Today’s a very important match for the Fremantle Dockers as they host the Western Bulldogs from Patersons Stadium. We’ll bring you live scores and commentary from 4:40pm AEST.
It is a long time since the Fremantle Dockers have gone in such heavy favourites against the Western Bulldogs, but today the expectation is that they will get the four points and start their charge towards eighth spot.
But such is the competition so far in 2012, there’s no easy games around. One false step from Fremantle from here on in and it would be catastrophic.
The next four games leading into their Round 19 Western Derby should result in four wins (Melbourne, GWS and Port Adelaide to come). But lose today, and they can almost kiss September goodbye.
There were good signs last week against Collingwood in the second half. Strike any memories of the first half from your mind now, because after the main break, they challenged the Pies and forced them to pick up their act. Matthew Pavlich played a lone hand up forward, but was given some help by Hayden Ballantyne.
They’ve made five changes for today’s game which includes getting back some run with Stephen Hill, some defensive help from Antoni Grove and Paul Duffield, while Zac Clarke is out for Kepler Bradley (Fremantle’s version of a yo-yo).
The Dockers also blood new talent Cameron Sutcliffe from Woodville-West Torrens, who was pick 71 in last year’s Draft.
For the Western Bulldogs unfortunately, their hopes of playing in the finals are pretty much dead. Their loss a fortnight ago against Brisbane and a massive loss to Essendon last week showed they just don’t have any consistency or the strength to be up near the top.
They’ve struggled this season to get any semblance of a forward line together, while their midfield has struggled against some of the bigger and stronger bodies.
They’ve been forced into making three changes for today’s game through injury (Dylan Addison, jaw; Adam Cooney, soreness; Bob Murphy, hip) while Brendan McCartney has dropped a misfiring Liam Jones and Jordan Roughead, while Ryan Hargrave’s missed the boat.
It will be a tough task for them today. The only saving grace for the Dogs is their recent record against the Dockers – since 2006, the Western Bulldogs have only lost once to Freo (at Patersons Stadium and only by seven points) – that’s seven out of eight.
It’s the final game of a very interesting Round 15 and who knows, it could just spring a surprise… we’ve had a couple so far this round. Can the Dogs dent the Freo finals hopes?
We’ll have live scoring and commentary coming up from 4:40pm AEST as the Fremantle Dockers host the Western Bulldogs from Patersons Stadium. In the mean time, have your say and let us know if there’s a big winner or loser from the weekend’s footy.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Fremantle 14.11 95 def. Western Bulldogs 8.9 57 So the Fremantle Dockers now join four other teams with a 50% record for 2012. They have Melbourne, GWS and Port Adelaide in the next three weeks - if they can win all of them, they are finals contenders. In a season where 13 wins will get you 8th spot, it's so important they don't drop the ball from here. For the Bulldogs though, if the season wasn't over before this game, it certainly is now. They battled all day, tried to make it a scrap, but were outclassed in the second half. They have a tough three weeks coming up with Hawthorn, Carlton and St Kilda on the way. They might be able to get two or three more wins this season, but it's been a tough season for the Dogs. Thanks for joining me today. We wrap up Round 15 with four teams with 11 wins (Sydney, West Coast, Collingwood and Adelaide) and five teams with 7 wins battling for 8th! You reckon the top five or six is a log jam! Next week there's more amazing games with massive implications. Friday night it's North Melbourne vs. Carlton in a battle for 8th, Geelong vs. Collingwood on Saturday night could really shape places 1-7, while the stand out game is 1st vs. 2nd at Patersons Stadium with the West Coast Eagles hosting Sydney in the Sunday twilight game. Join us next week here at theroar.com.au
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Fremantle 14.11 95 def. Western Bulldogs 8.9 57 Quarter by Quarter Fremantle 2.3 4.7 10.10 14.11 Western Bulldogs 1.2 4.4 7.6 8.9 Goalscorers Fre (6) – Matthew Pavlich 6, Chris Mayne 4, Greg Broughton 1, Ryan Crowley 1, Nick Lower 1, Stephen Hill 1 WB (5) – Tory Dickson 3, Luke Dahlhaus 2, Shaun Higgins 1, Ryan Griffen 1, Will Minson 1 Player Stats Matthew Boyd (WB) 20 kicks, 15 handballs, 17 contested possessions, 9 marks, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 rebound 50’s Mitch Wallis (WB) 11 kicks, 16 handballs, 6 marks Tom Liberatore (WB) 14 kicks, 11 handballs, 12 contested possessions, 7 clearances Daniel Cross (WB) 13 kicks, 12 handballs, 9 marks, 5 tackles Clancee Pearce (Fre) 14 kicks, 9 handballs, 11 contested possessions, 7 tackles, 7 clearances Michael Johnson (Fre) 12 kicks, 10 handballs, 8 marks Matt de Boer (Fre) 11 kicks, 11 handballs, 6 tackles Team Stats Disposals: WB 369-340; Contested Possessions: WB 134-133; Disposal Efficiency: WB 73%-71%; Tackles: Fre 76-59; Inside 50’s: Fre 54-36; Time In Forward Half: Fre 49%, WB 35%, In Dispute 16%; Marks Inside 50: Fre 16-6
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Fremantle 14.11 95 def. Western Bulldogs 8.9 57 The Fremantle Dockers win at home against the Western Bulldogs – a game they should have won. But they made it difficult for themselves, especially in the second quarter. But they kicked away in the third quarter with a six goal to three effort. The win takes them to 7-7, and with a very cushy run in the next three weeks. They could very well be 10-7 and inside the eight
