Happy Smothers Day

In more ways than one, you can’t have a smother without a mother and Luke Jackson just ensured it’s a dual celebration! Time to Restump Podcast the harvesting of the Hawks.

Thursday seems so long ago, yet the Wharfie Time signalling chiming bells continue celebratory ringing in my head. 

We got the test we needed against a formidable opponent, in the form of the Hawks, and we aced it. Consequently, any trace of a doubting Thomas tendency is now terminated! 

What a thrilling and thoroughly entertaining game it was. It wasn’t 3 minute bursts here or there like we have been performing in recent weeks against lesser opposition. It wasn't working out to a lead before cue in the racking it. This was a 4-quarter high skilled, tactic changing, pressure fuelled grind in which we were better for longer. 

It took some doing but despite the Hawks enjoying a 22-point margin half way through the final term, it felt one goal either way was the open flood gate difference. 

But late in the piece when there were nervous tension and uncertainty about whether we could raise the level required to get it done, those Wharfie Time church bells sounded! The instant activation of the Freo folk on the field and in the stands, turned the stadium into a giant spine-tingling electrical field, signalling caution to the wind be thrown and sparking inherent motivation.

We've grown up as a team. We can handle pressure and dish out physicality; we have a great complimenting role balance across the board and seemingly a game awareness at all times. We now possess the ability to change things up and adapt on the run if need be.

Case in point - The first half we extended the Hawks exclusive use of the corridor and provided them the equivalent of a police escort. The result of which saw Jack Gunston feast and poor Lukey Ryan and at times Brennan Cox left holding the bag. 

But there is now a hunger for change when things are going sideways. The identification of the issue and the rapid responsive buy in to collectively protect and guard the Fremantle fairway in the second half, was Hawk chokingly productive.

Are we getting our Paddy Voss back? There were signs the passiveness is perishing. The ironically defensive job he delivered on James Sicily cannot be overstated.

And what about Michael Frederick! Freddy just Krugered the Hawks, slicing them to bits as he rolled out his career best game. 

But do we get there without Caleb Serong's second half? Josh Treacys brutal contest winning competitiveness? Or would we all really be enjoying Monday without Luke Jackson's absurd period of mind-blowing dominance and that mother of a smother that had to be seen to be believed?  

We're now 8 on the bounce and we've just knocked off a major adversary. While other hopefuls may rear their heads, we've still got the Brisbane box to brand and the Sydney space to swipe, in terms of current contenders. But after Thursday we'll happily meet those subsequent challenges with a pep in our step and a glide in our stride.

It felt like Thursday was a pivotal point in our end of season endeavours and we got the answer we were all hoping for. 

We're in rare territory so we make hay while the purple sun shines. Come for the celebration and stay for the conversation as we relive our handling of the Hawks.