Australian Football

Match Report

A 21-point win over GWS at Subiaco on Sunday has seen Fremantle further strengthen its hold on top place on the ladder. The Dockers won the first half comfortably before  withstanding a second-half fightback from the Giants, one which saw the margin cut back to 12 points in the middle stages of the third term. But Fremantle steadied and is now unexpectedly six points clear at the head of the table after the Eagles surprisingly drew against the Suns. 

Fremantle was immediately on song and David Mundy had the Dockers' first goal on the board within a minute. Michael Walters followed up with another before Stephen Coniglio registered GWS's first at the eight-minute mark. Walters scored his second four minutes later but it was to be another 15 minutes before either side scored another. Skipper Matthew Pavlich kicked the Dockers' fourth at the 27-minute mark and they led by 18 points at the first break.

The first 10 minutes of the second term produced nothing more than behinds, three to each side. When a goal finally came, it was to the Giants' Nathan Wilson at the 12-minute mark. But, as is so often the case, that goal after a long break brought an immediate reply, Fremantle's Walters getting his third to take the margin back out to 18. The only other major of the term went the way of Docker Danyle Pearce. At the half, it was Fremantle by 26.

GWS mounted a strong challenge as soon as the second half began. Tom Scully and Jed Lamb both kicked goals within the first five minutes and the Giants were within 14 points. Alex Pearce gave Fremantle some respite with a goal at the eight-minute mark, but another GWS goal - this time to Jeremy Cameron saw GWS back within 12 points and pressing hard. But the momentum suddenly shifted. In a six-minute period the Dockers put on goals through Walters, Chris Mayne and Pavlich and they led comfortably by 33 at the final turn.

Goals to Will Hoskin-Elliott and Ryan Griffen gave the Giants brief hope early in the final term but Jonathan Griffin and Mayne settled the matter with replies at the 12 and 16-minute marks, GWS continued to press with goals to Cameron and Rory Lobb but time ran out for the Giants as the Dockers held firm for a 21-point win.

Best for the Dockers included David Mundy (31 touches and a goal) and Stephen Hill (32 possessions), while Coniglio (29 possessions, five tackles) and Adam Treloar (33 disposals, seven marks) had fine games for the Giants.

Fremantle will travel to Melbourne to take on St Kilda next Sunday, while GWS will host Essendon at the Sydney Showgrounds on the same day.

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 4; Pavlich, Mayne 2; Mundy, D. Pearce, A. Pearce, Griffin
GWS: Cameron 2; Coniglio, Wilson, Scully, Lamb, Hoskin-Elliott, Griffen, Lobb

BEST - WATODAY.COM.AU
Fremantle: Mundy, Neale, Walters, Hill, Spurr, Sandilands
GWS: Coniglio, Shaw, Greene, Treloar, Davis, Kelly

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Fremantle: Hill, Walters, Sandilands, Mundy, Neale, D. Pearce
GWS: Coniglio, Treloar, Greene, Shaw, Cameron

INJURIES
Fremantle: Mayne (ankle)
GWS: Buntine (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Lachie Weller replaced Alex Pearce in the fourth quarter.
GWS: Jack Steele replaced Matt Buntine in the second quarter.

UMPIRES: Farmer, Nicholls, Mitchell

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Dwayne Russell, Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson, Cameron Mooney