ASSISTANT coach Ben Mathews says this Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at Domain Stadium will be a great opportunity for his midfield group to test themselves against one of the best in the business.
Mathews said his charges were determined to see where they stood against an outstanding Fremantle midfield.
“They do have a great midfield group and [it’s] mature and it’s an area that we’re growing in. Again, it’s a super challenge for our younger mids – the Vineys and Max Gawns and these types,” he told Dee TV.
“They’d like to see where they stack up against some of the best players in the comp.
“Although [Nat] Fyfe won’t play this week, you’ve got [David] Mundy, [Lachie] Neale and [Aaron] Sandilands in the ruck. It’s a really great challenge and I know [Fremantle coach] Ross [Lyon] will not be accepting of their last two weeks and he’ll be really trying to build for two weeks’ time.”
Mathews said having had Lyon as an assistant coach during his playing days with the Swans gave an insight into the way Freo now played.
“You learn off all of your coaches that you have had throughout your playing career. I was lucky to have some really, really good coaches, with Rossy being one of them in the midfield – through a pretty good patch, from when I was playing,” he said.
“He’s a really tough, hard, compromising coach and he shows empathy when he needs to, but he wants results for his group.
“They’re about to embark on a finals campaign and he’ll be really wanting them to make sure they account for themselves really strongly. That’s why it is such a great challenge for our boys. They will come out hard and strong.”
Mathews said last round’s 23-point loss to Carlton at the MCG – after trailing by 53 points – was frustrating for all.
“After any loss, it’s disappointing and certainly the boys have been flat and that’s to be expected,” he said.
“We’re picking up the pieces and once Monday and Tuesday is done, you’ve really got to move on and move on quickly, because there is another game and we’re playing a top class opposition this week in Fremantle.
“You review and you stick to your schedule and hopefully out of it, you get a response and that’s what we hope to get each round.”
Mathews said Melbourne was taking on Fremantle in different circumstances this year.
“It is a tough trip and they are a great side. They’ve come off, unusually, two losses in a row, which is rare for them. They’re a great side and they’re well coached,” he said.
“They’ll be really wanting to atone [for the past two rounds] leading into the finals and two weeks before their campaign. They’re on top of the ladder and they’ll be wanting to prepare themselves as best as they possibly can.
“We know they’re a hard, tough side and they value contested possession highly and it’s something we’ve been working on, so it’s a great challenge for our boys. “It’s a great challenge to come up against a team that’s going to be breathing fire and really committed.
“We’re coming off a down week – a really down week – but it’s a super challenge and one I hope our boys really embrace, not fear, but embrace. [We want them] to go out there and work hard for each other. That’s the response that we’re looking for.”
