Thought I'd give a plug for a new book on footy called "Time and Space" by James Coventry. It details the evolution of a range of revolutionary footy tactics. Two Freo contributions stand out: Gerard Neesham is credited for inventing the modern press (harassing and closing in on the man with the ball without necessarily tackling) to induce the ball carrier into a poor disposal. And finally, Chris Connolly is given his due for the the exponential use of the expanded interchange bench - the so-called rotations of players on and off the interchange so that they can maintain a high level of 'endurance of sprinting'. On this last point, I've heard Mick Malthouse try and claim credit for this tactic, but Coventry's book credits Connolly for developing this tactic. Now, every team worth its salt presses, especially in the forward line, and interestingly, the AFL has been 'forced' to put a cap on the number of interchange rotations in a game.
On another Freo note, the book lays out, plain and simply, the lack of concessions that Freo received when it was first established, leading to its early difficulties in attracting, recruiting, and retaining players. It was interesting to read given what we know about the establishment of the Suns and GWS. On this count too, that's why I hold Luke McPharlin (who came back to Freo from the Hawks) and Matthew Pavlich (who could have left but didn't) in the absolute highest regard. As club supporters, I will never tolerate a bad word about these two champions without whom we would have half the club that we do now.
