preposterousness.

Every time you looked at Jimmy Aish he had a football in his hands. He amassed a career high 31 disposals and it was as if he brought a boat load of his own footballs. On this episode of the Restump Podcast we talk everything Freo victory in this review of the Fremantle V Gold Coast clash from Saturday evening.

We don’t want to be too negative but if you didn’t scratch both of your eyes out to save yourself watching that first half, you have supreme will power. However, it was the transition to some quality ball use on the run home that brought us all to life….. and allowed a few of us to watch but sadly most of us to only listen!

It was a beautiful gesture by the Gold Coast Suns to show some compassion for our injury sidelined absentees. In the spirit of great sportsmanship, they kicked a Nat Fyfe-like 1 goal 8 points first half.

Jimmy Aish has to receive best on ground honours, a tailor has taken Sean Darcy’s jacket measurements for a particular end of season prestigious event and we’re all feeling like the cat that got the cream knowing we collected Josh Treacy from the rookie draft.

There was collective sigh of relief post-match knowing Alex Pearce got through the game unscathed and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he was interviewed later….. well of the eyes that weren’t scratched out early on at least.

Taylin Duman played arguably his career best game, the Conca Truck didn’t go to Sexton as we thought but he did a number on the dangerous Izak Rankine and Brett Bewley put in a more than serviceable performance after a long time out of the side.

Jojo questions Tim Gossage and his troll patrol baiting Fremantle supporters and the Chief doesn’t like the Footy Rhino swindling the term “Dockery” from our fellow podcasting colleagues, Duck and Oz of the Purple Reign fame, and claiming it as his own.

The Shai Bolton chatter is growing, the Chief rolls out another episode of the Neighbourhood Watch and Jojo has a topical Closing Quandary.

It wasn’t overly pretty but there is nothing like a victory and 4 points to dull that first half ugliness.

We’re all up and about with a pep in our step and a glide in our stride as we strut into the midseason bye for a well-earned rest. And that’s where we come in, click play on this overly celebrated 50 plus minute purple prized party and be assured you’ll get plenty of rest…. we’ll put you straight to sleep!

We’re the Western Wounded Walkers but nothing renews enthusiasm like a couple of draftee debuts. It’s the Restump preview podcast of Saturday’s Gold Coast clash.

The only people missing from the interchange scene last Sunday was Hawkeye Pierce and BJ Hunnicut. It wasn’t pretty as makeshift medical station real estate was at a premium.

A host of changes for this Saturday sees the great Alex Pearce gets another run at it and all Fremantle fan’s fingers are crossed. The Conca Truck finally returns after a confusing stint in the WAFL, the forgotten man Bewley has since been remembered with a call up and the double double-U debutants Western and Walker get their first taste.

We’ve won 7 of 11 games against the Sunny Gold Coast crew and 3 of 4 contests in WA but this will be one of the tougher challenges. However, they may be the Gold Coast Suns but we’ve got our own Son, of the Walters variety.

The Cerra chatter is getting a bit overdone, Luke Ryan somehow thinks we can still make the finals, we look at the rebuild ladder and the prospect of Ross Lyon coaching the Pies would really help us out at the Restump.

The Chief has sounded the alarm and put Alex Sexton on the must watch list while Jojo McDonnell is giving away a couple of tickers to Sunday’s game in the most ridiculous of manners.

We might be a bit under the pump but where there is football life there is football hope. Its time to reignite the enthusiasm, trust the process and enjoy whatever the now brings.

There’s forty plus minutes of Docker declamation right here. Sure, you’re little to no chance of being smarter for listening but can you afford to take that risk? Click play anyway and get ready for the Gold Coast roast.

We might be demoralised and distraught but… the weather forecast is in our favour. It’s the Restump’s review podcast of yesterday’s highs and lows in the clash and carnage against the Bulldogs.

From our perspective, we’re talking the positives. While we have a fair way to go, we were running the Bulldogs to the wire. Obviously the horror soul destroying 90 seconds of injury carnage stopped us in our tracks and….. striking blokes in the Cody ‘Weightmans’ doesn’t help the cause!

Yes sure, we might have been a bit fortunate as the Dogs kicked at goals like they were challenging us for the inaccuracy record, but we made the most of it. We brought the effort and that held us in pretty good stead.

The great Sean Darcy is taking the ruck by storm, Liam Henry's lightning flashes are increasing and, topping off the weather report, we saw the arrival of the Cyclone!

And what was that foreign straight as a dye drop punt kicking style Josh Treacy was displaying? We got a taste of what the Cyclone will be delivering over the next decade in purple and there isn’t a Freo fan alive that isn’t going back numerous times and getting a plate load from that buffet.

You just had to be in awe of Fyfe’s 3rd quarter, we need a bunch of players to take a leaf out of Caleb Serong’s angry niggle and competitive spirit book and Andy Brayshaw may never kick a better goal.

There are plenty of negatives but the negatives, while important, have been done to death and we all know what they are. Some are a continual work-in-progress and others can only be rectified by modern medicine and surgical procedures.

Our season may well be deep in the mulligatawny but we’re focusing on the positives and realising that through adversity comes opportunity. The young Freo brigade get the opportunity to taste league action and we all get the opportunity to see how they go. There is nothing like the debut of draftees to reignite supporter enthusiasm.

Speaking of medicinal practises, bang this hour of purple palaver in your ears and you’ll never need a sleeping pill again! We probably should caution about listening while driving.

The struggle to get this episode of the Restump Podcast completed has been extraordinarily real. Numerous ‘technical’ issues, a race against mobile battery time and a long afternoon lunch that ended at about 11pm all conspired against us. (the culprit's initials are Jojo McDonnell) However, we pushed through and now the preview of Sunday’s clash against the red-hot Western Bulldogs is, albeit a day late, finally out.

