Fremantle’s finals hopes have copped an enormous hit after happening to a fast-finishing Western Bulldogs by 29 factors at Marvel Stadium.
In what was billed as an ‘eight-point’ recreation between two September aspirants, the Dockers took the lead early within the remaining time period earlier than giving up three fast targets from centre clearances and 7 of the final 9 to lose 16.6 (102) to 11.7 (73).
Midfielder Jack Macrae then kicked the sealer halfway via the seven-goals-to-four final quarter to increase the hole between Freo and the top-eight to 1 win and a good share.
Doig Medal fancy Caleb Serong (38 disposals and 10 clearances) and Marcus Bontempelli (26 disposals and eight clearances) starred for his or her respective sides however the Bulldogs skipper had the final snicker to assist his crew prevail within the all-important clearance battle.
The first half was a superb old school shoot-out below the roof.
Fremantle sharpshooter Jye Amiss booted three targets at one finish to boost his Rising Star credentials and Western Bulldogs younger gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan matching that feat on the different.
Ugle-Hagan’s prominence continued after half-time, together with a surprising hanger on the wing and big park mark inside 50 within the third time period, to finish arguably his finest recreation of his blossoming AFL profession.
Amiss completed with 4 of his personal, equal with Ugle-Hagan (4.2 and 9 marks) and Dockers veteran goalsneak Michael Walters who popped up at essential instances and prolonged his set-shot streak to fifteen.
Fremantle large man Sean Darcy warned pre-game about his opponent Tim English’s skill across the floor and the towering Bulldog confirmed that early, drifted ahead for the opening aim in his one centesimal match.
But Darcy, who received the hit-outs battle 50-30 and had extra influence, bought one again on his opponent early within the remaining time period to pinch the lead throughout a see-sawing battle between two of the competitors’s finest ruckmen.
Former Docker Rory Lobb, who was targetted bodily final time the 2 sides met in spherical six, began on the bench earlier than going into the ruck and didn’t get cop the identical remedy.
Lobb was comparatively quiet for the Bulldogs, a far cry from his best-afield four-goal efficiency as a Freo participant at their Marvel Stadium assembly final yr, till a lead-changing main from the 50m arc within the final quarter after a debatable free-kick in opposition to Luke Ryan.
The dwelling aspect’s relentless forward-half stress resulted in loads of turnovers and two first-quarter targets as Freo’s pattern of sluggish begins, shedding 13 of 15 opening phrases this season, continued, albeit by only one level.
With simply their fifth inside 50 of the match, in comparison with 15 on the different finish, Walters transformed a snap below stress and adopted that up with a profitable set shot a minute later.
Amiss, who setup Walters’ first with a fast handball, hit the scoreboard himself earlier than quarter-time and made it two simply after the break with an opportunistic snap over his head.
After a then career-high 32 disposals in opposition to Essendon final week, winger Liam Henry’s scorching kind saved rolling, benefiting from the dry situations to hit goal after goal by foot.
The out-of-contract Docker racked up a staggering 21 possessions by half-time and including one other 11 within the second half as his worth will increase by the week.
Down again, Brennan Cox (31 disposals and 13 marks) was excellent together with his marking and talent to learn the play however couldn’t comprise Ugle-Hagan, whereas captain Alex Pearce saved Aaron Naughton goalless till the ultimate time period when he added two targets.
Silky-skilled left-footer Hayden Young and operating machine Jordan Clark rebounded brilliantly from half-back.
Two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was subbed out at three-quarter time for younger gun Neil Erasmus however it’s understood it was extra of a administration factor than any damage.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
