The Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions are both coming off of what most would consider their best wins of the season. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 1:10pm (AEST).
Coming in to the business end of the season, this contest between a top four contender and a bottom four candidate looms as surprisingly intriguing.
Matthew Pavlich donned his ‘Super Pav’ cape and with his army of warriors clad in purple took down the then top of the ladder Hawks last round.
Fremantle booted seven goals to three in the second half to record a 19-point win – perhaps the most pleasing thing about the performance was an increase in their attacking prowess and a return to the manic pressure that enthralled many in big games last year.
Michael Walters made a much welcomed return to the line-up and had a strong performance in his first match back since Round 3.
The downers of the evening for the purple haze were an incident that led to Nathan Fyfe’s suspension and a broken thumb to Michael Barlow that will see him sidelined for the final two games of the home and away season.
For Brisbane, many wouldn’t have considered them much of a chance against Buckley’s Collingwood side but the withdrawal of Jamie Elliot and Scott Pendlebury before the game seemed to provide them with renewed vigour.
Much was made about the spate of injuries the ‘Pies suffered during the game, but Pearce Hanley was correct in saying that Brisbane had Collingwood’s measure even before the likes of champion Dayne Beams and vital key post players Ben Reid and Travis Cloke went down.
The Lions had some exhilarating run going for much of the night as they carved the ‘Pies up and broke lines left and right.
For a side that has been one of the poorest attacking teams in the competition this season, scoring over 120 points with 11 individual goal kickers was a fantastic result.
Second gamer Jonathan Freeman booted 4 goals and the often maligned Daniel Merrett finally stood up in as a key forward in 2014, booting 3 and providing a presence.
Will the loss of two star players for Fremantle be enough to spark Brisbane again this week?
As much as we fans love the underdog, logic says no chance. Brisbane’s inexperience has led to massive swings of inconsistency all season and the Fremantle people fear seems to be well and truly back in town.
Brisbane go into this game with seven players under the 25 game mark compared to Fremantle’s two. At the other end of the scale Fremantle have 13 players with over 100 games experience compared to Brisbane’s six.
Even when Fremantle weren’t flying earlier in the year they absolutely annihilated Brisbane in all facets of the game. Make no mistake – the 100+ point beltings Brisbane have copped were bad, but in the Fremantle game they might as well have been an Auskick side.
They recorded the lowest amount of inside 50s since stats have been recorded with a paltry 17 for the whole match. Fremantle went into their attacking zone 72 times in comparison.
Brisbane’s final score of 22 was their worst against the Dockers by a fair distance and the losing margin of 83 was also the biggest hiding they’ve copped from Fremantle.
Fremantle will want to back up their fantastic performance last week by putting Brisbane to the sword. Lions fans should be very happy with a competitive effort and acceptable margin.
The hopes for Brisbane are twofold – Fremantle relax their pressure against a weaker opponent and allow them to use their dash and overlap run and the outs of two of Fremantle’s best players will let the likes of Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley to get the upper hand in the midfield.
Playing at the GABBA rather than over in the West will help as well.
For Fremantle, the return of Hayden Ballantyne will bolster their forward stocks and his combination with Walters may wreak havoc on a tall Lions backline. They will be looking to run the well oiled machine efficiently and continue on their march to September.
You never say never and Brisbane are at surprisingly reasonable odds at the bookies, but it’s extremely hard to see the Lions coming out of this with anything other than an honourable loss.
Fremantle by 42.
mattyb
Guest
Or mcpharlan.I really like Lyons no whinging policy.it installs the right attitude amongst the playing group.pound for pound that's 4 of the better players in the comp,on the other side of Australia in scorching 22` temperatures.
bryan
Guest
No Fyfe,no Barlow,no Pavlich---------No problem! :)
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
No worries at all Tom, thanks for the response. Think both teams burned plenty of opportunities but if Fremantle had converted better they could have been up by 60+ at half time I think. Was great to see Walters back and you really have something there in Taberner. Liked Neale's game a lot too.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
That's FULL TIME at the GABBA Ash McGrath is chaired off and given a guard of honour by Fremantle and Brisbane. An excellent career and the last link to the golden era has come to an end. Ash would have liked a few more snags today but he would have been happy to have a crack today. Great scenes at the GABBA. Fremantle's percentage is 131.9 and Port's is 132.4, interesting race for the top 4. Final score is 15.16.106 to 6.12.48 - both sides a little wasteful but Fremantle did what they needed too. Like the preview said, the well oiled machine is chugging along beautifully at the right time of the year. For Freo, the Ballantyne/Walters combination was in full effect today. 6 goals between them and 2 goal assists from Walters. Taberner slowed in the last but looked very impressive for the most part. Neale and Hill did very well in the midfield and Pearce performed well in his 200th game. Crowley blanketed Hanley and should be very pleased with that effort given the latter's recent form. For the Lions, the result blew out a bit more than they would have liked but at least they fought in the second half. Rockliff was massive again with 45 touches and 8 tackles while Dayne Zorko had a career high 38 disposals. Rohan Bewick provided strong support while Stef Martin probably ended up breaking even in the ruck after being well beaten early on. Taylor pushed his Rising Star credentials again as well. GOALS: Fremantle – Ballantyne 3, Walters 3, Mundy 2, Mayne, Taberner, Clarke, Crozier, Pearce, Hill, De Boer Brisbane – Freeman 2, Adcock, Crisp, McGrath, Green BEST: Fremantle - Ballantyne, Taberner, Neale, Walters, Crowley, Mzungu Brisbane - Rockliff, Taylor, Bewick, Zorko, Aish Thanks for reading all, enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Boys were very wasteful in front of goals. Good movement to get into fifty, but we can't be kicking like that next weekend or the finals. Kicking got a little better after the first quarter, but it probably should have been a 80+ point win. Good effort nonetheless. Great to see Ballas and Sonny work in tandem. Crozier is in career form at the moment too. Tabener is slowly improving. Cheers for the coverage Dylan.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
Mzungu is limping as Mayne pumps it inside 50, but Mr.Reliable Joel Patfull takes the intercept mark just before the siren goes. An efficient and strong performance from Fremantle. Wrap coming soon.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
For Port fans, Fremantle's percentage is still just behind yours with 45 seconds left!