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:30 left | Fre 14.10 94 | WB 8.9 57 Shaun Higgins hobbling off the ground late - that's a shame. He's tried his hardest today with little reward. Michael Barlow kicks the ball forward to Matthew Pavlich - marks it! A chance for his 6th today - from 35m out - GOAL! Another bag for him, one of the best in the league this guy!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 1:42 left | Fre 13.10 88 | WB 8.9 57 Daniel Cross has the footy at half forward. Kicks the ball long towards Will Minson, and takes the mark 20m out. A chance for a consolation goal - kicks it.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 3:11 left | Fre 13.10 88 | WB 7.9 51 Luke McPharlin takes a great mark at half forward... then decides to go for a gallop! Lopes to the 50m arc... kicks... a shocker! That's a let down.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:12 left | Fre 13.10 88 | WB 7.9 51 A chance for the Dockers to add some extra cream on top. Stephen Hill with his first real showy piece of play of the day. He's kicked a ripper of a GOAL from 50m out. Next 4 minutes important for the Dockers. Get a couple more goals on the board. Percentage could be very very crucial later in the year!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:39 left | Fre 12.10 82 | WB 7.9 51 Easton Wood in the middle of the ground - wants Ayce Cordy, but he's been marked well all day. Intercepted by Adam McPhee. Now up forward for the Dockers, Hayden Ballantyne kicks it into the forward line... Matthew Pavlich affects a tackle... the crumbs to Chris Mayne - GAME OVER! GOAL to Mayne, his 4th of the game
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:00 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.9 51 Awesome! Chris Mayne with the highlight of the game with a ripper of a grab at half forward for the Dockers. Comes off the back of a quick transfer of play to the forward line. He handballed quickly to Kepler Bradley. Bad idea... he's chased down. He got a kick in but out of bounds.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:10 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.9 51 Nathan Djerrkura gets free and kicks to half forward to Daniel Cross. Decides to handball it off to the run of Christian Howard... but it's only through for a behind. Not enough time now, you'd say.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:50 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.8 50 Fremantle 1 goal this quarter to the Bulldogs 2 behinds. 15 minutes of pressure, but not much to really bang on about. Matthew Boyd at half forward, wants Shaun Higgins... but marked by Garrick Ibbotson.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:38 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.8 50 The Bulldogs have it now at their half forward line. They need a goal from this to stay alive. Luke Dahlhaus almost gathers in the forward line... defended by the Dockers, but coming straight back in. Justin Sherman at half forward... kicks to the goal square... rushed through for a behind by David Mundy.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 9:50 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.7 49 The Dockers holding up the Dogs in defence - about 7-8 possessions in their defensive 50. It's eaten up 60 seconds as well. Time right against them. Now a long kick (finally) to centre wing, but spoiled out of bounds by Jon Griffin.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:45 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.7 49 Stephen Hill with a great kick to Adam McPhee at half forward. He goes to the pocket. Wants to hit up Luke McPharlin... but knocked away from him. From the stoppage, David Mundy puts in a rain maker... Brian Lake marks it somehow. That's a fair effort. Dogs going forward again...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:50 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.7 49 Brian Lake playing a good game today - he's been one of their shining lights. Now Easton Wood kicks to Shaun Higgins... spoiled away again and a ball in. Forward pocket for the Dogs. Freo keeping things tight - it's pure Ross Lyon footy! How exciting... *cough* Freo clear it away again.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:40 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.7 49 Long kick from the middle from Ryan Griffen for the Bulldogs into the goal line... pack forms. Ball up right near the goal square. Cleared away from the Dockers. Then Shaun Higgins is pinged for holding the ball at half forward.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 13:40 left | Fre 11.10 76 | WB 7.7 49 Kepler Bradley's back on the ground - a chance he wouldn't come back after a poke in the eye. He's up forward for the Dockers. Freo have it at half forward. Pavlich looks for support. Handballs to Stephen Hill... kicks to Chris Mayne... GOT IT! Juggled it while under pressure. He's right on the point post. Snaps - GOAL! That's the settler right there.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:12 left | Fre 10.10 70 | WB 7.7 49 Still no score since the break. Ball up forward for the Dogs... here's the first score... it's a rushed behind. The Dogs are pressing but need some scoring quickly.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:45 left | Fre 10.10 70 | WB 7.6 48 Turn over from Lindsay Gilbee at half back. Can this lead to a score? Slow build up again. But then a long kick towards Ryan Griffen, then kept alive by Shaun Higgins. Kicks into the pocket, but knocked away to boundary. From the stoppage, Ballantyne and Crowley looked like they clashed heads... the Dockers able to clear.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 17:30 left | Fre 10.10 70 | WB 7.6 48 Ball at half forward for the Western Bulldogs. Boyd kicks high to centre half forward. Easton Wood kicks it to the goal line, but intercepted by David Mundy