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Needing to win season opener is a 'myth', says Freo skipper
Michael Washbourne
March 23, 2009 03:30pm
FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich says it's a "myth" that clubs need to win the first game of the season to be successful for the rest of the year.
The Dockers have lost their last three season-openers and have failed to make the finals in two of those years.
Pavlich said winning against the Western Bulldogs this Sunday was the ideal result, but believes it won’t hold any bearing on their finals prospects.
“Obviously we want to play well and win the game of football, but there is a bit of a myth out there,” he said.
“There are 22 weeks and it’s a very long season.
“Of course, we would like to build momentum early and start to get these young guys playing and showing some really good form.”
Fremantle lost 10 of their first 11 games last season after president Rick Hart tipped the club to be a genuine premiership threat at the club’s season launch.
Hart has made no such predictions this year and many expert commentators have tipped the Dockers to miss the finals for the 13th time in 15 seasons.
In yesterday’s The Sunday Times’ AFL season guide, just four of the 18 expert tipsters picked Fremantle to make the final eight.
Pavlich said a win would help build momentum for future rounds.
“It’s all about momentum throughout different stages of the year,” he said.
“We’d love to get off to a good start as every team would. There’s no question about that.
“But we’re realistic. It may take a bit of time to get our game plan exactly right.”
Defender Luke McPharlin is expected to be available for the clash with the Bulldogs after missing the past few training sessions due to general soreness.
But young forward Chris Mayne is unlikely to play as he recovers from a pre-season ankle injury.
Mayne is expected to return to competitive football through Perth in the WAFL competition, possibly as early as this week.
Pavlich said the club, who have lost the services of several experienced players including former captains Peter Bell and Shaun McManus, was excited about the season ahead.
“The real stuff’s here,” he said. “It’s exciting and there’s different personnel.
“But the feeling’s still the same and there’s enough energy out there regardless of the age of the guys.
“We’re just confident that we’ve done enough work at this point to have a really good solid base behind us.
“What happens next is going to be the measure of our success.”
Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and skilled forward Robert Murphy are under injury clouds for the Bulldogs, but Pavlich said the Dockers will be preparing for their presence at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.
“The great thing about the Bulldogs is they’ve got a really balanced midfield,” he said.
“We will prepare for those two players and we’re really looking forward to the challenge of a top four side from last year.”
Top draft picks Stephen Hill and Nick Suban as well as recently-promoted rookie Greg Broughton are all in contention to make their debuts for the club after encouraging pre-seasons.
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I love the fact that Pav has given this game away already
Needing to win season opener is a 'myth', says Freo skipper
Michael Washbourne
March 23, 2009 03:30pm
FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich says it's a "myth" that clubs need to win the first game of the season to be successful for the rest of the year.
The Dockers have lost their last three season-openers and have failed to make the finals in two of those years.
Pavlich said winning against the Western Bulldogs this Sunday was the ideal result, but believes it won’t hold any bearing on their finals prospects.
“Obviously we want to play well and win the game of football, but there is a bit of a myth out there,” he said.
“There are 22 weeks and it’s a very long season.
“Of course, we would like to build momentum early and start to get these young guys playing and showing some really good form.”
Fremantle lost 10 of their first 11 games last season after president Rick Hart tipped the club to be a genuine premiership threat at the club’s season launch.
Hart has made no such predictions this year and many expert commentators have tipped the Dockers to miss the finals for the 13th time in 15 seasons.
In yesterday’s The Sunday Times’ AFL season guide, just four of the 18 expert tipsters picked Fremantle to make the final eight.
Pavlich said a win would help build momentum for future rounds.
“It’s all about momentum throughout different stages of the year,” he said.
“We’d love to get off to a good start as every team would. There’s no question about that.
“But we’re realistic. It may take a bit of time to get our game plan exactly right.”
Defender Luke McPharlin is expected to be available for the clash with the Bulldogs after missing the past few training sessions due to general soreness.
But young forward Chris Mayne is unlikely to play as he recovers from a pre-season ankle injury.
Mayne is expected to return to competitive football through Perth in the WAFL competition, possibly as early as this week.
Pavlich said the club, who have lost the services of several experienced players including former captains Peter Bell and Shaun McManus, was excited about the season ahead.
“The real stuff’s here,” he said. “It’s exciting and there’s different personnel.
“But the feeling’s still the same and there’s enough energy out there regardless of the age of the guys.
“We’re just confident that we’ve done enough work at this point to have a really good solid base behind us.
“What happens next is going to be the measure of our success.”
Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and skilled forward Robert Murphy are under injury clouds for the Bulldogs, but Pavlich said the Dockers will be preparing for their presence at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.
“The great thing about the Bulldogs is they’ve got a really balanced midfield,” he said.
“We will prepare for those two players and we’re really looking forward to the challenge of a top four side from last year.”
Top draft picks Stephen Hill and Nick Suban as well as recently-promoted rookie Greg Broughton are all in contention to make their debuts for the club after encouraging pre-seasons.
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I love the fact that Pav has given this game away already
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