Dockers fend off Collingwood

Fremantle   100 defeated Collingwood   84

The Fremantle Dockers are through to their first ever semi-final of the NAB Cup after a hard fought 16-point victory over Collingwood at Subiaco Oval.

Without key players, Nathan Buckley, Anthony Rocca, James Clement and Scott Burns amongst others, the Magpies matched the Dockers right throughout the match until a virtuoso last quarter from Jeff Farmer, ruined their chances of an upset victory.

After a sluggish starts for both teams, livewire Magpies forward Leon Davis put through a super-goal from 60 metres out as the ball bounced through. Later in the quarter he kicked his second after a holding free kick was awarded to him in the pocket, after Docker Shane Parker looked uncharacteristically flustered playing on his smaller opponent.

Fremantle stabilized, with Paul Hasleby, Justin Longmuir and Luke McPharlin booting majors to give them a three point lead at the first break.

The second quarter started with some brilliance, as Paul Medhurst, now donning the number six jumper, picked the ball up one-handed, then snapped over his shoulder with the left foot to kick his first goal of the game. Collingwood then got a much needed steadier from Josh Fraser, who kicked the goal from a set shot after a soft free kick in a ruck contest.

Davis continued to be the main target for the Pies, who unlike their opposition were unable to find a consistent forward structure, as he kicked his third from a tight angle. With less than 10 seconds remaining in the half the Magpies went into half time with some genuine momentum, after a skillful Chris Tarrant goal.

Following the efforts of youngster Heath Shaw paddling the ball along the boundary line, Tarrant put through his second of the term when he picked up the ball cleanly, threw it on the boot perfectly to see it narrowly miss the post and sail through the big goals.

Returning to the field behind by a goal, the Magpies carried that momentum into the third quarter. Youngster Dale Thomas was instrumental in the term, spearing two passes onto the chest of Tarrant, one of which resulted in a goal to Tarrant, and the other that was passed off to Ryan Lonie, who went the whole way from outside fifty, to give the Magpies their second nine-pointer of the night.

Yet to have much impact on the game, acting Fremantle captain, Matthew Pavlich then entered the stage kicking an important goal to wrestle back the lead from the Pies, the score at the end of the third term finishing at 79–72, in the Dockers way.

As was the trend of the match, when looking down and out, Collingwood hit back at the start of the last quarter, courtesy of a Shane O’Bree left foot snap around his body.

But not to be outdone, the magical Farmer put through his fourth goal, then his fifth, which all but killed the chances of a Collingwood win.

The Magpies were nothing short of admirable, after fighting back on numerous occasions when they looked ready to be blown out of the water.

For the Pies, Number Two draft pick Dale Thomas was impressive, while Chris Tarrant had a notable performance kicking three goals. Apart from Farmer, Josh Carr was at his irrepressible best, collecting 27 touches, as did his brother, Matthew.

Fremantle will face Geelong in the Semi-Final next weekend at the Telstra Dome.

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