Before Sunday’s contest though we have the Dream Time game Saturday evening and what a magnificent spectacle it promises to be. Massively supported by us West Aussies, with tickets disappearing quicker than Michael Braun in late 2008.

On Sunday the super slick Sonny Walters, Liam Henry and Nathan Wilson lead the indigenous charge against the Bulldogs and they’ll represent their culture, their people and the Fremantle football club exceptionally well and they’ll leave Freo fans proud.

It will have to be all hands-on deck for four quarters by the entire team if we’re to be any hope of pinching what seems an unlikely win. Combatting the Bullies’ classy and highly productive midfield is an unenviable assignment.

If their mids aren’t scary enough, then probably don’t let your eyes wander down to their forward line because you’ll see current Coleman medal 3rd placed holder Josh Bruce and 7th placed, incredibly mobile and accomplished aerialist Aaron Naughton occupying plenty of forward 50 real estate.

While we lose Switkowski and Tobe, our bookends are back! Griff and Tabs return to add some much-needed size and stature at either ends of the ground. Throw in full 4 quarters of Lobb effort and a Cyclone you don’t want to stand in front of and suddenly there seems some hope!

Freo fans obviously harbour hopes for a victory, but we simply need to see an enhanced effort based, predominantly defensive focused approach from all 22 players and potentially the medical sub. It’s also imperative we’re ready to go as soon as the initial siren sounds and not 20 minutes later. This nodding off ‘slow out of the blocks’ strategy has got knobs on it!

Jojo McDonnell returns from his North West holiday in a day or two so we can expect better performances from the Restump team in podcasts to come. Leaving the Chief with responsibility has proven a failed experiment.

However, don’t let that stop you getting this purple nonsense in your ears on your way to the game Sunday while you’re sitting on the bus or the train. Having said that said, I wouldn’t undersell the noise of public transport as a comparable and possible preferred option!

We needed to be shaken and stirred yesterday, to be woken from the slumber we were in at bounce down. While we always manage to salvage some small positive, it’s a sombre, somewhat angry and finger pointing Restump preview podcast.

Double Oh Seven first quarter! It was our worst quarter, in terms of number of points with no goals, in our entire history. Our previous worst single first quarter, oddly enough, the same game in 2006 round 3 when Port kicked 0 goals 5 points and we kicked 0 goals 6.

How does your opponent get 130 disposals to your 61 in a quarter of footy and still win the tackle count 23 to 10 while doing so?

The experienced players were where the disappointment began and while it may be an overreactive and emotively charged call, the Chief has Acres heading to an alternative pasture next year and has a plate of Lobster on the table, the trade table.

Goal kicking was a disaster yet again but that isn’t the major story. The 'pressures-less' first quarter is an all too familiar movie and the momentary comeback wallpapered over the cracks.

Brennan Cox had several nightmarish moments and was caught stargazing on one occasion! C’mon Coxy….. you’re near on 2 metres tall weighing 100 kegs… you can’t be trying to out-nimble Orazio!

However, you can bang on all you like about Fyfey’s wayward kicking but God knows what yesterday would have looked like without him. Take his lopsided scores out of the picture and he’s going as good as, if not better than anyone in the league. He just needs a few helpers to follow his lead. “Animalistic” was the highly appropriate term Jojo attributed to his contested work.

The big man Sean Darcy worked into the game after being bamboozled by Dixon starting in the ruck, Cerra was Cerra-like and its always nice to have Andy Brayshaw back.

Jojo McDonnell, with first hand knowledge, paints an insightful picture regarding Liam Henry, which should genuinely have Fremantle fans pleased with where he is at and super excited about where he is going.

It was a tough game to watch and a demoralising result to accept, but we're not strangers to adversity. Fremantle fans eat despair for breakfast! We’ll once again pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and look to next week where we will suit up to take on…… oh for Christ’s sake the Dogs? Really!

From the depths we rise once again as we Never Say Never. So lend us your ears as we try to make sense of the momentary mess and join us as we finish off giving yesterday the Goldfinger. At the very least we'll make your journey to work seem shorter.

A Port Adelaide product and all-time favourite Fremantle Docker superstar, Clive Waterhouse now has an official contest named in his honour.

(It is official providing there is no follow up independent research or fact checking of that claim)

On this episode of The Restump Podcast we preview this Sunday’s Fremantle and Port Adelaide clash at the Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide aren’t in as hot a form as 5th spot on the ladder suggests. However, we’re zero and 5 at the Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide so it is safe to say it’s a venue where they forever tear us apart….. given we’re not in excess of four points….! Yeah, ok let’s move on.

Andy Brayshaw returns and, especially as Matty Tabs is out, it will mean Sonny Walters has to head back up forward.

The Rory Lobb, Josh Treacy led forward line will be a different dynamic and an interesting watch to see how it pans out.

Ollie Wines is in red hot career best form and Fremantle is the only side he averages above 100 rating points against. We’re going to need a Caleb Serong special.

On top of that, Orazio Fantasia returns for Port, partnering up with Robbie Gray to terrorise us and we’re leaving the Conca Truck in Perth.

We touch on Fremantle’s rich indigenous embracing culture, the covid impact on Port Adelaide and we look back 20 years ago to that, shall we say, iconic moment when we unveiled the big screen at Subiaco oval.

We’re a day late with the preview but, look on the bright side, it gives you less time to think about listening to it. 40 minutes of Clive Waterhouse Cup claptrap right here so click play and start wearing purple.

How good to be back at the footy in the flesh on Saturday night; the Dockers got a win, we stayed relatively dry....great night!

