Fremantle stake claim for finals berth

Fremantle 15. 6 (96) def. Melbourne   9.13 (67)

Fremantle won their third straight match with a commanding 29-point victory over an out of sorts Melbourne outfit at Subiaco oval on Sunday afternoon.

Full of run the Dockers stretched their lead to beyond seven goals in third term as the Demons seven match-winning streak came to an abrupt holt.

Heath Black replaced an injured Paul Hasleby and played a pivotal role along halfback with 31 disposals. The speedy Brett Peake, Matthew Carr and the artistic Roger Hayden were instrumental in ensuring the Dockers penetrated their attacking fifty with vigour. Aaron Sandilands exerted his presence in the ruck as he continued to impress with his athleticism.

Travis Johnstone was important for the Demons gathering 29 possessions, whilst the unheralded James McDonald collected 27-touches through the centre. The creative Aaron Davey snagged three majors and Russell Robertson climbed high on numerous occasions.

Des Headland gave away a free kick and found himself in the book after an indiscretion during the opening bounce and the Demons pounced on the Dockers’ sluggish start. Youngster Lynden Dunn converted from a tight angle when a David Mundy kick-in came unstuck but the enigmatic Jeff Farmer capitalised on a dubious free kick to ignite the home side.

The high-flying Robertson in the goal square gobbled a Davey long bomb up and the Demons appeared to be in control. Matthew Pavlich bullocked through a pack and dished out a handpass to Farmer on the run. His conversion saw a run of three goals to the Dockers with Peake and a Daniel Gilmore snare from the ruck handing Fremantle the lead.

Late goals to Dunn and Johnstone eased back the momentum and the Demons took the smallest of margins into the huddle.

Fremantle dominated the second term slotting four goals to nil and it was big man Sandilands who snared the first blood on the run. With the pressure from the Dockers intense, the genius of Hayden, speed of Peake and height of Sandilands enabled the home side to strangle the in-form Demons.

A clearing kick from Melbournes’ defence landed in the arms of Shaun McManus and a silly Pickett push resulted in a costly fifty-metre penalty. After peppering the forward fifty to no avail, a precise Luke Webster pass handed Headland his first before Green found himself reported for head butting Ryan Crowley.

Crowley converted from an acute angle in the shadows of half time and the Dockers took a healthy 20-point lead into the long change.

Melbourne broke their goal drought through the energetic Davey after he weaved through a mass of players and popped it home. Fremantle, though, were able to respond after Webster drilled a goal on the run.

After a comedy of errors from both sides in the visitors attack, Pavlich was spotted in the centre of the ground and made full use of a vacant square and Crowley extended the lead after being awarded a free kick. Brad Green squandered two easy opportunities within a minute, including kicking into the man on the mark, as the Dockers stood resolute in defence.

A Pavlich major on the siren saw the home side take a 34-point advantage into the last term.

Black found Ryan Murphy on the lead early in the final term and the youngster drilled the sealer which was followed by a classy Schammer snap, but Melbourne were able to quell the momentum with goals to Davey (two) and Robertson.

Pavlich popped home his third before Jamar capitalised on a free kick to cut the deficit to 29-points.

Fremantle travel to the Telstra Dome next round to play cellar dwellers Carlton, whilst Melbourne face a tough battle against the Western Bulldogs.

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