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It was a great game last time and boy the sequel was even better, as the Fremantle Dockers and Port Adelaide Power fought out a tough encounter in Round 1 with the Dockers ultimately coming away with a 7 point win.
The Power led at every change for the first three quarters, only ever by less than a goal, but a run of three goals to the Dockers in the final term – beginning with a great snap from Lachie Neale and ending with a great chase down from Zac Clarke that allowed Hayden Ballantyne to take advantage and boot the sealer – saw the Dockers snatch the game at the death.
Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak kicked a beauty from the pocket with just over a minute to go on the clock but it wasn’t enough, as Fremantle held on to win their first game for the season.
Matthew Pavlich was inspirational up forward for Fremantle, kicking four crucial goals to help the Dockers get over the line. Danyle Pearce kicked two goals and the midfield trio of David Mundy, Nathan Fyfe and Michael Barlow was instrumental in getting the game won.
Lee Spurr made some critical movements in defense and Aaron Sandilands bested Paddy Ryder in the ruck, recording 35 hitouts to Ryder’s 20. Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson kept the Power’s talls quiet.
For the Power Brad Ebert was seemingly everywhere, collecting 34 disposals, 14 marks, laying 7 tackles and kicking a goal, though his night did end on a sour note when he was reported for tripping late in the final term.
Robbie Gray and Travis Boak were in excellent form as usual and Ollie Wines was at his best, collecting 27 disposals and kicking two important goals. Jared Polec had 29 disposals and Chad Wingard kicked 2 goals.
Playing his first game for the Power Paddy Ryder was decent without starring, he was generally beaten by Sandilands in the ruck but did manage to lay seven tackles. It’ll be interesting to see how he goes with Matthew Lobbe in the side – the ruckman was a late withdrawal.
All in all it was a thrilling contest if not a high scoring one, with neither team willing to give an inch. The Dockers eventually came away with the chocolates and will celebrate, feeling their premiership hopes renewed.
Fremantle 11.9.75 def. Port Adelaide 10.8.68
One of the great games of the 2014 season gets its rematch today as the Fremantle Dockers host Port Adelaide at Domain Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6.40pm (AEDT).
The Fremantle team has changed little since that fateful night. In fact, the Dockers are the only one out of all eighteen AFL teams to not field a single new player this week.
Every other team in the competition has at least one – Melbourne has seven – but the Dockers are leaving their hopes to the old hands.
One of the positives for the Dockers is that they’ve remained relatively injury-free this off-season, enabling them to field virtually their best side in Round 1.
All-Australian pair Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson are holding down the key posts down back, while usual teammate Zac Dawson is one of the few Fremantle regulars to be missing from the squad.
Up forward the Dockers’ formidable forward trio of Matthew Pavlich, Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters are all present, with Chris Mayne and Zac Clarke named as talls in support of Pavlich.
Aaron Sandilands as always will provide high-quality tapwork to the star-studded midfield of Nathan Fyfe, David Mundy, Michael Barlow, and the up-and-coming Lachie Neale.
The Power are also fielding a team similar to the one they finished last season with, but with one key difference – the addition of Paddy Ryder.
Ryder left Essendon last year after a tumultuous two years coping with the ASADA saga and was eventually traded to Port Adelaide in a deal that netted the Bombers a first round draft pick and Adam Cooney.
The Power – who ran desperately low on ruck options last year – are glad to have some assistance for Matthew Lobbe, but will also use Ryder as a tall target up forward.
Also worth noting is that Ollie Wines plays his 50th game this week. The young gun hasn’t missed a match since he was drafted and is quickly becoming one of the league’s premier contested-ball midfielders.
Prediction
The Power came away the winners last time we saw this match-up and look to have improved their team since, while Fremantle have done little to move up or down in terms of overall quality. I expect the Power to show their progress with a win today. Port Adelaide by 24 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4.40pm local time, 6.40pm AEDT.