The Fremantle Dockers have capped off Matthew Pavlich’s career with a 20-point win over the Western Bulldogs in the final match of the home-and-away season.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Fremantle Dockers 10.9.69
Western Bulldogs 6.13.49
The Fremantle Dockers will be looking for an upset win when they host the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium on Sunday Afternoon. To follow all of the action be sure to join us on The Roar from 4:40pm (AEST).
Coming off a minor premiership in 2015, the Fremantle Dockers have had a season to forget in 2016 and they sit in 16th on the ladder heading into Round 23.
A season that promised so much for the Dockers has delivered so little as Ross Lyon’s men have struggled to find their feet in 2016 as a result of injuries and poor form.
The loss of the reigning Brownlow Medallist would hurt any team and it has been no different for Fremantle after they lost Nat Fyfe to a broken leg earlier in the season.
Admitting they need to rebuild, the Dockers have given plenty of their young players a chance so expect them to be looking to impress this week against one of the top teams.
If anything, the Western Bulldogs have shown in 2016 that they have great depth and a never say die attitude.
Having been smashed by injuries this season it would have been easy to forgive the Bulldogs if they slipped out of the top eight but they have shown their class by qualifying for finals.
Sitting in seventh spot with just one game left, the Bulldogs are only a game behind the top four and they will know that if they can win this game and their opponents slip up, then they will at least be hosting a final.
They will be hoping to welcome back at least some players from their lengthy injury list this week as they look to build some good form heading into the finals.
While Fremantle will go in as underdogs, expect the occasion of Matthew Pavlich’s last game to give the Dockers plenty of motivation as they look to send their former captain out a winner.
An important area the Bulldogs need to get right heading into the finals is the structure of their forward line with the likes of Tom Boyd, Tory Dickson and Jake Stringer if he comes back into the side.
This game will also be one last audition for a number of Fremantle players as the club will be looking to be proactive over the off season to rebuild for 2017 and beyond.
Prediction
The Bulldogs should win this game, the only question is by how much.
Bulldogs by 40 points.
Can Fremantle cause a huge upset or will the Bulldogs keep building momentum towards the finals? Join us on The Roar from 4:40pm (AEST) to find out.
johno
Guest
Yep - Yarran a better forward now than Ballantyne. With a full pre-season under his belt he should really shine in 2017 Now just need Apeness to get some kms into his legs, McCarthy to come back, Mayne to be traded to Norths and Walters to get back into the forward line and stop being a mid fielder
Macca
Guest
Strange Mattyb comments on the blues thread but nothing post game here?
me too
Guest
Great to see them send off Pav with a win. I actually tipped Freo to win this, but had my doubts when the doggies ran onto the field knowing the hawks were in real trouble against collingwood. Suddenly a big win and they're hosting a final. But rather than emulate sydney or geelong, they channeled richmond and melbourne. insipid.
Widget
Roar Guru
If they get everyone fit, plus if they get a pick for Mayne then they can use that in a trade for Brad Hill. Then if they can land MCarthy as well. Plus anything they might get for Balkantyne or any other trades they have planned.
13th man
Guest
Did you notice the quiet hugs for Ballantyne, Mayne and De Boer...... looks like it's confirmed that they'll be going..... Shane Yarran I think has overtaken Ballaz now.... looking forward to a big pre season for him!! I do hope they keep Ibbotson and Barlow though Hopefully that was the last game Dawson will ever play for the club
Balthazar
Guest
So pleased the team could lift for Pav after such an awful season. I agree with you - this win gives hope that they can rebound strongly if a few players (Fyfe, Johnson, A Pearce) can recover from injuries well and with promising forwards Apeness and Yarran having their first full pre-season What I particularly liked is the efforts from young players like Neale, Lachie Weller and Darcy Tucker. Will be interesting to see who lines up for Freo in 2017 - reckon it won't look much like this team As for Pav, I miss him already...
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Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Votes: 3 Garrick Ibbotson This man was a standout across halfback all day with 29 disposals, 14 marks, two tackles and five rebound 50s. 2 Lachie Neale Lachie Neale set the new record for most disposals by an individual in a minor round season as he tallied 36 disposals, one goal, and 10 clearances on the day. 1 Stephen Hill Stephen Hill was at his silky smooth best today with 30 touches at 83% efficiency, one goal, one goal assist, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s.
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Roar Guru
Wow, hard to say I expected that result today but full credit to the Dockers. A cracking four quarter performance as they send Pav out a winner in his last game. What did you think of that game? Where was it won and lost? Who were the best players? That game wraps up the 2016 minor rounds. Make sure you keep an eye on The Roar in the build up to a big finals campaign. Thanks for joining me today, stay tuned for my match summary and votes.
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Roar Guru
BEHIND Bulldogs Picken has a shot on the run in the pocket. FULL TIME Dockers 69 Bulldogs 49
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Inside 2 minutes left. Bulldogs still scoreless this quarter. 1:33 to go Q4. Dockers 69 Bulldogs 48
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BEHIND DOCKERS The Dockers go inside 50 with a scramble kick and Pavlich reads it best and marks. From 40 out on a slight angle he misses to the right. 4:08 to go Q4. Dockers 69 Bulldogs 48
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BEHIND DOCKERS Pavlich finds space to mark inside 50 in the left pocket. The retiring superstar misses to the left. 5:31 to go Q4. Dockers 68 Bulldogs 48
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GOAL DOCKERS Tucker finds Yarran who marks out the back. He goes back from 30 out directly in front and makes no mistake. 8:21 to go Q4. Dockers 67 Bulldogs 48
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BEHIND DOCKERS Ballantyne wins a free kick for a push. He goes back from 50 on the angle and misses just to the right. 11:42 to go Q4. Dockers 61 Bulldogs 48
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6 inside 50 to none this term in favour of freo. 13:04 to go Q4. Dockers 60 Bulldogs 48
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
4:12 is not a good look
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Roar Guru
BEHIND DOCKERS Ballantyne hits Pavlich lace out with a bullet pass. He goes back and misses to the right from 50. 14:34 to go Q4. Dockers 60 Bulldogs 48
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Dunkley 13 tackles. 15:06 to go Q4. Dockers 59 Bulldogs 48
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BEHIND DOCKERS Walters somehow sneaks a dribble through a pack but it hits the post. 18:06 to go Q4. Dockers 59 Bulldogs 48
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BEHIND DOCKERS Ballantyne wins a free kick deep in the left pocket. He runs around but misses. 19:06 to go Q4. Dockers 58 Bulldogs 48