Highlights: Fremantle finally get a win, thumping Essendon by 79

By Lou Lando / Roar Guru

5th June, 2016

The Fremantle Dockers finally broke their duck when they won their first game of the season, scoring a massive 79-point win over the Essendon Bombers at Domain Stadium.

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It was more like the Dockers of old rather than the team that has started this season 0-10. The Dockers got off to blistering start, kicking the first four goals of the game in the first 10 minutes.

Led by a dominant midfield and former skipper Matthew Pavlich winding back the clock, the Dockers set the tune in that first quarter.

They extended their lead at every break, their forward pressure all night proved too much for the undermanned Bombers who continually turned the ball over in defence and faced long periods anchored in the Fremantle forward line.

When they did get forward, they lacked purpose and all too often the ball came back far too quickly.

The Bombers’ lack of pressure would have also been a concern for coach John Worsfold, and allowed the Dockers to move the ball with ease.

Numerous times they were able to run the ball from defence to their forward line virtually unhindered.

To their credit the Dockers disposal was as good as it’s been all season as they dominated all over the ground. Thirteen Dockers players had 20 or more possessions and they won the inside 50 count 57-38.

Lachie Neale had a season high 42 possessions and was in everything. He able supported by many of his teammates including Michael Barlow, David Mundy, Tommy Sheridan, Danyle Pearce and Stephen Hill to name a few.

For the Bombers Matthew Leuenberger tried hard all night in the ruck and Zach Merrett and captain Brendon Goddard tried hard.

Ex-Docker Ryan Crowley was given a good reception from the Dockers fans, clapping him whenever he touched the ball and giving him a standing ovation in the last quarter when he came off with a hamstring injury

Overall a dominant perfomance by the Dockers and a great way to bring up their first win of the season. Going by that form, it won’t be their last.

Final score
Fremantle 20.6.126
Essendon 6.11.47

The Roar’s AFL MVP votes
3: Lachie Neale – 42 touches, 13 contested, 7 clearances and set the scene from the start, having a big hand in opening onslaught.

2: David Mundy – could have given him 3 votes, used the ball well and had 7 inside 50s.

1: Michael Barlow – could hve given this to a handful of players, but not only did Barlow get the ball but he kept Zaharakis quiet all night.

The Crowd Says:

2016-06-06T06:56:44+00:00

Don Freo

Guest

Sandi could play until he is 40. We'll get at least 3 more years from him.

2016-06-06T06:51:52+00:00

Tom from Perth

Guest

Hopefully he does stay. That is a stellar midfield. All we need is McCarthy and a new ruckman to replace Sandi and we'll be sorted.

2016-06-06T01:57:31+00:00

johno

Guest

Actually he wasn't kicked out of the club for the pain killer issue. He was kept on the list while he served the 1 year sentence and was available to play finals last year. He was delisted as Freo moved to a more attacking game plan and a tagger like Crowls had been pigeon holed as was not required. Plus he's 31 and everyone complains that Freo is too old. He was cheered by the Freo crowd as they understand footy and love their players. Crowls is a former club champ, played in the 2013 GF, made Brent Harvey and Gary Ablett cry and used to annoy opposition fans. What's not to love?

2016-06-06T01:53:39+00:00

johno

Guest

Well he commented when Sandi re-signed that he was looking forward to 2017 and having Sandi tapping the ball to him. So maybe there's the clue. Freo needs to keep him. A mid field of Fyfe, Neale, Blakely, Sandi looks very good. Outside run from Sheridan, Bennell, Hill, Weller even better

2016-06-05T22:28:36+00:00

Wilson

Roar Guru

Tabs look more like he fits that role of the link up job more then he did in the forward line. Very much like what Melbourne have done Watts and that looks to have helped him as well.

2016-06-05T21:16:53+00:00

Kurt

Guest

Not sure if serious...

2016-06-05T13:40:15+00:00

Don Freo

Guest

He loves Freo. He'll stay. he is just waiting on the new salary cap. I'd prefer Jeremy McGovern to Hogan.

2016-06-05T13:38:07+00:00

Don Freo

Guest

For Freo to get 12 wins, 9th and 10th will have 11 wins each, the way AFL Predictor works for me. That was Adelaide and Port with Richmond 11th and Hawthorn 12th.

2016-06-05T11:38:16+00:00

BigAl

Guest

Actually Don, I have been picturing a scenario where Freo win every game they play for the rest of the season in the classical old AFL blowout manner and STILL don't make the finals.

2016-06-05T10:23:51+00:00

Tom from Perth

Guest

Do you guys think Neale is going to stay purple? If not can we get Hogan with him?

2016-06-05T08:12:36+00:00

13th Man

Guest

matty I'd rather us concentrating on beating a half decent side first.................. it was only Essendon, not that much to get excited by yet.

2016-06-05T08:09:44+00:00

13th Man

Guest

love the optimism mate