I can't remember most of my passwords, whether or not it's recycling week or where I put my car keys but I remember 2006 like it was yesterday. It was the year of Sirengate and watching us belt WCE at their home game after sitting on the phone for an hour using the old-fashioned redial button (lather, rinse, repeat) to get rare and precious tickets...back in the days when you could get stuff over the phone.
It does feel a bit same-ish...including having a Wizard on the field...except it should be noted that in 2006 Freo went into the bye not after a win, but after a home-game drubbing by Geelong (if memory serves there was a streaker late in the piece), and then, coming out of their week off, lost again to Sydney...but in the Sydney game there was a marked change in style of play that then gelled big time and started what may still be their longest winning streak. Pavlich later said the team and coaching staff had some structured heart-to-hearts during the break and that's what turned their form around.
Yes, it was a very good year, except for the final result.
Could it play out in the same way? Hard to say. At the moment they look as good as any side out there, but a week's a long time in any footy season.
Also noteworthy was that after the 2006 breakthrough, Connolly was abruptly sacked in the middle of the following season.