After three weeks on the road and some performances that have left the Freo faithful feeling a little flat there was an energy at Optus on Saturday night. Rory Lobb was on fire up forward and the midfield brigade of Fyfe, Mundy, Cerra and Walters led the way as Freo scraped in for a relatively hard fought 2 point win over the Swans.

Walters has been spending most of his time up forward this year but was extremely influential when given a start in the centre square, Jojo and the Chief debate where his future should lie and whether his performance on the weekend will mean less time for the younger mids as the season wears on.

We go around the grounds and The Chief is back with his very popular Neighbourhood Watch segment. We're back on the winners list again, lets keep it rolling and knock off Port.

Start Wearing Purple!

The anxiety and stress levels rapidly subsided upon seeing the name Luke Ryan as an in. But the sense of calm soon disappeared when we read on to see Andrew Brayshaw in the out column. Give us a spell universe!

On this episode of The Restump podcast we preview our clash against the Swannies this Saturday night. We might be at similar developmental stages but its never an easy assignment against the ever-competitive Sydney side.

As we play the Bulldogs and Port Adelaide in weeks to follow, this game is pivotal and probably a season defining contest.

Alongside Luke Ryan we get to see the inclusion of the big Cyclone again. Josh Treacy has been recalled and we’re looking for him to iron out the forward line kinks and our inaccurate kicking….. and possibly a Swan or two while he has the iron out!

Jojo McDonnell is calling for a reset and momentary return to the role focused style that saw Fremantle more combative and defensive last year. That actually makes a fair bit of sense, yet we can’t say the same about the Chief, an obvious victim for punishment, who has yet again thrown some coin on Michael Walters’ possession count.

Its just great to have Fremantle footy back in the state. It’s going to be a wet Saturday evening but that won’t deter us. I don’t know about you but we are up and about and ready to Start Wearing Purple…. raincoats.

On Today's Pod we recap the weekends game against the Bombers.

Wasn't a great outcome for the Purple brigade on Sunday as the Bombers ended up surging late to get over the top of us in a close game. There were some shining lights but most walked away disappointed as it feels like we let a victory slip from our grasp.

We try and make sense of it all as well as discuss some selection surprises, celebrate the coming out party of Sean Darcy and ponder how we will be able to change our fortunes in front of the big sticks.

Lets Start Wearing Purple

Some wish for world peace, an end to world hunger or a cure for cancer. All noble gestures but we don’t want to burden the Gods, four points and a signature will do us! It’s the Restmp Podcast preview of this Sunday’s game against the Bombers.

We haven’t beaten the Bombers in Victoria for over a decade. 2010 round 2 we were last triumphant so to see how it was done we’ve gone to our wise elders, David Mundy and Stephen Hill, who were prominent in that contest.

The Chief is confident in our chances and he’s backing the soon to be great again Michael “Sonny” Walters to return to form at the $4.50 to get 20 plus disposals. You've been warned if he asks to borrow some money.

Sadly we lost Freddy last week but a current signatureless Adam Cerra and Sam Switkowski look likely to be recalled. At least one further out will be required but that’ll all get confirmed a tick or two before the first bounce!

Jojo McDonnell weighs in on the Eagles' WAFL demands, we respectfully cover the Willie Rioli saga, the West Coast Eagles get caught out in another 'loose with the truth' episode and the Neighbourhood Watch makes a rare appearance.

If you have 45 minutes spare to listen to this purple oriented nonsense then it is blatantly obvious you have too much time on your hands. But click play anyway and start wearing purple.

On Todays Pod we discuss the loss to the Lions from Sunday.

It was always going to be a tough assignment facing a Brisbane team away from home that is really starting to hit its straps in the past month. The boys went through patches where they matched it with the Lions but it was from too few and not for long enough. The 24 point margin probably flattered us a little in the end but nonetheless the boys fought out the contest well and didn't get blown out which is a positive coming into next weeks game against Essendon.

We also discuss Shai Bolton and a potential trade; communication problems internally and externally down at Freo and a few other bits and pieces from around the league.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we look forward to the weekends match against Brisbane.

We put the derby behind us and hope that we get a positive response from the boys this week, we're back on the Gold Coast in a 'mini hub' so lets hope the bonding and camaraderie that we got last year from our stay over east is prevalent again.

Its going to be a tough assignment against a Lions team which has really hit its straps of late. Lets all hope for the best and...

Start Wearing Purple!

On Today’s Pod we discuss the debacle that was Sunday’s Derby.

The Freo faithful came crashing back to earth with an almighty thud on Sunday afternoon as we put in one of our worst performances for the season; in the end getting done over by 59 points.

There weren’t many positives to be found and all of a sudden the three game winning g streak feels like a distant memory but we’re in for the long haul so...

Let’s Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we preview this weeks Western Derby.

We've lost the last 10 but we come in on a 3 game winning tear primed to take down the Dirty Birds from down the road. Our midfield is firing, our defence is getting back to its best and the forward line is staring to gel, its our time!

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today’s Pod we talk about Saturday Nights victory over the Kangaroos.

Three in a row, the streak is getting serious!

Although North aren’t the most formidable adversary the circumstances of the week in Perth and the empty stadium could have thrown the boys in Purple off; alas they held firm and disposed of the Kangas in a pretty straight forward manner.

The challenges only get greater from here with opponents West Coast; Brisbane and Port Adelaide all appearing in our next 5 games. The season begins now!

Let’s Start Wearing Purple

On this weeks Pod we preview Saturday Night's 'Len Hall' game against North Melbourne.

We are lucky enough to be joined by Maddie (@maddiemelb on Twitter) to give us a bit of insight on life as a Kangaroos supporter and her expectations for this weekends game and the season as a whole.

