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Fremantle have won the final NAB Challenge match of 2015 with a 19 point victory over their cross town rivals West Coast at Domain Stadium tonight.
FREMANTLE 1 13 17 104
WEST COAST 1 11 10 85
After leading by 29 points at three quarter time, Fremantle survived a late onslaught from the Eagles, to end their preparations for season 2015 in style with a 19 points win.
It could have been so much better for Fremantle had they kicked straighter. They had 9 more shots than the Eagles.
The match didn’t start well for the Dockers, as the Eagles started well.
Looking to continue their unbeaten run in preseason competition against Fremantle, which stood at four straight wins, the Eagles kicked the first two goals of the match for a 13 point lead.
This ignited the Dockers into action and they would kick five of the next six goals to lead at quarter time.
In a good sign for the club they had five different goal kickers in the first term.
Fremantle would then extend their lead to 20 points before a comeback to the Eagles.
A goal to Tom Lamb, and a 9 pointer from Matt Rosa, would reduce the margin to 7 points at the half way mark of the term.
Fremantle would kick one more goal to end the quarter but could have led by more if they took their chances.
They kicked 7 behinds in the quarter, including two set shots to Nat Fyfe, as they failed to capitalise on their chances.
This almost came back to bite them in the final quarter.
A four goal to two third quarter would give them what looked to be a handy lead of 29 points.
In four minutes, that lead evaporated, as the Eagles leaped right into the contest.
Two goals to Mark LeCras, and a goal to Josh Kennedy, reduced the margin to 10 points.
When Scott Selwood was awarded a free kick, and a 50 metre penalty, he would kick another goal to make it less than a goal.
Requiring a response, Fremantle lifted, and kicked an important goal.
Cameron Sutcliffe, who was one of Freo’s best, would kick a supergoal from just outside of the 50 to give the Dockers a 15 point lead.
Two more goals, to Zac Clarke and Matthew Pavich, would give Fremantle a handy buffer and the win.
When they needed to lift in the match, against the Eagles, the Dockers did and scored.
That will please the coaching staff.
What also will please the Dockers is the form of Nat Fyfe.
He was the best player on the ground with 29 disposals and a goal.
Tommy Sheridan also played well with 27 disposals.
For the Eagles, Josh Kennedy kicked 3 goals, with Chris Masten getting 32 touches.
Focus now turns to the season opener for both teams.
Fremantle will face Port Adelaide at home, with the Eagles playing the Bulldogs in Melbourne.
Fremantle will be looking to move on from their off-field issues when they face the West Coast Eagles in the NAB Challenge at Paterson Stadium on Sunday. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:10pm AEDT.
During the week it was revealed that Ryan Crowley failed a drugs test after the Round 17 match against Greater Western Sydney last year. Fremantle believe Crowley took pain killers outside of the club and that provided the banned substance in his positive test.
For failing the test the Docker could be suspended for up to two years.
The news, which took almost eight months to come out, has sent shock waves around the AFL and hampered the Dockers’ start to season 2015. Sunday’s match provides a chance to focus on the on-field action as they take on their cross town rivals.
It has been a better week for the Eagles, who officially launched their season with a gala dinner, and announced Daniel Ricciardo as their number one ticket holder. That won’t count for much to the fans if they get beaten badly by their derby rivals, however.
Both teams have had similar pre-seasons so far, winning their opening game, and losing in their last round. West Coast were beaten by Port Adelaide in Adelaide with Fremantle beaten by Sydney in a close contest at the Drummoyne Oval.
Sunday’s contest will be the 11th between the two in pre-season competition. West Coast lead the head-to-head 7-3, which includes an 84-point smashing against the Dockers last year.
The win may have given the Eagles a good start to the season – they went 3-0 – but they ended up finished behind their rivals in the ladder. They will be looking to win on Sunday and finish higher on the ladder than their state counterparts.
The Eagles have included stars Nic Naitanui and Scott Selwood to the team for the match.
Youngsters Tom Lamb and Jackson Nelson have also been included as they look to include a mix of youth and experience for the clash.
Liam Duggan, Xavier Ellis and Malcolm Karpany are the outs so far for the Eagles. Fremantle’s focus on the game is a strong team with Danyle Pearce, Luke McPharlin, Aaron Sandilands and Lee Spurr included. Hayden Ballantyne and Tendai Mzungu, who both got injured against Sydney, are out of the contest.
While both teams are almost at full strength, they will also experiment and test things out in the match.
The Eagles have had the recent dominance between the two and that might continue. They have won the last four matches between the two in the pre-season competition.
I expect Fremantle to be struggling for match fitness with their inclusions and they will also be affected by the Ryan Crowley scandal.
Prediction: West Coast by 14 points in a close encounter.
Join me on The Roar from 7.00pm AEDT for the live blog.
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