He’s instantly become a walk up start. Tommy may never be Emmett-ed again! Time to Restump Podcast the narrow defeat at the hands of the tough and talented top four occupants, Port Adelaide.

That was some debut performance by Tommy Emmett and we’re not talking about the two goals because they were cream on the cake. It was his composure, his ferocity at the ball and the man, his defensive work and his selflessness. When he laid that hit on Dan Houston…. you had to instantly think, Houston has got a problem.

We saw a 21-year-old kid wise and mature beyond his years. We saw someone who knows how to deal with hardship and adversity. We saw a kid with enormous perspective and someone who values and cherishes opportunity.   

That mindset has enabled him to overcome ridiculous challenges that many of us can’t begin to comprehend. And that mindset and his desire to succeed in and enjoy life will carry him a long way in his AFL endeavors. This is the beginning of his journey and we all get to share the ride with him.

We couldn’t contain the strong Port Adelaide side but to run them close to the wire puts us in good stead. A top 4 side desperately trying to retain its position was the real test we needed. And while we lacked a bit of polish and composure under pressure and didn’t quite come out triumphant, it was a contest that will do us no end of good.

It was disappointing to see, yet again, the hatred thrown at Liam Henry, who was facing personal challenges of his own. The agenda driven over-scrutinization and the focusing on his negatives unfortunately continues by those occupying massively overblown senses of self-importance and entitlement. 

He didn’t have his greatest game, he got it plenty, did some really nice things and did some ordinary things… which pretty much mirrored three quarters of the players out there. But if you think that Liam hasn’t been one of many contributing parts to Fremantle’s improved form, you’re deceiving yourself.

Matty Johnson was finally rewarded with a well-deserved and overdue rising star nomination after his game on the weekend, a productive and hard-fought game in which, believe it or not, he turned the ball over 4 times, just once less than Liam. “Crickets from the Henry critics”

Enough of the psychoanalysing and combative return of serve rhetoric here. The long and short of it is, it’s a been a disappointing season but we’re ending it in pretty good shape.

Time to wrap up the weekend’s game and persistently prattle on about all things purple. So, if we haven’t insulted or damaged your ears so far this season, feel free to put them through our nonsense again and we’ll have another go. 

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