Australian Football

Match Report

Ross Lyon’s first game as coach of Fremantle was exhilarating, and at times, controversial. After crossing over from St Kilda in dramatic circumstances late in 2011, Lyon promised a more ruthless and fierce Fremantle. At first glance, they certainly appear that. A seesawing contest and a thrilling finish, combined with plenty of tension between the two sides, ensured a memorable contest. But most of the post-match focus didn’t surround the tense finish, but on Dockers small forward Hayden Ballantyne. He well and truly got under the guard of the usually calm and collected Cats side. Veteran Cats defender Matthew Scarlett took particular offence to Ballantyne’s controversial tactics. Early in the third quarter, Scarlett finally tired of the Dockers constant taunts and threw a left hook to Ballatyne’s chin, which eventually cost him a three-match suspension. Ballantyne didn’t escape the wrath of the Match Review Panel either, copping a two-match suspension for a behind the play hit on Paul Chapman in the second quarter. Both captains were vital for their respective sides. New Cats skipper Joel Selwood seemed to revel in the extra responsibility, finishing with 32 possessions, including 17 contested. Freo skipper Matthew Pavlich proved to be the matchwinner, kicking the final two goals of the match to seal the win. Boom Dockers midfielder Nat Fyfe appears ready to join the AFL’s elite after another first-class performance.

GOALS
Fremantle: Mellington, Pavlich 3; Clarke, Fyfe, Ballantyne 2; de Boer, Barlow, Bradley, Mzungu
Geelong: Hawkins 4; Bartel 3; Podsiadly, Motlop 2; Johnson, Duncan, Mackie, T Hunt

BEST PLAYERS - AFL.COM.AU
Fremantle:  Fyfe, Sandilands, Mzungu, Johnson, Ballantyne, Clarke, Pavlich
Geelong: Selwood, Kelly, Mackie, Bartel, Hawkins, Podsiadly, Enright

BEST PLAYERS - THE AGE
Fremantle: Fyfe, Sandilands, Ballantyne, Pavlich, Ibbotson
Geelong: Selwood, Kelly, Mackie, Bartel, Chapman, Hawkins

COACHES COMMENTS
Ross Lyon (Fre): Round one's an emotional game, and there was bodies flying, there was niggle, I don't think he (Ballantyne) sucked anyone in to be frank. I think both teams gave away some free kicks through lack of discipline, that was costly, and I think both coaches would be unhappy with that, I know I am.

Chris Scott (Gee): When the pressure is that great sometimes it does lead to a little bit of niggle. We weren't as disciplined as we should have been, I think that's obvious to everyone but we came for the four points and we missed out.

Umpires: Margetts, Ritchie, Stewart

Official crowd: 34,601 at Patersons Stadium