The Fremantle Dockers have sung the song for the first time in 2016, taking a 79-point win at home over the depleted Essendon Bombers.
Final score
Fremantle 20.6.126
Essendon 6.11.47
The bottom two sides battle it out at Domain Stadium on Saturday night when the Fremantle Dockers host the Essendon Bombers. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:40pm (AEST).
The winless Dockers start favourites in what must be a league first, a team with a 0-10 win-loss record starting at such short odds.
The Dockers form hasn’t been all bad though, they have been competitive the last month in matches against the Giants, Tigers and the Hawks. Last week against the Saints they led by 13 points at the last break before being overrun in the last quarter.
Stephen Hill was a welcome return from injury last week finishing with 26 possessions and a game high seven inside 50s. David Mundy returns this week to further strengthen the midfield.
The Bombers have been more competitive this season than most people thought they would. But they have been unable to play for a full four quarters.
Still they can be encouraged by the form of some of their youngsters. First year rookie Darcy Parish continued his good form last week finishing with 25 possessions and two goals.
As to did Zach Merrett who is averaging 27 disposals a game this season and ranks 11th in the league in tackles.
Not surprisingly these two teams are the lowest scoring in the league and both rank only above the Suns in inside 50s.
The Bombers suffered a blow at selection with the loss of Michael Hartley who pulled a hamstring last week. Hartley has been the Bomber’s best tall defender so far and his loss leaves them very small down back.
Possibly for that reason the Dockers bring back 200cm Michael Apeness for his third AFL game. He and Michael Taberner could cause the Bombers some problems.
For the Bombers Mitch Brown has had a good two weeks kicking six goals in that time and proving a mobile target. He and Joe Daniher will hold the key as to whether or not the Bombers can kick a winning score.
Prediction
Some believe this will be a battle for the No.1 draft pick and that both teams may tank but I think both teams will be determined to prove a point and break their losing streaks.
Dockers by 18 points.
Don Freo
Guest
Nah. Apeness has a broken collarbone. Two broken legs. Five broken ribs. One broken wrist. One broken collarbone.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Phew... ...I think.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Click here for the full match report from this game Thanks for joining us tonight. Remember to join the Roar for tomorrow's remaining games. Keep roaring!!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
VOTES This was tough, so many Dockers' players I could have given it to. 3. Lachie Neale (Frem) - 42 touches, 13 contested, 7 clearances and set the scene from the start, having a big hand in opening onslaught. 2. David Mundy (Frem) - could have given him 3 votes, used the ball well and had 7 inside 50s. 1. Michael Barlow (Frem) - could hve given this to a handful of players, but not only did Barlow get the ball but he kept Zaharakis quiet all night.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT 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. 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 kick 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 ahve 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 Barlow, Mundy, Sheridan, Pearce and Hill to name a few. For the Bombers Leuenberger tried hard all night in the ruck and Zach Merrett and captain Brendan 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 an ovation in the last quarter when he came off with a hamstring. 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.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
FINAL SIREN and a huge win by the Dockers by 79 points. FRE 20 . 6 . 126 ESS 6 . 11 . 47
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Bad kick backwards by Pearce...lets Hams in form 40m out he kicks another one. Two in a row by the Bombers. FRE 20 . 6 . 126 ESS 6 . 11 . 47 Q4 2 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Gleeson marks at Half forward ...finds McDonald-Tipungwuti 55m out...huge kick for a GOAL! FRE 20 . 6 . 126 ESS 5 . 11 . 41 Q4 3 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Langford looks for Crowley in the forward pocket... Crowley pulls up and is holding the back of his leg, looks like he's done a hammy. Given an ovation by the Freo crowd as he comes off. Great to see.
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Dockers by 93, only interest remaining is can they win by 100+
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Sheridan on the 50 finds Mayne with a nice pass. Mayne misses to the right. FRE 20 . 6 . 126 ESS 4 . 9 . 33 Q4 8 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Crowley nice pass inside 50 to Daniher who drops a sitter!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Tucker kicks inside 50 to Taberner who gets the free from Gwilt. Long 50m shot but just touched on the line. FRE 20 . 5 . 125 ESS 4 . 8 . 32 Q4 12 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
10 Freo players with 20 or more touches tonight
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Freo 9 goals to 1 so far this half
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Ball goes to Freo half forward line, Walters out the back handballs to PAvlich, who releases Ballantyne with a sharp handball and Ballantyne runs into open GOAL FRE 20 . 4 . 124 ESS 4 . 8 . 32 Q4 14 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Fierce tackle by Z Merrett, gives Dempsey a chance...passes to Hams 35m out. Hams shoots...misses. FRE 19 . 4 . 118 ESS 4 . 8 . 32 Q4 18 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
From the bounce Dockers go forward....Weller kicks into the pocket...Mayne out positions his opponent...runs into open goal and kicks his third GOAL FRE 19 . 4 . 118 ESS 4 . 7 . 31 Q4 19 mins remaining
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Last qtr under way...
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME and the Dockers lead by a whopping 81 points FRE 18 . 4 . 112 ESS 4 . 7 . 31