{"id":74075,"date":"2025-05-05T11:32:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T01:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=74075"},"modified":"2026-07-03T10:29:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T00:29:56","slug":"freos-jackson-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2025\/05\/freos-jackson-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Freo&#8217;s Jackson Era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Golden State Warriors we know today, coached by Steve Kerr, are the standard bearer for modern team basketball.<\/p>\n<p>They move the ball and themselves, shoot 3s at high volume and efficiency, and defend aggressively.<\/p>\n<p>Their style of play &#8211; initially built around Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green \u2013 blended a modern, three-pointer dense offensive attack with perfect personnel.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Golden State Warriors Top 10 Plays of the 2014-15 Season\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xWmW4lVXpSo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It is the perfect union of a modern coach and modern players.<\/p>\n<p>But before Steve Kerr, there was Mark Jackson, and no, despite this being an AFL column, I do not mean Mark &#8220;Jacko&#8221; Jackson.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"AFL - Mark &#039;Jacko&#039; Jackson\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uN6rSsoKY0w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I am an individual but you can&#8217;t fool me.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jacko (Mark Jackson) - I&#039;m An Individual\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g0Q5JFHrGNk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Despite having two of the three greatest shooters ever with Steph and Klay, Jackson\u2019s Warriors were outside the top-5 for threes attempted in his final year.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Steph Curry after another 3  <\/p>\n<p>\u201cCOME ON COME ON\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WQIRBJ2MZd\">pic.twitter.com\/WQIRBJ2MZd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Fullcourtpass\/status\/1918499122346176716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It felt like a regressive organisation with progressive players. Imagine if Troye Sivan was raised by the Exclusive Brethren.<\/p>\n<p>Steve Kerr changed that. In his first year at the Warriors, they were fourth for threes attempted. In his second year, they were first, and NBA champions the first of four times.<\/p>\n<p>Fremantle, with Justin Longmuir, is in their Mark Jackson era.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Hill with the first goal, but how about the mark from Owens \ud83d\udcaa<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLSaintsFreo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLSaintsFreo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/diuRGawLEI\">pic.twitter.com\/diuRGawLEI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; 7AFL (@7AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/7AFL\/status\/1918239804539445345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Before the negatives, you have to point out how much elite talent they have.<\/p>\n<p>They have a ball-winner with Caleb Serong and one of the best inside\/out mids in Andy Brayshaw.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Andy Brayshaw in game 150 \ud83e\udd79<\/p>\n<p>how good.<\/p>\n<p>\u2693\ufe0f 65 \ud83d\udc36 39<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/foreverfreo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#foreverfreo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLFreoDogs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLFreoDogs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/P4Dje1vChf\">pic.twitter.com\/P4Dje1vChf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/freodockers\/status\/1908797585378468207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>They have the kind of high score involvement, forward\/mid hybrids that the elite teams need with Hayden Young and Shai Bolton.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">how does Shai Bolton do THAT \ud83e\udd2f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/foreverfreo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#foreverfreo<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLDeesFreo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLDeesFreo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/G5bDGQqPoI\">pic.twitter.com\/G5bDGQqPoI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/freodockers\/status\/1913449822855561562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>They boast game wrecking key-forward talent with Josh Treacy and a capable number two in Jye Amiss. At their feet, they have small forwards with Michael Frederick and the emerging Isaiah Dudley and Murphy Reid.<\/p>\n<p>While they lack run off half-back, they have strong defenders with Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox, while Luke Ryan provides some bounce.<\/p>\n<p>They have everything you need to be a good team that prioritises speed and explosiveness, but they just kicked 33 points.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">-Saints maul Freo midfield to flip script in epic return<br \/>-Freo held to damning lows<br \/>-&#39;Disaster&#39; as Dockers star suffers third setback of 2025<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WillFaulknerFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@WillFaulknerFOX<\/a>  3-2-1 from <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLSaintsFreo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLSaintsFreo<\/a> \u27a1\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Mo2pQsjfyi\">https:\/\/t.co\/Mo2pQsjfyi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gbWf87RMGa\">pic.twitter.com\/gbWf87RMGa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FOXFOOTY\/status\/1918292814695399657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>How? They want to play a 2006-style slow and steady game in a season where every good team moves the ball quickly.<\/p>\n<p>No team defends more aggressively with ball in hand than Fremantle.<\/p>\n<p>Modern teams like Collingwood exit defence quickly, either by hand or foot.<\/p>\n<p>To do it, the Pies are like your girlfriend if she\u2019s tossing up leaving you \u2013 they need space. They get it by keeping their forwards deep to stretch defences, leaving them space to run and kick into.