The captain has had it rough of late and copped his share of heat but let’s not forget how good he actually is. Never a better time to respond than when you’re entering the Lion’s den. Time to Restump Podcast preview Saturday’s rumble in the Brisbane jungle. 

There is a lot of Docker disappointment and disenchantment around and for a season full of, so far, failed expectations, it is understandable. However, sometimes you need the almost impossible challenge to snap you out of the trance. 

There is arguably no bigger challenge right now than meeting the current Lions on their home Gabba deck. It is a ridiculously tough task any time but, at the moment, when the Brissie boys have gone all in over the last three weeks, clicked up a gear and set their season up… it’s an even scarier proposition. Add to that that we’re just 4 wins from 15 attempts at the Gabba… holy Christmas! 

We welcome back the vitally important Switta who should add some much needed speed and bite while the Disco has been asked to join in and bring his dance moves. Freddy is out for a month with the quad injury and Corey Wagner has been given a spell in the twos. 

The milestone men, Jimmy Aish and Jaegar O’Meara, each play their 150th. And coincidently they both play it at their third club and in the state they both started their careers in. If you listened to their press conference today you kind of got the feeling Jaegar is about to release the shackles.    

As far as the game goes, who stops Charlie Cameron? Can we at least curtail our former man, Lachie Neale? Recent dog Josh Dunkley is a handful, Joe Daniher is in decent nick, Jack Gunston can get under or over your guard and while Cam Rayner has been in the system a while now, he’s starting to show why he went at pick number one in 2017. We could go on and on because on paper the Lions have heat on every line. 

No shortage of happenings, the Dees are going hard to get pick one, Jacob Weitering coughed up a few bucks, Tassie looks like they’re getting a Stratco shed and the Sicilian might just get a Sicilian welcome next time he ventures to the Apple Isle. Plenty going on, except panic. There’s no panicking going on, the panic button has not been pressed! 

So, all that in further detail and a $750 million dollar Tassie shedload more in this 45 minutes. It’s been a negative week but we’re at that point of the cycle where we’re moving into hope and optimism. If you’re keen to throw away some valuable minutes of your life…. you couldn’t do much worse than listening to this nonsense.  

Send us a text

Support the show

Was it the Boomtown Rats who sang, “Tell me why, we didn’t want Mundy, tell me why..?” Speaking of expressive music, is the great man sending us some sort of signal with his Carole King cover here? Sadly, it’s time to Restump Podcast the Friday night washup.

If the Bulldogs were actual canines, they’d have been rounded up and impounded for the mauling on Friday night. We started picking up the pieces Saturday morning but its tough task and we’ve still got a few days work ahead of us.

Are we over complicating the issues in looking for reasons? Are we ignoring the reality that we’re literally relying on a list of kids? Everything starts in the middle and when you go in with almost 500 games less experience and almost 4 years younger than your opponent’s, just in the centre, do we start asking ourselves, how did we not see that potentially coming?

This isn’t giving the club an out because it isn’t the only issue but it does kind of feel like we’re starting from behind the eight ball and we've little to no option to do otherwise. 

Are we finally coming to the realisation that we may have over-achieved last year? There were a number of wins under two kicks and a draw with Richmond. The age and experience we allowed to leave will help us in the longer term but, did we over estimate our ability to cover it in the short term?

Are these lines of thought too simplistic? Are they the foundational problems on which others have developed? 

It was a magnificent week, a sensational build up but a devastating anti-climax. The last seven days epitomised the extremes of the Freo Docker supporting roller coaster ride experience.

Let’s get into it, Jojo McDonnell’s footy brain and insights are as sharp as anyone’s so he’ll have some answers… hopefully!

So, come along for the chat, our spirits need lifting, we all need to bind together, lean on each other and talk it out.  

Send us a text

Support the show

Been a big week at the Restump and we’re keen to get back to talking actual footy. Time for some ‘English’ lessons as we Restump preview podcast tomorrow night’s Len Hall clash against Rory and the Rovers.

It’s been a riot and we’ve had a boat load of laughs but its nice to get back to talking about the game. We’re two and three after five games…. If we’re three and three after six we might start to believe we’re back on track.

The Dogs are somewhat in the same boat as us, and in more ways than one. They’re two and three, their ball movement isn’t super and they struggle to score. But with the Bontempelli’s, Treloar’s Mcraes and Naughton’s….  if they click they can be slick!

But let’s not undersell their opponents! A James Aish will be ready to go to work in the middle if necessary, the almost unstoppable Caleb Serong, future captain Andy Brayshaw and Will Brodie at their collective best are as good as what’s going around. And let’s not forget about a confidence feasting Jye Amiss and the evergreen Sonny Walters! 

Tim English could actually hold the key here. He’s been in startling form, both in advantageous ruck craft and possession around the ground. Jackson and Darcy, otherwise known as Jackarce, hopefully have taken English lessons and know how to exploit him. 

