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Absolutely smashing game in the end. The Dockers had it completely under control at half time but they just weren’t able to capitalise on their dominance.
They could have put the game away in the first half but poor kicking in front of goal left Port with a sniff.
And then it happened – a four goal quarter from Robbie Gray in the third launched the Power back into the game, and as time went on, the Dockers simply couldn’t block off Port’s amazing speed.
Two late goals from Ollie Wines and a fourth goal from Chad Wingard in the final term sealed the game, and a prelim final berth, for the Power.
No doubt that a combined eight goals from Gray and Wingard is what got the Power over the line. They are absolute stars.
The Dockers were dominant in the stats at half time but the Power turned it around in the second half, and ran out the winners in disposals 332-347, clearances 40-45, inside 50s 49-54, contested possessions 141-143, and tackles 58-67.
Two injury concerns to come out of the game for the Power. Tom Jonas was subbed out early and may miss next week, Matt White who was playing with a broken jaw took another knock, but managed to play out the game and kick a vital goal.
All in all an absolute classic of a game that has turned the whole finals series on its head.
FINAL SCORE:
FREMANTLE 11.17.83
PORT ADELAIDE 15.15.105
It’s a do or die AFL semi-final for the Fremantle Dockers and the Port Adelaide Power on Saturday night as they battle for the right to face Hawthorn next week. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:45pm (AEST).
Just eight points separated these two sides when they met at this same stadium a fortnight ago, making this match arguably the more intriguing of the two semi-finals.
Both sides have shown a lot in the 2014 AFL Season, and both at times have been talked about as possible premiership contenders.
The Power stunned the AFL world at the start of the year, beginning 2014 with a dream run of ten wins from their first eleven matches. However, they dropped off considerably in the latter half of the year, winning just four of their last eleven, and fell to fifth on the ladder.
Fremantle have looked every bit the top four side that they are, with their most impressive period being a mid-year stretch of eight consecutive wins. However, for most of the year they’ve seemed a notch below the other contenders.
They certainly looked it last Saturday when, try as they might, they simply could not overcome the Sydney Swans at home, eventually falling short by 24 points.
Port Adelaide, on the other hand, had a massive momentum-building win, defeating Richmond by 57 points after kicking the first seven goals of their elimination final.
It now becomes do or die for both teams, with room for only one to progress to the Preliminary Final next week against Hawthorn.
History suggests that Fremantle should be the strong favourites. Under the current finals system, only twice in 28 semi-finals has the ‘underdog’ managed to win through and advance to the prelim.
However, Port have gained a small advantage in the absence of Hayden Ballantyne, with Fremantle’s leading goal-kicker set to miss the match after breaking his jaw in last weekend’s match.
Ballantyne’s absence leaves Fremantle with just three players in the side who are averaging more than one goal per game this year in Matthew Pavlich (2.2), Michael Walters (1.7), and Nathan Fyfe (1.2).
Port Adelaide have no less than eight in their side: Jay Schulz (2.8), Chad Wingard (1.7), Robbie Gray (1.5), Jake Neade (1.5), Justin Westhoff (1.2), Matt White (1.2), Angus Monfries (1.1) and Hamish Hartlett (1).
This will give Port Adelaide some confidence that they can more than match it with Fremantle on the scoreboard, especially after a big win last week.
If it turns into a shoot-out, Fremantle will struggle to find goal-kickers.
Keeping up a high level of intensity, winning the ball, and preventing the Power from executing their fast-running game plan, will be the key goals for the Dockers.
One way or another, it looks set to be a cracker of a match.
Prediction:
While Port are definitely a chance, I’m pretty confident that Fremantle will get through.
The Power were impressive last week but that has as much to do with Richmond’s sloppy performance as it does their own talent.
They won’t get that kind of easy hunting ground from the Dockers, and I expect Fremantle’s greater maturity and recent finals experience to see them over the line.
Fremantle by 24 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:45 PM (AEST).