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL FREMANTLE 1:32 remaining Q4 Blowing out a bit late, shame for the Lions as they have fought hard this half. Fremantle are a good enough side to punish errors though. The Lions can't kill the ball close to Fremantle's goal and Mundy gets in an inch of room and puts it through, well played. Fremantle 14.16.106 lead Brisbane 6.12.48
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL FREMANTLE 2:45 remaining Q4 Pain for the Port fans looking at percentage as Stephen Hill finishes beautifully to put through another for the Dockers. Fremantle 14.16.100 lead Brisbane 6.12.48
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND BRISBANE 3:33 remaining Q4 Big roost from Beams outside 50 but it's juuust short and knocked through for a behind. Fremantle 13.16.94 lead Brisbane 6.12.48
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND BRISBANE 4:10 remaining Q4 Martin perhaps being held but credit to Fremantle for the pressure, they rush through the behind up in Brisbane's forward line. Fremantle 13.16.94 lead Brisbane 6.11.47
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND FREMANTLE 6:13 remaining Q4 Great footskills from the Dockers again and Ballantyne ends up with it. Big roost from around 50 out but it's just right for a behind. Fremantle 13.16.94 lead Brisbane 6.10.46 Both sides have been a little wasteful today.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND BRISBANE 7:30 remaining Q4 The Lions have got their run going and are opening up Freo a little bit here. Beams delivers to Ash McGrath who marks off another good lead. He goes a bit too hard at it and it goes left, shame for him. Fremantle 13.15.93 lead Brisbane 6.10.46
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL BRISBANE 9:32 remaining Q4 Oh that's very good from Squizzy Taylor the first year player. Has been one of the best for the Lions today and puts it into a great position for Josh Green, who runs onto it and slams it through on the run from the goalsquare. Fremantle 13.15.93 lead Brisbane 6.9.45
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL FREMANTLE That's extremely foolhardy from Zorko. Takes the advantage from the free kick and kicks it straight to the opposition due to the pressure. Matt De Boer gets the ball inside 50 and bounces it through - Freo are marching percentage wise. Fremantle 13.15.93 lead Brisbane 5.9.39
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND BRISBANE 11:30 remaining Q4 McGrath has it again! Even further out, little bit of a tougher angle. Makes the distance easily but just bends off to the right. Good to see him getting involved at least. Fremantle 12.15.87 lead Brisbane 5.9.39
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL BRISBANE 12:40 remaining Q4 Rockliff is up to 40 touches yet again and he's delivered it to Ash McGrath who marks 50m out. Same position as the miracle on grass shot and a similar result! Beautiful kick from McGrath and the crowd love it. Fremantle 12.15.87 lead Brisbane 5.8.38
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
GOAL FREMANTLE 13:55 remaining Q4 Danyle Pearce has a goal in his 200th! Beautiful snap and he's very happy. Fremantle starting to put the Lions to the sword. Fremantle 12.15.87 lead Brisbane 4.8.32 Justin Clarke looks sore, clashed with teammate Gardiner.
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
BEHIND FREMANTLE 17:03 remaining Q4 Mundy takes the mark and it's a pretty good looking kick from about 45, but it just brushes the post. BEHIND FREMANTLE 16:46 remaining Q4 Another shot after the kickout but it's another miss for Fremantle, Hill that time Fremantle 11.15.81 lead Brisbane 4.8.32
Dylan Toune
Roar Guru
We're off in the last GOAL FREMANTLE 18m remaining Q4 Oh that is class! Ballantyne took off like a rocket but there was nobody there. Got around a Lion and held it up, handballed to Crozier who got it to Walters. Walters took off and unleashed from about 40 on the run and with Walters it's not going to be in doubt. That's his third and that's a fantastic passage of play from Fremantle. Fremantle 11.13.79 lead Brisbane 4.8.32