The demoralisation of the West Coast Eagles became too heavy a burden for them to carry on Friday as they invoked the mercy rule. Time to Restump Podcast the Docker’s destructive display. 

Was Friday a taste of things to follow? Yes it was a practice match, yes the Coasters suffered injuries, but pace, the sharp skills, the connection, the cohesiveness of Fremantle was just a pleasure to watch.

The improvement across the board coincided with Freo’s injection of speed, particularly through the likes of Jordan Clark. And there lies the irony… who would have ever thought an injection of speed would find the eagles out!

The great Lloyd “Braun” Meek looked hungry for some roasted bird. He did a power of work taking around 80% of the centre ruck contests and he cooked Nic Nat around the ground. He is up for the fight for a starting spot.

Welcome back Heath and Hayden. How exciting an attacking backline have we got with these two superb defenders. Throw in a Jordan Clarke and a Luke Ryan just to name a few and the opponents have a number of headaches. 

Brayshaw and Serong did Brayshaw and Serong things, Mitch Crowden ensured his name is in the conversation and its difficult not to be happy with Will Brodie’s first look. Meanwhile a very slick winger in Liam Henry is in the process of being built. 

The forwards worked like a well-oiled machine and God help Freddy’s future opponents! A bag of five was reward for his hard running and positioning. Schultz rarely misses out and Colyer picked up from where he left off from last year.

The Chief finally puts up the white flag and admits defeat on O’Driscoll but he left a parting jibe. Fyfe has gone the clean skin again which is apparently big news and then we bring it home with an important culture improving episode of the Neighbourhood Watch.

All in all Friday was an early season treat, a joy to watch and a pleasure you talk about. Whether it is to listen to…. that remains to be seen. But we all need some purple passion in our pilgrimage to the port next week.

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