The Gold Coast Suns have beaten Fremantle for the second time in this AFL season, taking a 24-point win at Metricon Stadium.
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Final score
Gold Coast 16.9.105
Fremantle Dockers 12.9.81
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Both the Fremantle Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns are looking to salvage something from the back end of this season when the do battle this afternoon. Join The Roar from 2:10pm (AEST) for all the live highlights and action.
Considering that 17th and 18th are playing each other this week, it only seems fitting that 15th (Suns) and 16th (Dockers) continue the battle of the bottom sides over the weekend.
After a shocking start to the year that saw them lose their first ten games on the trott, Fremantle struck back and lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder, piecing together three wins in a row during a mid-season surge.
It was to be short lived, though, and they have lost their last three since then with injuries mounting.
The Suns were in the exact same boat just three weeks ago, holding a 3-10 record, but where the Dockers stumbled, Gold Coast has taken a quick dip in the winner’s circle.
Wins over Brisbane and St Kilda in the last three rounds has seen them open up a slight gap on the Dockers, pushing two games ahead on the table, with a chance of jumping over Carlton by the end of the weekend.
These two sides have already played each other this year, back in Round 2, and it was the Suns who took home the bacon in a high-scoring affair, recording their first ever win against Fremantle.
Team News
The injury problems that have been straining both of these teams all year continue to bite at them, with players being forced to watch on from the stands on both sides.
For the home team, midfielder Aaron Hall has been ruled out for up to three weeks after a hamstring strain at training on Thursday.
Hall joins Gary Ablett (shoulder), Dion Prestia (knee), Michael Rischitelli (knee), David Swallow (knee) and Jaeger O’Meara (knee) on the sidelines, leaving the Suns midfield harshly weakened.
The Hall injury and Mitch Hallahan being dropped opens the door for Matt Rosa and 19-year old Josh Schoenfeld, making his AFL debut.
For the Dockers, Ross Lyon will be without some of his big names this week, after the injury bug walked through Freo.
Despite a gutsy effort last week that saw him play half the match with a swollen face, Hayden Ballantyne will head in for surgery on a fractured cheekbone that will see him miss a fair chunk of the season remaining, if not all of it.
Similarly, Michael Barlow will go under the knife as well in the coming days, with a shoulder injury likely to keep him sidelined for a while.
Veteran Matthew Pavlich has been rested as the final change to this week’s squad, and he’ll get a chance to play his 350th at home next week.
The aforementioned injuries have made way for an inspirational debut for the Dockers this week, with 27-year old Shane Yarran getting his first game just three years after being released from jail and turning his life around.
Prediction
Both sides are limping towards the finish line with injuries and poor form, but a win here could boost either of them towards a strong run at the back end of the season.
They’re fairly evenly matched coming into this one, but the Suns should just sneak the win with home ground advantage.
Gold Coast to win by 14
Haywood Plegge
Guest
As for the Suns, who have started the year with back-to-back wins, Mundy described them as highly skilled, highly talented athletes that are coming along well.
Don Freo
Guest
Connor, I'd argue that Lynch got 2 gimmes (one from the ump) and the Mickey Mouse tap with the toe on the line that were not skill. I think he also got a goal from that ridiculous free against Taberner at the players' race. Lynch had one good quarter. Dawson totally beat him. On that basis Dawson should be in the votes but, just on 4 goals, Micky Walters was way better than Lynch. Sam Day was better than Lynch. Freo can be very excited about Sam Collins' performance.
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Roar's AFL MVP votes: 3 - Lachie Neale - What a game from Neale in a losing effort. A game high 43 disposals for the day (a mere 15 better than the next best), also leading the way with 25 handballs (10 higher than second), 23 contested possessions (7 better than anyone else), 10 clearances (3 better than second best) and one goal to top it all off. The man was everywhere all day. 2 - Alex Sexton - Sexton flew under the radar a bit today, but it was a real workhorse performance from him. 26 disposals, a team high 22 kicks and a game-high 14 inside 50's, the only man to break double figures. 1 - Tom Lynch - Four goals lead the way during the tight second half, also scooping up 17 disposals in a strong display from the 23-year old, executing his chances and keeping the pressure on the Dockers back line.
