The attackers or the defenders?
The AFL grand final offers a stark contrast.
In one corner, Hawthorn: the AFL’s highest scorers.
In the other, Fremantle: the AFL’s stingiest defence.
Who prevails? Will the old adage of ‘defence wins premierships’ ring true?
“We’re going to ask some serious questions of the Hawthorn Football Club,” Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said after defeating Sydney by 25 points in Saturday night’s preliminary final.
“And they’re going to ask some serious questions of us.”
Lyon’s Dockers qualified for the club’s first grand final on a platform of relentless defence.
In the home and away season, Fremantle conceded the fewest scores.
And in their two finals victories, the Dockers allowed Geelong only 72 points and reigning premiers Sydney just 74 points.
But 11 clubs, including some non-finalists, scored more heavily than Fremantle this season.
And Hawthorn were the league’s top-scoring outfit – more than 100 points than the next best, Geelong.
The Hawks also passed the 100-point mark in both of their finals wins.
Sydney coach John Longmire is the best placed to answer the premiership-winning question: the attackers or the defenders?
Longmire’s Swans were beaten by both – by Hawthorn in a qualifying final, Fremantle in a preliminary final.
And while reluctant to tip, he appears to favour Fremantle.
“There is no doubt Fremantle are putting on enormous pressure,” Longmire said.
“They have got nearly all their best players available and they’re playing with a fierce want and will to win.
“It stands up in big games … there is no secret to it. You have just got to make sure that everyone is hungry enough to do it.
“And certainly Fremantle are hungry. They have got some real top end talent and they’re putting enormous defensive pressure on.”
Longmire said Freo’s frenetic defence was hard, but not impossible, to top.
“It’s very hard if you have got a full 21 players who are buying into the team defensive aspect, putting pressure on – the team defence aspect is very strong from Fremantle,” he said.
“But can it be beaten? Yes, it can be beaten. But you have got to be good. You have got be able to use the ball well and make good decisions.”