Fremantle pipped a gallant Adelaide by 11 points on Saturday night to remain unbeaten this AFL season.
The Dockers, with Michael Walters potting three goals, won 10.8 (68) to 7.15 (57) at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval.
Fremantle star Nat Fyfe was outstanding in an engrossing personal duel with Adelaide linchpin Patrick Dangerfield, who was also superb.
Despite standing against each other, the duo were clearly their respective side’s best players – Fyfe finished with 40 disposals and a goal while Dangerfield collected 38 touches and a goal.
Their personal stoush was a fascinating sub-plot to a match which featured a fast start from the Dockers: they kicked the initial three goals to shock the parochial 45,918-strong Adelaide crowd.
Fremantle’s flow was halted by Adelaide’s Eddie Betts, who slotted a checkside goal from the boundary line.
The Crows added two more majors for a 3.4 to 3.1 lead at quarter-time before both sides could muster just one goal each in the second stanza.
Adelaide’s goal was another top-shelf Betts special: on the 50m line and pinned to the boundary, the wizard launched an audacious left foot torpedo which bounced through.
The Crows led by six points at halftime but Fremantle rallied in the third, kicking a defining five goals to three to steal into the lead.
Forwards Walters and Pavlich slotted two each for the quarter but the visitors were just four points in front at the last change.
A tense scoring stalemate ensued: it took until the 18th minute for the first goal – a precocious checkside on the run from Docker Michael Barlow, which proved the sole major of the term.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Good for Freo to get in some wet weather practice too. It looked like they needed it.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Barlow got a bit freaky too.
13th Man
Guest
Great game. another strong performance from the Dockers, challenged by the Crows but responded once again. We are seeing that Freo can respond to any challenge. Crows were really good also. Against any other team in the Comp that might have been enough. And one of the great all time one on one battles Fyfe V Dangerfield, more of that please! Plus Eddie Betts is just a freak.....an absolute freak! why once again did we have two great saturday night games and a crap 10 goal flogging on Friday. Please AFL fix that up!
Wilson
Roar Guru
you would hope so, tigers are playing well but I think Freo is a level above all the other at the moment. if the tigers can stay within 18 point of Freo in the West then I would class that as a win for them as well.
Ben
Guest
Along with Swans V Hawks a stunning game of footy. Tough, ferocious tackling and attack on the ball and man, neither side deserved to lose. Puts to bed the notion that Fremantle can't play 4 quarters of high quality football. Adelaide were enormous in the battle, and after watching them play at that standard I think if they were a little more composed they would have taken the points. Betts is a freak! The ultimate entertainment machine and didn't Crows fans lift when he got near the ball. Agree with Penster re Friday night. Could Tigers bring their A game to Perth Friday night?
Ben
Guest
Along with Swans V Hawks a stunning game of footy. Tough, ferocious tackling and attack on the ball and man, neither side deserved to lose. Puts to bed the notion that Fremantle can't play 4 quarters of high quality football. Adelaide were enormous in the battle, and after watching them play at that standard I think if they were a little more composed they would have taken the points. Betts is a freak! The ultimate entertainment machine and didn't Crows fans lift when he got near the ball. Agree with Penster re Friday night. Could Tigers bring their A game to Perth Friday night?
bryan
Guest
Great game! Adelaide WERE gallant!! The fact that the result was so close was because they played their hearts out,not because Freo is starting to fade out,as is so devoutly wished by the Victorian mob on this forum!!
Tom from Perth
Guest
Hear hear.
Penster
Guest
Sensational game, Betts, Fyffe firing. Note to AFL - this is what should be televised on Friday nights, not predictable 10 goal floggings.