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">THAT&#39;S OUR COLLINGWOOD CONNECTION \ud83d\udd17\ud83d\udda4\ud83e\udd0d<\/p>\n<p>Sensational link up play leads to a Nick Daicos goal! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wrqpP0g6v6\">pic.twitter.com\/wrqpP0g6v6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CollingwoodFC\/status\/1912828784556036200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 17, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Against St Kilda on Friday night, it was like Fremantle forgot that they could handball or play on out of defence. Every exit was a bomb kick up the line and a prayer that they\u2019d win a ground ball.<\/p>\n<p>When they did take a mark they stopped, waited, and looked for a chip up the wing before reverting to a long-bomb. They moved it from their defensive half to a score about 7% of the time \u2013 Essendon\u2019s season-long rate.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike Collingwood, they also devoted nobody ahead of the ball. This meant that when they did take a mark, they either had nothing to kick to up the line or were outnumbered on their kicks up the line.<\/p>\n<p>That recipe is how you lose the ground balls by 38 and give St Kilda \u2013 who went into the game 14th for time in forward (47%) &#8211; about 60% time in forward half.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re making The Power of the Dog in an Uncut Gems world.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"&quot; This is how I win &quot; - Uncut Gems || Adam Sandler &amp; Kevin Garnett\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U0jg5_BGboQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not how they win.<\/p>\n<p>That issue was most stark in the second quarter with the score 15-6. Pearce dumped another kick up the line. Treacy, their best forward, took a genuine pack mark on half-back.<\/p>\n<p>He randomly played on to try and get some speed in the game and looked corridor for one of the only times in the game by any Freo player.<\/p>\n<p>He found that he had nothing to kick it to and just slammed it on his boot trying to get the ball forward. St Kilda predictably chopped it off, rebounded, and hit Mitch Owens inside 50 for a goal.<\/p>\n<p>That passage of play encapsulated the issues. Even when a dump kick is marked, your best forward has to mark it in your defensive half.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond that, any attacking intent is punished because of your structure.<\/p>\n<p>Their ball movement exacerbated another issue \u2013 too much height in defence. Fremantle went into the game with four key defenders \u2013 Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox, Josh Draper, and to a lesser extent Luke Ryan.<\/p>\n<p>The Saints entered the game with 0 key forwards.<\/p>\n<p>With how they exited defence, in combination with their unbalanced defence, they let the Saints kick the same goal 10 times in the second half.<\/p>\n<p>A Freo defender would roost a ball out of defence, a Saint would pick up an the ensuring ground ball and enter 50 dirtily. The ball would hit the deck, and Jack Higgins would swoop on the loose ball and kick a<\/p>\n<p>goal.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jack Higgins is having a sensational season \ud83e\udd29<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AFLSaintsFreo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AFLSaintsFreo<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/g8PtyoFzIR\">pic.twitter.com\/g8PtyoFzIR<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; AFL (@AFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AFL\/status\/1918246055533043978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>I could write more about how they were spanked around the ball or even how their season-long statistical profile would put The Rock to shame in terms of its grandiose mediocrity.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s not worth it. This is a team of good players playing an old-school game style that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n<p>They need to find their Steve Kerr quickly.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><b><i>Like what you read from our hard-hitting columnist?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><b><i>Follow\u00a0<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/guywholikesspo1\"><b><i>@Guywholikessport<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>\u00a0on Twitter or check out his\u00a0<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/guywholikessport.wixsite.com\/guywholikessport\"><b><i>FULL BLOG HERE\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Golden State Warriors we know today, coached by Steve Kerr, are the standard bearer for modern team basketball. They move the ball and themselves, shoot 3s at high volume and efficiency, and defend aggressively. Their style of play &#8211; initially built around Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green \u2013 blended a modern, three-pointer dense offensive attack with perfect personnel. It is the perfect union of a modern coach and modern players. But before Steve Kerr, there was Mark Jackson, and no, despite this being an AFL column, I do not mean Mark &#8220;Jacko&#8221; Jackson. I am an individual&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":74076,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,8298,344],"tags":[29,9778,1329,1207,423,8260,10103,4348,10104,46,3094,10105],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-74075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","category-guywholikessport","category-sports","tag-afl","tag-afl-2025","tag-australian-rules","tag-fremantle","tag-fremantle-dockers","tag-guywholikessport","tag-justin-longmuir","tag-mark-jacko-jackson","tag-mark-jackson","tag-nba","tag-opinion","tag-steve-kerr"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":null,"md_tip_date_end":null,"md_market_url":"","tip_date":"05\/05\/2025","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74075"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74075\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87779,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74075\/revisions\/87779"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74075"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=74075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}