Connor Bennett
Editor
A see-sawing affair for most of the game, with both sides going on runs of three or four consecutive goals, before conceding the same moments later. The Suns took the lead once again late in the third term, and never looked back from there, dominating the Dockers through the final quarter to keep the win.
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Siren sounds and the Gold Coast Suns take home the bacon against a Fremantle outfit that really began to slip under late in the game. Sixth win of the year for the Suns while the Dockers fall further behind in 16th spot. Gold Coast 16.9 (105) Fremantle 12.9 (81)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Matera fires off a very hopeful shot from outside 50 on the run. He gets good distance on it, but just sends it through the right gate for a behind. Into the final minute. Gold Coast 16.9 (105) Fremantle 12.9 (81)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' The Suns are once again content to just plug it around the back line, killing time and waiting for the Dockers to bring the fight to them. Gold Coast 16.8 (104) Fremantle 12.9 (81)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GC have bunkered down now, defending this lead with only a couple of men forward as the rest of the troops head to the back in defence. Gold Coast 16.8 (104) Fremantle 12.9 (81)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SUNS!! Jack Martin returns serve for the home side, stretching that lead back out, and surely ending the contest for Freo with just over three minutes left in the game. Nicely finished of by Martin, just 35 metres out and left of centre, getting his side into triple figures. Gold Coast 16.8 (104) Fremantle 12.9 (81)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL DOCKERS!! The fight continues for Freo!! Mick Walters just sneaks the footy through for a vital six points, bringing it back within three kicks with time ticking away. Gold Coast 15.8 (98) Fremantle 12.9 (81)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Five minutes to fo now. Suns walking down the right side of the park, just easing up the pace of the game and holding onto the pill. Gold Coast 15.8 (98) Fremantle 12.7 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Blakely what a mark!!! It wasn't his contest, but he's flown in out of nowhere to nab a ripper mark in front of goal. Aaaaaaand he's missed it. Undid the wonderful mark with a pretty average shot on goal, just hooking it off the right boot into the left gate for a behind. Gold Coast 15.8 (98) Fremantle 12.7 (74)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Oh, free kick given to Freo inside forward 50. GOAL DOCKERS!! They've hit back Fremantle and this contest is still kicking. Very little celebration from the men in white though after Jonathan Griffin hits the free home from a tight angle on the right edge. They need to build on this and go back to back if they want to get back in this fight. Gold Coast 15.8 (98) Fremantle 11.7 (73)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' 31 points the lead now and the Suns have kicked the last five goals, including 12 of the last 15 scoring shots. Freo are looking down and out now. Gold Coast 15.8 (98) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SUNS!! Straight off the centre bounce, and that's three goals in two minutes for the home side. Massive period of play that is just sucking the life out of Freo. Alex Sexton latches onto the footy inside 50, just running in towards goal and hammering it home from right in front. Superb work off the centre bounce to get such quick ball inside 50. Gold Coast 15.8 (98) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SUNS!! And just like that, Tommy Lynch has four!! Two goals one minute apart and this is becoming a very difficult task for the Dockers. Gold Coast 14.8 (92) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' GOAL SUNS!! Tom Lynch gets his hattrick. It was a real wrestle on the mark, he couldn't win it right in front of goal, but the ball is loose on the turf, and he manages to get a toe on it, sending the soccer kick through the sticks for a huge six points. Gold Coast 13.8 (86) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Just two behinds so far in the quarter after 8 minutes of play. It's a real grind for Fremantle, and GC are struggling up front to secure the advantage they're carrying through the midfield. Gold Coast 12.8 (80) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Gold Coast are flying through centre field once again. Day has space to work with and finds Lynch 40 out from goal. Big kick coming up for him now. He's got the distance on it... but it just runs wide to the left. Gold Coast 12.8 (80) Fremantle 10.7 (67)
Connor Bennett
Editor
Q4' Fremantle are just surviving at the moment. The Suns are struggling with the final execution and it's keeping Freo in the contest. Gold Coast 12.7 (79) Fremantle 10.6 (66)