Freo have the chance to build on the winning streak this week so lets make sure we all get there early to honour the memory of the ANZACs and also make sure we...

Start Wearing Purple

On Today’s Pod we celebrate the magnificent away win over the Adelaide Crows.

It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for us but the boys navigated the hit and run mission in the city of churches with precision; 4 points in the bag and back to safe ground for 3 weeks of home games.

Without getting too carried away there was a lot to be excited about for the Freo faithful; our backline returned to its intercepting and rebounding best, the mids fought through some early struggles to get on top and our much discussed forward line started to show signs of life.

There’s never been a better time to.....

Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we preview the match against the Adelaide Crows this weekend.

Coming off arguably our best performance of the season against the Hawks last Sunday hopes and dreams of the Freo faithful are on the rise. The early season injury epidemic is now behind us, reinforcements are returning to the fold as each week ticks by, can this be the week where we string 2 good performances together?

Amongst other things we discuss Adam Cerra resigning, Scomo's visit to Perth and the Mid Season draft.

Get behind the boys as we look for our first win away from home for the season and

Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we review the win over the Hawks on Sunday.

The boys bounced back in tremendous fashion following the dissapointing showing againt the Blues. We didn't kick straight but at least we kicked something!

After mixed messaging last week from JL and the gang re: selecttion the Freo faithful were pleased to see a debut from rookie big man Josh 'Cyclone' Treacy and a comeback game for last years Rising Star nominee Sam Sturt.

We matched them physically and go the 4 points, lets do it on the road while we...

Start Wearing Purple

On Today's Pod we preview Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Its been a long week of dissecting, blaming and soul searching down Fremantle way. This Sunday can't come quick enough as we chase redemption from last weeks disappointing outing. We'll discuss potential changes and preview the clash attempting to keep the glass as half full as possible.

Roll on Sunday and......

Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we talk all things Freo v Carlton from Sunday.

It didn't quite play out the way we all hoped on Sunday, chock full of confidence following a dominant win over GWS the week prior the $3.30 on offer for a Fremantle triumph this week quickly turned into gross unders. We got smashed in the midfield from the start and were never able to play the game anywhere close to our terms making for a very difficult watch.

We've got Hawthorn at home next Sunday and it can't come quick enough, we'll mourn then move on and....

Start Wearing Purple

On Todays Pod we'll preview tomorrows match against the Blues.

After last years final minute debacle we owe them one and tomorrow is the day Carlton will get their comeuppance....... we hope!

Despite the fan led buildup Josh Treacy will not make his debut for Freo this week as coach Longmuir has decided to stick with the winning combo of Meek and Darcy. We were well served by the big men last week, hopefully they can churn out a similar performance tomorrow afternoon.

We had representation at Peel Thunder yesterday and Michael Walters is back so....

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we belatedly review the great win over the Giants.

After what was a disappointing round 1 result against Melbourne the boys bounced back in fine fashion against the Giants of Greater Western Sydney. The point of strength that our opposition possessed through the midfield was nullified and then dominated as Ol' Man Mundy and the young brigade took control of the contest from early on and never relented.

11 Goals and 21 Behinds was the only blemish; if only the boys could have capitalised a little better on their chances we could have completely blown the Giants out of the water.

From a position of almost not being able to select a team one week JL and the coaches have some decisions to make this week with injured and suspended players primed to return to action, we'll discuss all this and not much more so....

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we'll preview tomorrow's match with GWS.

Round 1 was a tough watch but we get a second chance against the Giants at Optus tomorrow afternoon.

To say Freo is enduring an injury curse would have to be one of the greater understatements of all time as we barely have enough players to field a team. but the boys we have wearing purple will surely turn in a better showing than last week.

Tabs resigned for 3 more years, word is out on Cerra and we didn't mention in the Pod but James Aish plays game 100 so there is some positive vibes creeping in!

I think we're all looking forward to our first home game of the year and getting amognst the Purple Army again willing on the boys. Enjoy the day tomorrow and......

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we discuss Saturday Mornings game against the Melbourne Demons.

The Freo faithful were cautiously optimistic going into Round 1, coming off what was an encouraging season in 2020 I think we all were of the belief that this season could be one where we would see a bit of further growth.

It wasn't to be on this occassion, the fears we had regarding scoring and forward line personnel came to bear and we were left with an uncomfortbale feeling of emptiness when the final siren blew.

We'll discuss the game, injuries, potential replacements and probably some other rubbish along the way.

Lets Start Wearing Purple

On Today’s Pod we name our Best 22 / 23 for Round 1 depending on what rules the AFL manufacture on the run 2 days before the season starts.

We discuss the Freo forward line, the Chief is given some over or unders and then we have to endure another dose of Neighbourhood Watch.

Only 4 sleeps to go so......

Let’s Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Restump we'll discuss yesterdays pre season encounter with West Coast.

It wasn't pretty for Freo, we not only lost on the score board but more tragically lost some key players to injury in the process. With our stocks of talls already skint we now lose Rory Lobb for prospectively a sizeable chunk of the season whilst livewire forward Michale Walters looks set to miss one or two games with a Hamstring strain. Whereto? Hopefully the Chief has all the answers.

There was some sunshine sneaking through the clouds with some encouraging performances from a couple of the younger guys and a strong across the board effort from the Freo boys even if our skills and decision making let us down at times.

With less than two weeks to travel before we take on Melbourne at the G,

Its definitely time to.....

Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Restump we run back over the weekends practice match against the mob from down the road.

Plenty of positives as the boys made short work of a Mark Hutchingsless West Coast. We'll pick and choose positives from the game in an effort to raise expectations for the season ahead.