In case you haven’t heard…. Rory is back in town! This could be one of the most amazing crowd experiences at Optus tomorrow night and we can’t wait. Far be it from us to tell punters what to do, but we’re sure 99.99% of us know where the line is. Let’s go our hardest make it as hostile as possible and one for the memory books.  

The Lobsters Tears has sold out but for those in the vicinity of Secret Harbour, The Harbour Sports Bar has limited supply. They are offering them up tomorrow evening and are doing a giveaway. So, check in with them if you’re keen.

Plenty more game talk on the pod and we hear about something regarding a journalist that has gotten under the skin of the usually calm, measured and unflappable Jojo McDonnell. Believe it or not, the Chief brings us home after reviving the segment we all hoped was dead and buried, the Neighbourhood Watch. 

So, the hours between now and bouncedown are fast counting down but there might still be room for 40 minutes of Restump nonsense.

Send us a text

Support the show

The price of gold is sky rocketing and Sonny just keeps producing it! He may well be the first player to 'sort of' bookend a coast-to-coast play. Time to Restump Podcast the season saving win over the Suns.

All we were after was the four points. It was quite simple, lose and we were done and dusted. Win and there is proof of purple life. 

It wasn’t the most polished performance and, to be fair and balanced, the Suns were on the treadmill in the last quarter. But it is a war of attrition and the reality is if you’re out there you’re classed as fit.

Sonny Walters kept us alive in that first half and he was joined by Caleb Serong who put in an unbelievable four quarter, three vote winning, captaincy signalling performance. 

Kicking 3 goals 2 and giving one off to Matt Johnson, Jye Amiss suggested it should be a long time before we see him at Peel again. His leading  at the ball carrier… we had joyous tears in our eyes. 

We need to persist with Sammy Sturt who showed glimpses of his capabilities, while Schultzy was typical tough hard workmanlike Shultzy. He somehow got hit by a MacPherson truck at speed and the truck came off second best.

While the second gamer Ned Moyle put up a spirited effort, Sean Darcy was all over him and, just quietly, the Jackson knockers would be getting a bit nervous as he’s on the verge of a monster game.

The somewhat different forward line showed signs of functionality and in a reversal of recent form our midfield got on top and took the contest. The four points was the primary goal but the added bonuses we’ll gladly accept.

We ask if Gather Round was as good as the hype? Did the Stealth jumper work? Did Jack Lukosius have covid? If not, why did we treat him as if he did? And does Corey Wagner need to have the rust wire-brushed off him?   

We’re alive in season 2023 and it’s off to Optus Friday to play the much anticipated grudgiest of grudge matches against Rory and his Western Rovers. Our Round Six Rory campaign will kick into high gear this week but we got bowled over in the rush and it looks like we’ve sold out of the Lobster Tears!

Anyway, further details on the pod so, as always, if you’ve got nothing better to do and you can’t find anything better to listen to, then, as long as you’ve double checked, you’re more than welcome to join in on our nonsense here.

Send us a text

Support the show

Sammy Sturt returns after almost two years to the day. Four games, five goals in a Freo forward line… fill your boots, Sammy! Time to Restump preview podcast Friday’s vital game against the Suns.

It is simply a must win game. Coming back from one win and three losses is doable but coming back from one win and four losses is near on impossible. 

It is pretty exciting to see Sammy Sturt finally get back in the team and it will be interesting to see how different the forward line functions. 

We welcome mature age recruit and former North Melbourne and Melbourne player, Corey Wagner who may bring some much-needed age and experience… well 19 games of experience anyway!

Matt Johnson comes into the starting twenty-two and its comforting having flipper Freddy back in the fold.

Given we both obviously struggle to score, Gold Coast being in a very similar precarious position as us isn’t the only problematic issue we share. So, this game could well be won by who manages to not quite score the least! 

Well with this game being shunted to a suburban ground at the weird Friday afternoon time slot of 3.10pm WA time, we’ll get to find out soon enough. 

We have a chat about the Fyfe injury and the Suma misinformation, Andy Brayshaw’s knee niggle and Jojo gives us an update on Round Six Rory campaign and Lobster Tears.  

If you’re looking for something to throw some minutes away on between now and the game…. read a book or talk to your family! But once you’ve done that feel free to listen to this racket.

Send us a text

Support the show

The switch doesn't seem flickable and we threw the bathwater out two weeks ago. Is it the baby's turn to go? Have the wheels completely fallen off? Time to somehow pick up the pieces again and Restump Podcast today’s massacre at the Crow Chateau. 

When you’re struggling for form often the answer is you go back to the basics. The question is though what do you go back to when you’re butchering the basics?

Most players out there had mares today. However, Caleb Serong should be passing around the hat to pay for the extra physio he’ll need on his shoulders from carrying the workload!

