Dockers fail again with victory in sight

While the Western Bulldogs have forgotten how to lose, Fremantle cannot remember how to win - even when in sight of victory.

For the third game in a row, the Dockers worked themselves into a position to post their second AFL victory of 2008, only to capitulate in the last quarter.

Having given up leads of 39 points against Geelong and 51 against Melbourne, Fremantle’s 19-point edge was swallowed up by a rampant Bulldogs outfit that is still undefeated.

Only once before in their history, back in 1946, have the Dogs been unbeaten after eight rounds.

But Dockers coach Mark Harvey denied his side had forgotten how to win, saying a lack of composure late in games was costing them dear.

“It seems to be a common trend with us … once again it is a top four side we have played and lost by a small margin,” Harvey said.

“You forget how to win if you get beat by big margins every week, we have been right in the forefront of games.

“They just don’t show enough composure in the last quarter, that is what is happening.

“You are disappointed for the group and it can be hard to take at times.

“But we have just got to find the way to overcome the problem.”

There were some pleasing aspects for the home side, including Rhys Palmer’s 27 possessions and and Chris Tarrant (four goals) rediscovering some of his touch in front of goal.

Tarrant and Matthew Pavlich put the Dockers 18 points ahead 12 minutes into the final term, when Jason Akermanis and Adam Cooney came to the Bulldogs’ rescue.

Akermanis’ knack of being in the right place at the right time was mirrored by Cooney, who celebrated the birth of son Jaxon this week with two crucial last-term majors.

“We played our get out of jail card, because we were outplayed for three quarters,” coach Rodney Eade said.

“Our first three (quarters) were terrible, our skills and our decision-making was the worst I have seen all year. We were shocking.

“But I thought we could lift, because we have proved it in other games this year. And in most of the games we have been challenged we have been able to answer that challenge.”

That challenge could have been more then three goals if not for Tarrant’s miss from 10 yards with seconds left in the third term.

And Eade said he was well aware of the Dockers’ propensity to burn out, with the Dockers winning just one fourth quarter all year.

“Statistics can lie, but the fact is they are the worst fourth-quarter team in the competition … so that was some comfort for some guys,” Eade said.

Despite staying on the coattails of Geelong and Hawthorn, Eade said his side did not yet deserve to be ranked with the competition trailblazers.

“Geelong are the premiership side and they are undefeated so it is fair chance they are the number one side and Hawthorn are playing fantastic footy,” Eade said

“We are a young side and we have still got a long way to go.”

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