JL discusses the use of Nat Fyfe this season and the Chief gets a bit upset over the new man on the mark rule interpretation.

As the season proper gets within sight its definitely time to....

Start Wearing Purple

On Todays Pod we continue pre season ramblings;

We discuss the implications of being struck down with the injury curse early in the season with setbacks to key players Matt Taberner, Sean Darcy and the veteran Steven Hill.

Pre Season training seems to be in the spotlight more than ever this season with JL making comments around increased scoring and a focus on ball movement and game style. We discuss how realistic the increase in goals are and what fans expectations should be going into the season.

Not long till we have some footy with Pre Season hit outs just around the corner

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod The Chief decides to talk into the microphone so there is a good chance you will hear some of his wise words this week.

Unfortunately the major news out of Freo this week was a knee injury to ruckman Sean Darcy, the big man will be in a brace for 2-4 weeks before being reassessed which leaves a bit of a hole in our big man stocks.

The season of dancing with your sister is in full force and everyone is looking a million bucks, as meaningless as it is we take some positives from the Dockers first intra club pre season hit out.

We talk Out of contract Dockers and father son prospects; its only a month and a bit till we see some footy but right now........

Lets Start Wearing Purple

On Todays Podcast we catch up after the festive break and catch up with where the Dockers are at so far this preseason.

Its customary for each and every AFL player to be setting PB's and burning up the track at this point each year and it seems that is what is going on down at Cockburn. We discuss whether its any different to previous years and a few noteworthy items that have arisen so far.

The 2021 fixture was released (well the first six rounds) and the boys from Freo have been snubbed again, we've been pidgeon holed back into our seemingly perminent home at 10:00am on a Saturday morning with only one night fixture. They've done it to us again and the Chief is not happy!

We discuss Freo's best 22 in relation to a team published in the West, who was snubbed and how are we shaping up.

Footy season is coming around again quick, hopefully we get a full season,

Lets Start Wearign Purple!

On Today’s Pod we run through the Dockers selections at last weeks AFL Draft.

As we’re a bit light on in the back half the Chief was pretty enthused to see some more depth added into backline stocks.

Heath Chapman came in at 14; Nathan O’Driscoll at 27; the NGA boys in the 50’s and Josh Treacy in the Rookie Draft. A success in the sense that the we were able to execute our first two picks but we discuss the idea of whether they are the players we really need.

Let’s Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Restump we enter Draft mode.

With Freo initally having a pick at number 12 in the 2020 Draft there lies a new opportunity to add another high calibre youngster to an already healthy youth brigade. The draft haul in 2019 of Young, Serong and Henry provided much excitement this season, we put forward suggestions of who wed like to see join in the fun in season 2020.

We'll discuss the 2-4 year boys being back at training this week along with some mature bodies looking for an early start to what will hopefully be a fruitful season in 2020 and the Chief forces upon us another edition of his news room.

Lets Start Waering Purple!

On Today's Pod we look back over trade week; it wasnt a particularly busy one for the boys in Purple. We discuss the Hogan trade and what it means for the club to be sitting on their hands during the player exchange period.

Jojo wants reform of trade week and the Chief wants the status quo but we talk about Salary Cap and mechanisms of trade week and how it could be improved.

So after a weird an uncharacteristically quiet trade week from Freo lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Restump we discuss the big news of Jesse Hogan's now impending departure to GWS.

Its been an interesting journey to say the least since we acquired Hogan from Melbourne a few seasons back, to say that the experience didn't go according to plan could be the understatement of the year.

We look at the what, how, why and where to?

We also discuss free agent compensation; and the Chief gives a very unhelpful Melbourne Cup preview in the Betting Badgers absence.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we try to talk through the Jesse Hogan saga that is engulfing the Freo faithful; is he coming or is he going? After spending what feels like a decade of football off seasons trying to get Jesse Hogan here are we now trying to ship him out? Very confusing.

We talk potential Docker trade targets, Night Grand Finals, The Brownlow and Vasectomies. Theres something for everyone.

So.......

Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we discuss all the trade and free agency signing rumours we could find. Whilst most them are non sensical and next to no chance of materialising in any form whatsoever we have alot of time on our hands and put quite simply have nothing better to do.

Jesse Hogan and his court appearance, he is the gift that keeps on giving for fans of off field drama. The Chief analyses the latest happenings with Jesse as well as other headline making news stories from around the league this week.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we review every Docker players 2020 season in a bit of a different way.

The team took significant strides forward this season under first year coach Justin Longmuir; many players improved and developed thriving in new roles with new responsibilities.

The Quandary resurfaces and we set a record by talking for way longer than we ever have before.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

The season is now over for the Fremantle Dockers and its time to reflect. On Today's Pod we go through a few of our season highlights; the boys did us proud in 2020. Freo fans have so much to be positive about and can now head into 2021 with great excitement.

Four more delistings took place this week; we had rumours of coaches coming in and key forwards happy to look elsewhere for a gig so we'll cover all that and to close out the Chief will recap some of the less prominent news stories of the week.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we recap the final game of the season against the Buldogs, not the result we wanted but the Freo boys were far from disgraced. The Captain led from the front all day but we didn't quite get the performance accross the board like we have in previous weeks.

The national media has been full of praise for the way Freo has gone about it this year both with playing an abundance of youth and introducing a new game style so we'll discuss that; and the Chief has gone around the grounds to find a couple of interesting tid bits.

The footy is over but that is no excuse to not Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Restump we review the massive win for Freo over the Kangaroos. The boys went to work on Saturday Night and the poor old Kangaroos copped a hiding.

We'll bang on about how good the boy's in Purple played on the weekend and the positivity surrounding the club at the present time so if you're not into boasting, bragging, crowing, bluster, braggadocio or rhodomontade this is likely not the podcast for you.

