And similar to that the strain valve is launched.
Fremantle’s 18.9 (117) to 7.6 (48) victory over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium produced their highest-ever rating underneath Justin Longmuir and was exactly what their season wanted to spice up confidence and ease the strain which comes once you crash down the ladder.
The Dockers entered the sport as clear favourites, however strain does loopy issues to folks. There’s nothing like a very good begin to take that strain away.
Fremantle led at quarter time for the primary time since spherical 21 final season and their 5.3 (33) was their highest-scoring first time period since spherical 22, 2021.
Hawthorn launched the strain valve with some horrible early self-discipline. Sam Frost nailed Michael Walters with a sloppy excessive sort out within the first six minutes, handing him a set shot and the Freo ahead made him pay.
Then Hawks captain James Sicily shoved Josh Treacy in the midst of the again throughout a marking contest to provide away one other free kick.
Sicily assured Treacy wouldn’t miss the set shot by giving the umpire a sprig and that led to a 50m penalty which put the Dockers ahead on the objective line.
Those objectives allowed Fremantle to take a deep breath and really feel snug.
Fremantle rode their early luck. Bailey Banfield thought the ball had been touched after taking a mark so he performed on and Treacy missed his shot. But subject umpire Eleni Tee re-set the mark and Banfield kicked actually.
But the Dockers additionally took the sport on and that made a large distinction as a result of fortune favours the courageous.
Their robust begin allowed Fremantle to soak up Hawthorn successful the centre clearances 12-3 within the first half and nonetheless cost ahead. The backline held up properly regardless of the Hawks main the within 50 depend 29-19 at half-time and so they rapidly obtained the ball shifting.
A second quarter objective which noticed Fremantle surge the ball from Walters to Nathan O’Driscoll to Jye Amiss and Michael Frederick typified the way in which they tried to play. The Dockers had 14 scoring pictures from their 19 ahead entries and took a 31-point benefit to the lengthy break.
Fremantle continued to be rewarded for shifting the ball faster within the second half. Sean Darcy took a contested mark, instantly performed on and Frederick kicked with one other objective.
Then Andrew Brayshaw booted a significant simply moments after Jordan Clark arched his again, charged ahead, had a bounce and drove the ball inside 50.
The consequence was past doubt earlier than twin Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe got here onto the bottom because the sub because the clock ticked into time-on within the third quarter.
It meant he may construct confidence with out the strain of the scoreboard. Fyfe performed as a midfielder and completed the sport with 10 disposals and a terrific objective from the ahead pocket to begin his footy comeback promisingly.
The win wasn’t excellent and it got here towards a Hawthorn staff that’s in re-building mode. But it was a begin. And all of it started with a very good begin.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
