Threats continue for Freo defence
A feature of Ross Lyon-coached sides is their ability to adapt.
His St Kilda teams in 2009 and 2010 weren’t as gifted as Geelong or Collingwood, but with a slice of better fortune at crucial stages in grand finals, both could have snared the ultimate prize.
In his time at Fremantle, Lyon has regularly referred to the Dockers as a “no-excuses” club and one that is willing to play “anywhere, any time”.
On Sunday against West Coast, the Dockers’ defence faces the prospect of harnessing Josh Kennedy, fresh off a 10-goal haul in the Eagles’ demolition of Carlton, and Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett when resting forward.
Making the task a little harder is the fact Fremantle will again be without dependable defender Zac Dawson (groin).
However, the ability of the Dockers to limit the influence of tall trio Tom Hawkins, Mitch Clark and Rhys Stanley in Sunday’s 44-point win over Geelong was telling.
And as far as David Mundy is concerned, he has no qualms that his defensive teammates will handle whatever is thrown at them again on Sunday, particularly if he and his fellow on-ballers do their bit.
“Kennedy’s a massive threat up forward and at the moment we’re a little bit undersized down there,” Mundy said.
“It’s going to take a lot of good pressure up the field and helping out Luke (McPharlin) or Johnno (Michael Johnson) or whoever as best we can.
“If the mids can win the ball and put their heads over it, I think that will go a long way.”
Mundy said the Dockers had full confidence in the ability of the defence, featuring the largely unheralded Garrick Ibbotson, Cameron Sutcliffe, Paul Duffield and Lee Spurr, to stand their ground.
“What they’re doing is working,” Mundy said.
“That’s been a strength of theirs over the last few years and they really help each other out.
“They complement each other really well and bring the ball to ground and bounce out.”
Fremantle have won 12 of the past 15 derbies, including five in succession. Their recent dominance has reduced the deficit on the all-time ledger — West Coast lead 21-19.
Mundy has enjoyed a 14-4 record against the Eagles since playing his first western derby in 2005.
“They’re always great chall- enges and terrific weeks leading into it,” Mundy said.
“The whole population gets behind one team or the other, so it’s terrific to be around Perth in that time.”
