Dockers dismantle Eagles

Fremantle 18.10 (118) def. West Coast  8.13 (61)

In stunning fashion, Fremantle has moved to outright third on the AFL ladder after crushing cross-town rivals West Coast by 57 points in an eagerly awaited Derby at Subiaco Oval this afternoon.

In front of a record crowd at the ground, Fremantle kicked 11 unanswered goals from the first quarter to the last, winning their eighth game in a row.

West Coast went into the game without key forward Ashley Hansen, and star midfielder Daniel Kerr, who both pulled out before the match.

Nevertheless, Fremantle deserves all the credit they get, overcoming a loose start to finish victors.

Captain Peter Bell was fantastic, picking up 28 touches and booting two goals as well as winning the Ross Glendinning Medal for best on ground.

Livewire forward Jeff Farmer continued his brilliant form, kicking four majors.

For the Eagles, Ben Cousins was best, picking up an equal game-high possessions count of 31 and also kicking three goals.

The start failed to disappoint, as the free-flowing and attacking styles of both sides shone through. Fremantle started best, with three quick goals, including a beautiful long, running goal from Ryan Crowley, before the Eagles hit back in emphatic fashion.

A mark and goal to the in-form Quinten Lynch, followed by three in five minutes to Chris Judd, Cousins and Brent Staker gave West Coast the lead.

The electric atmosphere, pressure and tough work by both sides at ground level was something hard to comprehend, as the Eagles went into the first break with a two-point lead.

Judd and Cousins were prolific in the first term, collecting 11 touches each, and the game certainly looked like one side with finals experience against a side with very little.

The second quarter started without as much fanfare as the first, yet the Dockers took the lead thanks to a Des Headland goal, his second of the match.

All the energy that was put into the first quarter by the Eagles disappeared in the second term as the game slowed down remarkably, as Fremantle, through Jeff Farmer, extended their lead to nine-points.

Skipper Bell put through another, giving the Dockers the last four goals, and a 16-point lead. They ran harder, took risks and kicked long, and thus, played the game on their terms.

Brett Peake slotted an amazing running goal, which put the Eagles well and truly on the back foot, 21 points behind at the main break.

All the momentum that the Eagles found in the fast-paced first quarter eluded them in the second and switched sides to team up with Fremantle.

They hit back when it looked like the experience in big games of the Eagles might blow them away.

Crowley booted his second only minutes into the second half, before Bell also put through his second, leaving a mainly Eagles crowd in silence.

West Coast were laborious in their forward entries, and the Dockers the opposite, as Farmer put through his third, and almost sealed the game, extending the lead to 39 points.

More goals came for the Dockers, two to Paul Hasleby’s name, as the Dockers stretched their consecutive goal count to 11.

Fremantle had all the numbers, found more space, and relished the opportunity to rub salt into the Eagles wounds, leading by 57 points at the last change.

Cousins kicked the first goal of the last term, giving the Eagles their first goal in 68 minutes of playing time.

Justin Longmuir capitalised on some good ball movement and restored the 57-point lead.

In the finish, it was the Dockers by 57 points, a fitting result given their dominance over three and a half quarters.

It didn’t end up being the best game of the year, but it certainly was the game where the best statement was made. After all, Fremantle will most likely finish the night as Premiership favourites.

They hold their destiny in their own hands, and a win next week over Port Adelaide at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night will guarantee them third place, while West Coast venture to the MCG for only the second time this season, taking on Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

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