There's plenty to be happy about going into 2021 for the Freo faithful;

Get around the boys and Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Restump Pod we go back over what was a very impressive performance by the boys in Purple against the Demons. They managed to contro the game almost from start to finish and delivered coach JLo's game plan as designed.

There were a number of standout performances on the night so we'll discuss them whilst celebrating what was a great team victory.

We'll go Around The Grounds to see what else is happening in AFL world and then finally a brief preview of the match that lays before us on Saturday against the struggling Kangaroos.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we look back over the honourable loss against the Tigers on Wednesday. They were 6/1 underdogs going in but the boys in Purple put in a serviceable shift against the reigning premier. If we had of made the most of our opportunities maybe we get a different result?

The commentary and presentation of the game on Fox Footy caught our interest so we will go over that and then finally we go around the grounds to see what else is happening in whatever round it is at the moment.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we look back on the weekend's dissapointing result against the Giants.

The boys always seemed to be up against it coming into the match and GWS proved those suspicions correct as they put us away by close to ten goals. In our last game before heading back to Queensland closing out the season the boy's struggled to cope with the quality accross the park that the Giants possess.

We run through the team and discuss where it went wrong before moving on to Wednesday's fixture against the Tigers; It doesn't get much easier for Freo!

Start Wearing Purple

On Today's Restump we preview the match this coming Saturday afternoon against the GWS Giants.

The boys in Purple play their last game in Perth for a while and still with a mathematical chance of making the Top 8; this game bears some relevance. After a solid win over Sydney last week we discuss the Dockers outlook against the Swans cross town rivals this week.

The Grand Final location has been in the news, we wonder if anyone really cares where it is and the Chief brings us all the latest irrelevant happenings from the AFL world in the Newsroom.

Time to Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Restump we go back over Saturday Nights win over the Sydney Swans. It wasn't the prettiest; highest scoring or memorable Fremantle Dockers performance but the boy's did what needed to be done and bought home the four points and bounced back after a difficult loss the week before to Carlton.

News broke on Sunday of Assistant Coaches Anthony Rock and Michael Prior and High Performance Head Honcho Jason Weber not having contracts renewed for next season. They won't be joining the Hub in Cairns and will leave the club immediately, we give our 2 cents on the matter. Belly and JLo have wasted no time in wielding the axe!

Lets Start Wearing Purple

On Todays Restump we preview Saturday night's game against the Sydney Swans.

The Dockers will unveil another highly touted youngster in Liam Henry this week and we could not be more excited. We run through the matchup and discuss how we see the game panning out.

We produced our first piece or merchandise for the occassion of Liams debut with proceeds from any sales being donated to Madalah (https://madalah.com.au/)

Links to the products:

Hoodie:
https://therestump.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/Liam-Fonzie-Henry-Hoodie?n=13341698

Tee Shirt:
https://therestump.secure-decoration.com/shop/view_product/Liam-Fonzie-Henry-Tee?n=13341643

The Closing Quandary is back so Let's Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Pod we go back over the match against Carlton from Saturday Night; as The Chief has said many a time 'I don't like to bash Umpires but there is a time and a place for everything'. In case you were wondering this is both the time and the place.

What a Debacle!

We go through what was otherwise a pretty solid performance from the boys in Purple; plenty to be enthused about as we emphasize Process over Outcome.

Start Wearing Purple

On Today's Pod we preview the clash against the Carlton Blues taking place this coming Saturday evening; The Freo boys have been in great form of late and we're hopeful it continues this weekend. Carlton are travelling okay and similarly to Freo are in a Restump, Rewire and Replumb. A good match for the Freo youngsters to guage their progression.

The ranting baton has been passed from The Chief to JoJo this week as Ticketmaster cops a spray and The Newsroom is back.

Start Wearing Purple For Me Now!

On Todays Pod we recap what was a fantastic performance from Freo against the Hawks on Monday Night. The Chief; once a major critic of the Monday Night time slot has come around and for someone who lives for the glass to be half empty he can't contain his optimisim for the Dockers future.

The Boys in Purple are starting to bring it all together and its a joy to watch.

If You're Not Already its about damn time that you Start Wearing Purple!

On this episode of the Restump we celebrate the victory over Collingwood that took place on Sunday evening. The Purple Army are up and about, Tabs kicked 4, Serong backed up his run of great games with another stellar perfomance and Luke Ryan continued his push for All Australian honours. The initial outlook of pessimism from the Chief regarding the condensed season and 'Festival of Footy' turns to optimisim even if only for a minute.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Restump we preview the clash with the Magpies this coming Sunday, teams or no teams we'll give it a go! What we're looking forward to and how we see the match playing out. Nat Fyfe is back and Connor Blakely gets his opportunity, plenty to look forward to for the Freo faithful.

We discuss the merits of a 'switch off' campaign for a muckraking Perth 'Journalist' and The Chief is back with another installment of his very popular Newsroom.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we somewhat relunctantly go back over the match against the Geelong Cats played on Monday Night. It wasn't pretty and we didn't get the result we were after but there was a number of bright performances from Freo's young brigade to highlight.

We go around the grounds and check in on what else happened in the AFL this round and The Chief might consider leaving Multi Bets to the Badger.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Epsiode of The Restump we preview Monday Night Football against the Cats; can Freo rectify the issues from last weeks game against West Coast and come out on top this week? We talk lineup changes and matchup challenges with particular reference to big Sean Darcy.

