There is two rounds left in the 2013 AFL season and Fremantle have designs on a top-two finish and a double chance in September, and win tonight against Port Adelaide would only enhance that. We’ll have live scores and updates from 7.40pm AEST.
In order to achieve what would be the best finish in the club’s history, they need results to go their way, but they also need to win those last two games.
Coming up against eighth-placed Port Adelaide will be a good test for a side that has everything to play for and has shown all season that they have the talent and, more importantly, work ethic when it counts.
Port have themselves surprised many this season – Ken Hinkley’s men are two games clear of ninth-placed Carlton and would be unlucky to miss out on September action from here.
They have shown an ability to match it with top sides and a willingness to run for each other that has pleased their fans and neutral observers alike and, coming where they have from last season, will have many cheering them on should they continue that form.
Fremantle at Patersons Stadium is a tough ask however, especially with the home side having so much to play for.
The Dockers are also in welcoming back their best players at the right time of the season.
Mathew Pavlich is back from injury and suspension, and is starting to build form at the tight time.
Stephen Hill impressed, back from injury last week against an admittedly underwhelming opposition.
Such is the importance of this game that the Dockers will play Hayden Ballantyne despite the feisty forward coming from the ground with a sore shoulder late against the Demons.
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands was not so lucky, missing with a fractured cheekbone that is not seen as a long-term injury.
Both teams can score and score quickly, but Fremantle’s defence will be the key to victory on Saturday night.
The Dockers have conceded a total of 418 points less than the Power after twenty one rounds and will be looking to strangle a side that will be hampered by the suspension of the in-form Hamish Hartlett.
Recent history is also against the visitors, with the Dockers having won the last five games between the two sides.
For Fremantle, Cameron Sutcliffe and Jack Hannath come in for the injured Sandilands and Alex Silvagni (omitted).
Port welcome back Kane Mitchell, Jake Neade and Sam Colquhoun at the expense of Hartlett (suspension), Nathan Blee (omitted) and the injured Cameron Hitchcock (hamstring).
johno
Guest
The mexican wave was more from joy than boredom with the game. Freo fans just loving where the team is at
bryan
Guest
What happened to Port? As a Freo supporter,I went to the game,expecting us to win by 15 points or so,but 74? This wasn't Melbourne or GWS,it was the team quite recently acclaimed for their "greatly improved performances". Not on last night's showing! Port Adelaide seemed to be in a dream throughout the first two quarters,& even when Fremantle started playing "silly buggers" in the third & fourth quarters &.Port made a bit of an effort,it was still half hearted,&,they couldn't get much traction. Got a few goals,then the Dockers just went back into high gear & pulled away with consummate ease. It got so embarrassing,that the crowd lost interest & started a Mexican wave which went right around Subi several times.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Freo will be looking to finish their season with a bang next week against St Kilda in Melbourne while Port will play Carlton in a match that has less importance than it might have for the Power had the Blues beaten Essendon tonight. We still don't know where either team will finish due to results to come and the ramifications of the Essendon saga, but both sides deserve to play finals and be around the mark they have set for themselves as far as ladder position is concerned. The Dockers have defended well all year but now also seem to be clicking in attack, albeit against teams below them on the ladder, and are poised to have a significant impact in September. Signing off for now, but looking forward to what is to come!
chrismason
Roar Guru
KEY STATS Freo won the disposals 388-352 and Inside 50's 45-41 Port won the clearances 48-34, Hit-outs 47-42 and tackles 87-61
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOALS Freo: Ballantyne 4, Pavlich 4, Walters 3, Sheridan 2, Clarke 2, Barlow 1, Neale 1, Johnson, Hannath 1, Crowley 1, Sutcliffe 1. Port: Moore 1, Monfries 1, Gray 1, Young 1, Mitchell 1, Shulz 1, Ebert 1, Wingard 1, Neade 1.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Fremantle roll on and will be a dangerous side to face in any post=season match, their style of play naturally conducive to producing successful finals football. Port will also play in September after other results tonight and have had a great year, especially coming from where they finished last season, but this performance will show them that they have still some way to go to match it consistently with the top sides
chrismason
Roar Guru
FULL TIME That's a huge win by Freo, destroying the Power by 74 points and charging towards September. This game was supposed to be the closest of Freo's run into the finals but they made a mockery of that, outclassing the Power from start to finish to post a result that was never in doubt. Freo-21.8.134 Port-9.6.60
chrismason
Roar Guru
BEHIND 30min Rushed across Port's goal line by Crowley Freo-21.8.134 Port-9.6.60
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 26min Sutcliffe puts it through from point blank range to pile on more misery for the Power, although with Essendon having just beaten Carlton Port are guaranteed a finals place which will be some comfort. Freo-21.8.134 Port-9.5.59
chrismason
Roar Guru
BEHIND 25min Monfries snaps but misses, behind to the Power. Freo-20.8.128 Port-9.5.59
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 23min Another to Port, Andrew Moore kicking truly for the Power. That's 10 goals in the final quarter. Freo-20.8.128 Port-9.4.58
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 18min Pav wins a free kick in the goal square and puts it through. 20 goals to the Dockers and a 76 point lead. Freo-20.8.128 Port-8.4.52
chrismason
Roar Guru
BEHIND He misses across the face and the lead is out to 70. Freo-19.8.122 Port-8.4.52
chrismason
Roar Guru
16min Pavlich takes another mark inside 50 and will line up for his 4th. The captain really building some form for the finals now Freo-19.7.121 Port-8.4.52
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 13min Pav kicks his 3rd, the Dockers roll on Freo-19.7.121 Port-8.4.52
chrismason
Roar Guru
12min Mundy chips it to Hill, who marks and kicks to Pavlich 35 from goal Freo-18.7.115 Port-8.4.52
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 9min He goals, Port have kicked 4 this quarter. Freo-18.7.115 Port-8.4.52
chrismason
Roar Guru
10min Lobbie boots it inside 50 and Robbie Gray marks. Port playing much better in this quarter. Freo-18.7.115 Port-7.4.46
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 9min Port get one back through sub Aaron Young, who runs in and dobs it from 35m Freo-18.7.115 Port-7.4.46
chrismason
Roar Guru
GOAL 8min Johnson strolls in after intercepting a handball and adds his name to the score sheet. Freo-18.7.115 Port-6.4.40