It was actually a game of conflicting emotions and extreme emotional swings. There was the deep frustration at the lack of simple ball skills but then there was the somewhat neck saving from the noose realisation that despite the belting on the scoreboard, we each went inside 50, 51 times. 

Sure, it’s obviously cold consolation, but a tad of finesse and composure and some sort of a functional forward line and we’re in competitive territory, despite the issues across the board. 

Speaking of such a forward line, with two Joshs’ Treacy and Corbett and a Sam Sturt hovering, will any of the trio get a look in? If we have a fit foot on a Fyfe, does he replace the struggling Matty Tabs? If nothing else it will be an interesting week at the selection table because surely a message has to be sent after a performance like that one today.

But anyway the reality is we’re one and three and probably one loss away from the 2023 curtains. It’s a little disheartening and not the position we thought we would be in at the start of the year. 

However, as Bob Murphy mentioned on the recent pod, there are no certainties in footy because the ball is an oval shape and its unpredictable. At this point in time we’re willing to put our faith in Bob’s words.

It was an uninspiring game and it probably makes for an uninspiring review. But Jojo has quite the analytical mind and sharp football brain so maybe he’ll have some answers for us.

If you can muster up the effort and intent that was lacking out there today, dig deep and put your head over the Restump podcast ball, then there are 40 minutes of pondering the whys, the how's, the what happened and the what happens next, right here.

Send us a text

Support the show

Ok we’re just having too much fun now. We’re like big kids in a Lobster Tears liquor  store! 

We've been chasing him for quite a while but we couldn't get past his rock solid defences. However, the great Bob Murphy has now generously given us an hour of his precious time and yes… we asked why as well.

Whether he was carrying an injury and we exploited it or, more likely, he thought 'bloody hell... I'll do this and hopefully they'll leave me alone'... we don't know. The point is the universally loved former Dog now Docker had a chat with us. 

We had little time to prepare but hopefully it is as enjoyable listening to it as it was recording it. 

That's enough from us, it is time to let Bob do the talking. 

Send us a text

Support the show

Did Freddy flip the birds in more ways than one? It probably should have come with a “don’t try this at home warning” Time to Restump Podcast review yesterday’s season saving victory.

Are we seeing our own Rachel Hunter moment? "It won’t happen overnight but it will happen." Forget the result, it wasn’t perfect yesterday but the applied and executed game plan, it was a big step in the right direction…. not to mention so much more exciting!

Again, it is far from the polished final product but faster ball movement saw a much more functional forward line. 

Yes, West Coast fans can cry injuries as excuses all they want but at the end of the day it’s a war of attrition. It is survival of the fittest!

How good it was to see Luke Jackson perform after his despicable treatment he copped by The West last week. Did Jye Amiss just cement his spot and what about the great Sonny Walters? Vintage Sonny!

Two Rosco Allans for Caleb Serong who was back to his brilliant best. Andy Brayshaw had a quieter game but was there doing Andy Brayshaw things when we desperately needed them. 

Jojo has the full details on our Round Six Rory campaign and the Lobster Tears beverage and he has some developing news on a potential pod guest. Unfortunately, we have to endure The Chief taking a crack at a recent guest and of course he wants to talk dissent.  

There is so much to talk about and we can’t wait. So, if you want to continue the moment, enjoying the win and talking everything and anything Fremantle footy… pour yourself a pint, park your piece, purple up and press play! 

Send us a text

Support the show

Peel Thunder legend Will Schofield was extremely generous with his time in joining us to talk all things Fremantle footy and the upcoming Western Derby. Time to Restump Podcast with Schoey. 

It’s a bit of a different one this week and while we covered a lot of ground we use the “preview" term very loosely. To be honest, the only disappointing thing from our Fremantle oriented perspective was that… Will Schofield is just too nice a guy! 

As we edge closer to the Bulldogs game we release a sneak peek at the racket that is our round six Rory initiative and it’s safe to say Will Schofield is a buyer!   

Plenty more and we bring it home with a Neighbourhood Watch segment with a lot of guest engagement.

If you’re throwing away 40 minutes and you don’t care for the health of your ears, by  all means bung this nonsense in em.

Send us a text

Support the show

How do we dig ourselves out this deep hole we find ourselves in? Even if only to fast track the grieving process, its time to Restump Podcast whatever that was tonight.

It was a tough game to watch, a tough result to swallow and just as tough a game to talk about. I’d suggest we’re at a loss for words, but we can’t take two losses tonight! 

Where are we? What are we doing here? Is this even real? Where do we go from here? 

Is it a problem we could 4C? Cohesion, connection, composure and clearances. We’re lacking all four and until we find the key and unlock the puzzle, we’re going to remain in some level of pain. 

So, like us, if you’re in a current state of shock, if you’re devastated or disenchanted and you just need to work through it; lay down on the couch, get your ears comfortable and join the collective for a much needed therapy session. 

Send us a text

Support the show