The season is being condensed into a 'Festival of Footy', not everyones cup of tea especially the Chief. We get back into the newsroom and with the Jack Riewoldt embargo in place we're assured of some fresh content......i think.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Restump we review the weekends Derby Result; it obviously didn't pan out the way the Purple Army would have hoped but we highlight what we thought went wrong, what was encouraging as well as some notable performances from the Freo boys.

The first game post COVID restrictions at Optus Stadium was a bit differentas well as the train rides to and from the game. We give our view on how the night panned out for the organisers as well as project forward to next Mondays game against the Cats.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we preview the big match on Sunday, Western Derby 51.

We run through some of the facets of the match we see to be key for Freo; important matchups and some Injuries that are making life difficult for Coach Justin Longmuir. After Freo's quality 3 quarter performance against the Saints last week we're optimistic of a forward showing.

The Chief is back with another edition of the News Room and the Badger turned up to provide us with a rubbish Multi.

Time to Start Wearing Purple!

On Today's Podcast we review the unbelieveable win over the Saints on Saturday Morning. After failing to turn up in the first quarter Freo went to work in the remaining 3 quarters and recorded one of their more memoreable victories.

We run through our best performers and try and make sense of how Coach JLo managed to resurect the teams fortunes after the quarter time break.

We also go around the grounds to check on the rest of the league but more importantly the boys are back home in Perth where they should be; ready to pile on some wins back at Optus Stadium.

The Season definitely has its buzz back, Lets Start Wearing Purple!

Todays Podcast is bought to you by the www.dingobrewery.com

On the Pod Today we preview this weekends match against the in form Saint Kilda Saints. With Injuries to a number of key players we discuss replacements and how the Dockers can adjust to stay in the hunt against Brett Rattens men.

The Perth Hub is now only a week away but the Carona spread in Victoria is threatening the 60,000 limit at Optus Stadium, The Chief gives us his (rant) thoughts on the matter.

The Newsroom is back and and the Betting Badger has been researching all week to come up with a multi we can all get on this weekend.

Lets Start Wearing Purple, the Boys are almost on their way Home!

On Today's Restump Podcast we celebrate the maiden win for Coach JLo and the first 4 points of 2020 for the Mighty Dockers as Freo triumphed over the Adelaide Crows by 20 points at Metricon Stadium.

We run back over the game as well as highlight some noteable player performances; in particular Andy Brayshaw and Adam Cerra.

Freo are on the board in 2020, there is plenty to be excited about down by the Port soooo....

Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we preview this coming Sunday's bottom of the table clash against the Adelaide Crows; Surely its time to hear the song!

The State of The Game has been a topic that has been spoken about ad nauseam this week so obviously we will pile a bit more on top and give our 2 cents worth.

The Perth Hub is almost up and going and the Chief has some outside the box ideas of how we could potentially host a whole heap more interstate teams.

Lets Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we review the weekends match against the Gold Coast Suns.

The boys put in a good effort, please don't expect the same from us. We take a look at what went right for us and what requires a bit more work. We go over some noteworthy peformances from our boys and some performances which will place a coupe in the firing line for next week.

We discuss Mick Malthouse's opinion on Nat Fyfes status in the game and discuss any potential changes for next week.

Start Wearing Purple!

On Todays Pod we preview the upcoming match against the much improved Gold Coast Suns on Saturday Night. We look at the lineups and give our thoughts on areas of strength and potential issues for Freo come this weekends contest.

We discuss the AFL Hub that has been planned for Western Australia and Optus Stadium; The Chief can't believe that Mandurah and David Grays Arena has been overlooked to host a contest.

The News(rant)room is back in full force and we try and figure out what is going on with Connor McKenna and his False Negative Positive Corona Virus Test Results.

A win is surely just around the corner; this has to be our week.

Start Wearing Purple!

Todays Podcast is bought to you by www.dingobrewery.com

On todays Pod we review Sunday's match against the Port Adelaide Power, what went right; what didn't and we discuss some pertinent player performances.

The hubs have been the subject of much discussion this week, we take a look at how the two WA teams have handled the situation and how that has impacted on field performance in the opening rounds of the resumed competiton.

We close out with another dose of Badgers Bets and The Chief lets rip with a rant that may have been better left on the cutting room floor.

Start Wearing Purple.

Start Wearing Purple for me Now!

HOGAN HUSTLES HAGGERSOn todays Pod we preview the upcoming match against Post Adelaide on Sunday.

The ongoing Kim 'Haggers' Hagdorn saga centring around the fortunes of Jesse Hogans career continues.

We discuss the 10% of Freo squad members who know what they're doing when it comes to civility with our blue and canary yellow friends in the Gold Coast hub and the Chief is back with the newsroom.

Start wearing Purple!

Todays Podcast is once more bought to you by www.dingobrewery.com

On the pod today we review the Round 2 performance against the Brisbane Lions; what worked and what didn't.

Player Performances; who was pulling their weight and who could put in a bit more.

Badger heads back to the more familiar surrounds of a race track for some more hot tips and then we finish up with the Closing Quandary.

Lets Get Purple!

Todays Pod is again bought to you by www.dingobrewery.com

On the Pod we talk initial impressions of the new AFL season, crowd noise, skill level and what we thought of the television product.

We also go over crowds being allowed back at the footy and discuss the situation in WA.

The teams are out for this weekends game so we look at the upcoming fixture against The Lions; The Badger severely under utilises the 30 seconds we give him to talk about the Eagles; then we wrap up with Badgers Bets and The Chiefs Newsroom.

Not many sleeps now, START WEARING PURPLE!

Todays Pod is bought to you by https://www.dingobrewery.com/

On the Pod we have a think about what we'd load into the Semi-Trailer thats been packed with Surfboards and Guitars and is headed for the Gold Coast. We look at any injuries that could impact the selection of Freo's Round 2 side, Harley Bennell and his comeback and the Closing Quandary makes a return.

