Fremantle have produced a scintillating midfield show to assert their greatest scalp of the AFL season, downing Geelong by 29 factors in Perth.
Dominant ruckman Sean Darcy and onballers Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw starred because the Dockers opened up the sport and held off the reigning premiers to prevail 16.10 (106) to 11.11 (77) at Optus Stadium.
The hosts led by 10 factors at three-quarter time earlier than late objectives to James Aish and Jye Amiss (three objectives) lastly put the see-sawing contest to mattress.
Fremantle’s third straight win lifts them to ninth on the ladder forward of one other enormous conflict with Melbourne on the MCG subsequent Saturday.
Saturday’s conflict resembled an arm wrestle within the early going however the hosts piled on 4 straight objectives within the second time period, transferring the ball at velocity and breaking via the well-organised Geelong defence.
Darcy (43 hitouts, one purpose) supplied silver service to midfield leaders Brayshaw (33 disposals, one purpose) and Serong (28 disposals, one purpose), who additionally mixed for 19 tackles.
Michael Walters booted three majors in a becoming celebration of Indigenous spherical, whereas fleet-footed teenager Michael Frederick supplied the Dockers with drive off the wing and slotted two objectives of his personal.
Coach Justin Longmuir will probably be delighted together with his facet’s stress and willingness to take the sport on, options that had been lacking throughout a lacklustre begin to the season.
But the 45,811-strong crowd endured a nervous wait as Fremantle struggled to place the decided guests away, squandering late objectives after dominant intervals within the second and third phrases to maintain Geelong in with an opportunity.
Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins labored arduous to complete with three objectives, together with two towards the run of the play within the third time period.
Partner-in-crime Jeremy Cameron (0.4) struggled to seek out his radar and was well-held by Luke Ryan, though the sensible ahead nonetheless made an influence with a pinpoint help to arrange Hawkins’ first main.
Missing influential veterans Patrick Dangerfield and Mitch Duncan to damage, the guests have been well-served by younger midfielder Tanner Bruhn and utility Mark Blicavs.
Chris Scott’s males will host GWS subsequent Saturday as they give the impression of being to get their premiership defence again on observe following consecutive losses.
Nat Fyfe, who lined up for his first begin since spherical one after an damage absence and two cameos because the substitute, rotated between Fremantle’s midfield ahead line and gathered 17 disposals earlier than being benched within the third interval.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
