Fremantle will take one of its strongest line ups to ever visit Sydney for this Sunday’s Heritage Round clash against the Swans according to Senior Coach Chris Connolly.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Connolly said with Aaron Sandilands and Chris Tarrant returning to the side that last weekend accounted for Carlton by 77 points, the team would be one of the best equipped Fremantle sides to ever visit the harbour city.
“Historically, this will be the best team we’ve taken to Sydney for many, many years,” Connolly said.
“We’re going with a really strong playing group but, of course, we don’t underestimate a team that’s been in the Grand Final the last two years and won a premiership.”
With Fremantle expecting Sydney spearhead Barry Hall and midfielder Adem Schneider to return to the line up this weekend, Connolly said the 2005 Premiers would not be underestimated despite going down to the Magpies and the Cats in their past two matches.
“Their form was quite good against Geelong last week and they have had some good wins at the SCG so we don’t underestimate them at all,” Connolly said.
“When the opportunities present, historically Sydney don’t give a lot of opportunities, so when they present we’re going to need to take them.
“(Sydney) is arguably the best defensive team over the years so there is even more emphasis on taking our opportunities.”
The SCG has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Fremantle. The club has won just two of nine matches at the venue, with the most recent victory coming in Round 2, 1996.
But with Tarrant and Sandilands set to strengthen the line up, the club is hoping to break their drought on the competition’s smallest ground and put back to back wins together.
“Getting away wins allows you to string games together,” Connolly said.
“We’ve been close against Essendon, Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs but haven’t taken our chances.
“The first thing is to create chances on Sunday and then we’ve got to be good enough to take them.
“These games on the road are very important because then we come back home and we’re a very difficult team to beat at Subiaco.”
For the first time this season Matthew Pavlich, Jeff Farmer and Tarrant will work side by side in the forward line on Sunday.
The trio has collectively kicked 69 goals this season and has been duly complimented by Des Headland booting 12 majors in his past three games.
“I think we go in to the game with a more potent forward line,” Connolly said.
“But again the clearances will be a big test. Robbie Warnock and Aaron Sandilands against (Peter) Everitt and (Darren) Jolly – that will be influential in the outcome as will our work at ground level.
“Coming off the back of the Carlton game it’s an area we weren’t so good in and it’s an area Sydney are very good in so that will be a major focus for us.”
Round 14 Broadcast Details
Sunday 8 July
Fremantle vs. Sydney
SCG, 1:10pm (EST)
TV
FOX Sports 1
Live Nationally
Channel Seven
PERTH – live
SYDNEY – live
BRISBANE – live
WA REGIONAL – live
Radio
PERTH - 6PR, ABC
SYD - Triple M, ABC
MELB - SEN
ADEL - ABC
CANB - ABC
DAR - ABC
** check local guides **
