The fun of the pre-season competition

As we head into the finals series for the Australian Football League, I reflect back to the pre-season competition where the teams travel around the country playing at smaller local venues. The advantage is that instead of large cheering crowds, grandstands, full stadiums, cheer squads and entertainment at the main break - the match has a more intimate feel with people seated on bench seats around the boundary cheering on. Fremantle captain, Matthew Pavlich (29) in a marking dual in the forward line - the advantage of these pre-season games is you are seated right on the boundary in the thick of the action viewing the game as the players do. You see the game from a player's perspective, viewing contests and duals instead of looking down on the game from the stands during the main season.

Taking control of the ball after disposing of his opponent, Pavlich well outside the 50 metre arc pumps the ball long towards the goals. A booming kick, Pavlich regularly kicks goals from outside the 50, today he was lucky to play on only one opponent, all throughout his decorated career, he has been double teamed.

Midfielder David Mundy (16) attempting to take possession while feeling the pressure of his close checking Western Bulldogs opponent.  

Mundy breaking free in the centre square kicking to a contest in the forward line. While pre-season games don't really count for much, Fremantle bought a near full strength side down to Rushton Park in Mandurah as this was the last hit-out prior to the premiership season. This was the final chance to give players a run under match conditions trying new tactics before the first game of the season - the Western derby. 

I brought my Olympus E-410 DSLR camera fitted with a 70 mm - 300 mm zoom lens to capture contests throughout the game. I wasn't disappointed because despite the score; the game felt much closer than the scoreboard indicated and was played predominantly man-on-man with little zoning or flooding tactics applied. I watched the game with my 12 year old nephew, he hasn't had the opportunity to go to many premiership games and this was a great opportunity to see star players close up. It reminded my of the local WAFL competition where I would watch the stars of East Fremantle and South Fremantle play in similar circumstances prior to the formation of the national competition.