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Déjà vu all over again for the Fremantle Dockers

6th September, 2014
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6th September, 2014
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Fremantle could have won last year’s AFL premiership. They also could have beaten Sydney yesterday. But on both big occasions they beat themselves with basic skill errors.

The Swans were there for the taking in the third quarter of yesterday’s first qualifying final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Fremantle trailed by just five points at half time but, inexplicably, went into the final change 22 points down and all but out of the low-scoring game.

MORE AFL FINALS:
>>Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers HIGHLIGHTS
>>Hawthorn Hawks vs Geelong Cats HIGHLIGHTS
>>North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Essendon Bombers HIGHLIGHTS
>>Port Adelaide Power vs Richmond Tigers preview

I use the term ‘inexplicably’ because the Dockers dominated most of the third quarter. With their giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands monstering his opponents at the stoppages, they controlled the clearances and had the first eight inside 50s of the quarter.

Yet their sloppy execution and inability to seize key moments saw them return just a solitary behind during that period of complete ascendancy.

The rot started in the opening minute of the third stanza when a clinical clearance engineered by Sandilands ended in the lap of Hayden Ballantyne.

Lining up almost straight in front from 40 metres out, the small forward missed the chance to give Fremantle the lead. Seconds after the ball was returned into play following Ballantyne’s behind, Sandilands fumbled a basic grab 60 metres out from the Dockers goal.

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Minutes later another gimme mark was put down by Fremantle, this time an uncontested one in the goal square, no less, by young forward Matt Taberner.

Soon after, Sydney speedster Lewis Jetta showed them how finals are won by first clutching a difficult mark in a fierce one-on-one contest and then slotting the goal.

Kieren Jack and Lance Franklin continued on where Jetta started by nailing tricky long shots on goal. The contrast between the sides handling of crucial junctures could not have been more stark.

Sandilands more than made up for his error with a phenomenally-powerful ruck display which made him one of the best players on the ground.

Taberner will be haunted by his blunder but is only eight games into his career. Ballantyne, though, turned in a shocker reminiscent of his bumbling effort in last year’s grand final which became emblematic of the manner in which Fremantle squandered their first crack at a premiership.

Just like in last year’s flag decider, when he was one of many Fremantle players who repeatedly butchered the ball, Ballantyne laboured on the big stage.

Yesterday he could muster just seven touches, five of which were clangers. Fremantle comfortably led that undesirable statistical category with 46 clangers compared to Sydney’s 38.

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The Dockers were so dominant for a large chunk of the third quarter that they could, and should, have been in the lead going into the final term.

Instead they faced a nigh-on impossible task of pegging back a four-goal deficit against an elite opponent in greasy conditions.

In the final term, Fremantle didn’t capitulate – they rarely do. However, their failure to capitalise on their ascendancy in the third term would not only have robbed them of confidence but surely also buoyed the Swans.

Sydney must have been overjoyed to have somehow come out the other side of that period with a healthy lead.

When playing in wet conditions, or against a champion side, or in a final, you must grasp your chances in front of goal.

When playing in a match which marries all three of those elements….well, you get the picture.

Fremantle have now left themselves with a horribly difficult path to the grand final. First they must defeat either of the in-form Port Adelaide or Richmond in Perth next week.

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Then they would have to travel to the MCG and overcome their bogey side, Hawthorn.

If not for basic skill errors, the Dockers could well be hosting a preliminary final. If not for basic skill errors, they could well be doing so as the reigning premiers.

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