While we're wrapping up 2015 and looking to move on, one of my wishes for the New Year is for anyone who has anything to do with the Fremantle Football Club resist the urge to slather unnecessary praise on Hawthorn. Besides it being quite chunder-inducing, it can’t be doing much for the players state of mind when it’s time to play them.
I found it pretty strange that over the course of the season, despite being pretty well entrenched on top of the ladder and playing some great footy, Ross Lyon was passing the top team status to the Hawks, using that sycophantic phrase “We’re all just chasing Hawthorn”.
I don’t know whether it was superstition, trying to roll over to underdog status or what, but it’s not good psychology. They aren’t chasing the Hawks, they’re chasing the best version of Freo. Reality is the Hawks premierships are all in the past, so when Freo next find themselves comfortably on top of the ladder, just own it. I’d say don’t even acknowledge them and what they have done (past tense) though, short of being asked directly.