Footy is Back on Thursday, we play on Saturday!

If ever there was a time to be Wearing Purple it would be Now.

On Todays Pod we run through the conditions the new season will be operating under.

The Chief makes some questionable comparisons between the AFL and a communist regime.

The Betting Badger is back with some more short priced favourites you can do your dough on and we run through a couple of the wierder stories of the COVID19 layoff.

With the season only a week and bit away its time to start getting excited and start getting back into the Purple!

Todays Podcast is bought to you by https://www.dingobrewery.com/ .

On todays we pod we discuss the bias that exists in the AFL, East vs West.

We talk AFL hubs, The Chief brings us all the latest news from around the league from his news desk and the Betting Badger has a couple of sure things for us to lay our hard earned down on tomorrow.

Lets get Purple, theres almost some footy to watch!

Todays Podcast is bought to you by www.2Brothersfoods.com . Get online and checkout a wide range of Wholefoods shipped straight to your door.

On the pod today we talk AFL Hubs, we take a look back at drafts from the 2010's; The Chief gets all political and we go over some of the major news stories of the week.

No Betting Badger this week, he's gone missing after a dissapointing result last week.

As Footy seems to be getting closer to a return make sure you Start Wearing Purple!.

In todays pod we look at the Dockers drafting performance from the years of 2000 through till 2010; who we drafted at which number and who we could have drafted instead. Jojo and the Chief put together their best 18's in a hypothetical draft retrospective.

Our first bit of correspondence warrants the initiation of the Badgers Mailbag, The Chief presents some of the weeks stories in his newsroom and we get a couple of hot tips on the track with Badgers Bets.

Ascot Race 3 - Miss Contiki
Warwick Farm Race 3 - Maggie Miss
Sunshine Coast Race 5 - Hell on Turf

Good luck and make sure you're Wearing Purple.

On todays Pod JoJo and The Chief are joined by the Badger; we discuss the current lack of activity in the AFL and how that is impacting AFL media outlets.

We go over some current news stories; the Betting Badger gives us some winning selections for Tuesday the 14th:

Sale Race 5 Number 5
Newcastle Race 2 Number 2
Coffs Harbour Race 4 Number 4
Rockhampton Race 5 Number 6

And finally The Chief is upset with a non approved closing quandary.

Stay Safe and Stay in Purple.

Todays Podcast is sponsored by https://www.dingobrewery.com/

On the Pod we catch The Chief off guard with a surprise in studio appearance from the Betting Badger.

We discuss AFL Memberships and whether people should be entitled to their membership fees back or whether they should consider the money a club donation.

We also we run through a few Freo players and have a thnk about what future profession they could employ themselves in should AFL Footy never return; and The Badger comes up with a sure thing for all of us who enjoy a punt out there.

Start Wearing Purple.

On todays Pod we talk Executive and Player Salary sacrifices in the wake of the season shutdown/hibernation.

The Chief has another questionable crack at the Newsroom and we take a look at where Sam Sturt has come from and where we think he could end up.

The Future of the Podcast is also bought into question as we search for an Original idea to podcast about.

I know its getting hard to stay positive but we can ALWAYS keep wearing Purple!

On todays Pod we discuss the road loss to Essendon at an empty Marvel Stadium and the Chief lets us in the secret to staving off the Carona Virus.

No sign of the Betting Badger and we find out mid podcast that the season has been suspended.

Stay in your Purple June is not that far away.

On Todays Pod we discuss the impact of crowd exclusion in Round 1 of AFL competition and the potential ramifications.

The Chief is back with his News Room (rant) and we do a Season preview of all 18 teams except the Western Bulldogs for some reason; but in a slightly different method than normal.

The Betting Badger features and we run 10 mins longer than planned.

Go find something Purple and Get Into It.

On the pod today we review the performance of the Freo Dockers in their win over the West Coast Eagles at Joondalup, discuss a couple of injury concerns to arise from the game and celebrate as all Freo Fans should; a very meaningful victory.

We check in on the Betting Badger and see how his first two recommendations panned out as well as start to think what the future could hold for the flailing West Coast Eagles.

I hope everyone is Wearing Purple!

The pod begins with the Chief trying to justify his panic bulk purchasing of Toilet Paper and somehow then manages to segue that into an interesting concept to replace AFLX.

We discuss recent Docker injury issues and preview Saturdays pre-season encounter with West Coast.

Start Wearing Purple for me NOW!

In this episode we review Saturdays pre season matchup with Carlton and then we finally get the debut of the Betting Badger.

The Chief recounts his big day at David Gray Arena and also takes issue with the captains taste in eyewear.

Lastly The Chiefs in depth investigation into Booing reaches a conclusion; to view the startling findings head to the link below:

https://www.therestump.com/post/coast-or-ghost

Start Wearing Purple!

In this episode we preview the team to take on Carlton in the Marsh Series as well make some very early predictions for the 2020 Season.

The Chief starts to apply pressure on Michael Frederick to revert to his given name Minairo as well as throw out unsubstantiated stories of nicknames for our young draftees

If you have exhausted all other avenues we encourage you to have a second look, if you still have nothing to do have a listen

In this episode we discuss the recent announcement of a $1.6 million loss that the Fremantle Dockers declared as well as run through a podcast appearance that former coach Ross Lyon made during the week.

The first episode of the ReStump Podcast, two mates talking rubbish about their favourite footy team.

In this episode we go over some recent preseason happenings as well as have a chat about the history of Freo's coaching appointments and their relative success

It can only get less professional from here.............

https://www.therestump.com/podcast/episode/4ac2e5c9/everyone-starts-somewhere