2011 - Year Of The Tiger

Well, it's taken 15 years but finally my mighty Tigers have won their 11th premiership. After the desolation of last year's loss to Swans I didn't want to get too excited before the game even though our form ensured we started as favourites. I needn't have worried. Very early in the game Brett Jones made the determination of the side very clear with a bone rattling, old fashioned shirtfront on the Subiaco ruckman who didn't move for a while. Fortunately he wasn't dead and was eventually helped off the ground. Subiaco fought a hard game and dragged a lot of our play down to their level which made for a pretty scrappy game at times as the usual smooth movement into the forward line became more of a case of bomb and hope. Luckily for us Beau Wilkes was unstoppable up forward taking some great contested marks and often bringing the ball to ground for smaller players. Luke Blackwell and Kane Mitchell were dominant all over the ground and Alroy Gilligan was involved in a number of important passages of play and ended up with 3 goals. Mitchell Andrews was outstanding in the ruck as he has been all season since Andrew Ruck went down with a knee injury. Brandon Franz led a very solid defense and was as reliable as always. As the game went on our lead gradually built until we were in front by 56 points when the final siren sounded. It was a great day and a great night back at the club with a huge crowd in attendance including some of the great former players of the club.

Now let's make it back to back in 2012!!

Harvs Eaten By Lyon

First things first: The way Freo went about sacking Harvs was disgraceful. The bloke's done a good job since he took over from Chris Connolly in 2007 and deserved to be treated with a lot more respect by the club. He can hardly be blamed for the number of injuries this year.

Having said this, I do believe Ross Lyon is a better coach and the right person to take our talented list to the next level. He needs to set a very early standard of excellence and make it clear that no crap is going to be tolerated. There are some players on the list *cough* Michael Johnson *cough* with huge amounts of talent but consistently under-perform and hopefully Lyon can start turning their performances around.

Make no mistake, Ross Lyon has a massive amount of pressure on his shoulders. No full time coach appointed by Freo has ever left voluntarily and unless the club has sustained success from next season Lyon will join that group.

So,

To Mark Harvey: Thanks for all you've done. As a foundation member I appreciate your work and the way you've built a talented, young list and wish you all the best for the future.

To Ross Lyon: Welcome. I'm expecting huge things from you and the club next year and have faith that you'll deliver.

To the members threatening to hand in their memberships: Jump ship if you want but don't come crawling back later. I don't like what was done to Harvs but I've been a member for 17 years because I'm a passionate Freo supporter... not a passionate supporter of individuals at the club. If that were the case I'd have handed back my membership after Neesham was sacked at the end of 1998. I'll be renewing my membership for 2012 and sitting in my same seat as I always do giving the club my full support. It's what being a supporter is all about.

Go Freo!!!