Fremantle’s miserable week has continued with a 77-point thrashing from Richmond at the MCG despite a heroic effort from skipper Nat Fyfe.
Held to just one goal during a dismal first half on Sunday, the Dockers dominated the third quarter but were steamrolled late on the way to a 15.20 (110) to 4.9 (33) defeat.
A bullocking Fyfe had 33 disposals, 12 clearances and even contributed in the ruck with seven hitouts but had far too little support with Lachie Neale (35 disposals) the only other major contributor as Fremantle posted their lowest MCG score.
The victory extended Richmond’s winning streak at the MCG to 13 games and secured the reigning premiers’ spot on top of the AFL ladder.
Richmond lost skipper Trent Cotchin before the game to a lingering knee injury, while fellow onballer Dion Prestia succumbed to a calf issue during the third quarter.
The Dockers trailed by 44 points at halftime but surged to life after the break, cutting the margin to 25 points and becoming the first team since Greater Western Sydney in round 18 last year to hold the Tigers goalless in a quarter.
But the AFL’s best fourth-quarter team stayed true to form, closing out the game with eight unanswered goals to improve their record to six wins and one loss.
Fremantle’s fourth defeat for the season capped off a week dominated by a sexual harassment scandal involving coach Ross Lyon.
Lyon allegedly made an inappropriate comment to a junior staff member several years ago at the club’s Christmas function.
It’s been reported the alleged victim had been paid a five-figure amount, as part of a settlement, and that a non-disclosure agreement had been signed.
Regardless of whether the off-field issues affected the Dockers, their first half was woeful.
The Dockers laid just four tackles during the first quarter – an equal-low for any team in a quarter this season and the lowest ever under a Lyon-coached side.
In contrast, the Tigers had 23 tackles for the quarter shared among 14 players.
Kane Lambert (25 disposals, two goals) and defender Dylan Grimes were among Richmond’s best, while Dustin Martin was prolific but booted 0.4.
13th Man
Guest
I wouldn't drop Hill just yet but he should certainly be put on notice. Personally i'm not a fan of him playing at half back, rather see him play on the wing again!
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Copy&Paste-o-rama from the anon shell. Most refuted previously. To recap: All teams have an experienced core. North are consistently fielding a side with an average age in the high 24's to mid-25's (even LDU is playing in the VFL). Freo's average age yesterday was 23.68. The Hawks have been fielding one of if not the oldest side all year. As soon as they dipped below a 25 average age they got pumped by North. Freo are averaging over 100 points in their victories. When they get their system going the score fairly freely, especially given the low scores across the league this year. The point you made yourself, teams get pumped, but come back from that unscathed relatively quickly.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
If they managed to find a way to play 2018 Richmond, that 2016 Sydney was very impressive indeed.
User
Roar Rookie
Only stat that counts is 15wins from 51 games, not pretty reading.
jonboy
Guest
Sorry jonno it wasn't meant for you.
jonboy
Guest
Yeah Don , really cracked up. I cannot believe you can play a whole game and not lay one tackle. i suppose you could though ? Lazy or not having a red hot go or "just cannot find them. '''?
anon
Roar Pro
Sydney debuted 7 players in 2016 and made the Grand Final. Fremantle have a very experienced core with the best player in the league heading it up.
anon
Roar Pro
Fremantle has an experienced core. An incredible midfield. Hamling, Wilson, Pearce, Stephen Hill off half back makes a strong defence. Forward line is dysfunctional as it has been throughout Lyon’s tenure at Fremantle. But that’s more of a function of playing a 5 man forward line and having forwards press in defence too far up the ground. Doesn’t matter who you have in that forward line. When Fremantle do turn it over the can’t capitalise because there are no forwards up the ground. North Melbourne has a lot of young players, were penciled in for the wooden spoon, yet playing competitive football each week. Hawthorn has turned over their list in the past two years yet play competitive football. Even implemented a completely different game plan successfully. Richmond were beaten by 20 goals in the final round of 2016. Hardwick was forced to let go of the reigns, Caracalla came in as the ‘brains’ of the operation and presto they have changed their game plan, it’s an identifiable game plan, play cohesive football, all of a sudden have great skills (Richmond were awful for years), and have a premiership to boot. So it can be done. For whatever reason Lyon cannot get it done. Lyon said he’d have no excuse to not have a premiership by 2020. He has the best player in the league, Neale is one of the biggest possession accumulators in the league, Sandilands dominates hit outs, Stephen Hill, Mundy, Walters, got McCarthy, Brad Hill, Hamling, Wilson for effectively nothing. No excuses for Lyon. Clarko wouldn’t be getting pumped by 80 points with that list of players (and routinely smashed by teams since 2016).
Don Freo
Guest
Why not read the comments before you challenge them. Just so thick!
Don Freo
Guest
It’s obvious you’d laugh at that. You certainly share the lack of knowledge about Freo that Anthony Hudson demonstrates. Not one comment from him about Sandi’s immaculate ruck work. We certainly know you don’t see that. You seem to want him playing as a rover.
jonboy
Guest
Right 6x6 but i will keep plugging away,the tide will turn.........
jonboy
Guest
Freo 44 clearances tigers 22 it is hard to believe you would get beaten by 87 points kicking 4 goals for a game. Only 2 by permanent forwards, it is not all about pace and youth it is about the forward line players.Walters unfortunately is the only player capable of kicking more than one goal a game or kicking 3-4 in a game.
Don Freo
Guest
This is going to be a delight watching the pointing fingers of JonBoy and 13th gradually withdraw as Freo finds its spot. #3of the top 5 sides now gone, great learning experiences, another week closer to having personnel back (I think Logue is close to WAFL again). 13th will quietly come back. JonBoy will probably be committed as a result of apoplexy.
Don Freo
Guest
Sandi is on AA ruckman pace.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yuuup. If we were getting BHill back, I could maybe somewhat contemplate resting SHill, but I honestly cannot believe resting one of our best midfielders (regardless of current form) would benefit the squad in any substantial way.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
@dkmaf Great comment, thanks for that. Thoroughly enjoyed hearing the more technical side of yesterday's game. Not something I have a good grasp on, so cheers. @jonboy What you're doing there is nitpicking facts to suit your argument. Ballantyne had two tackles, sure, but he also was our highest scorer. That's always good. Sandilands had no tackles, but comfortably won hit-outs. That assisted Freo to get on top of the clearances. Tackles aren't an indication of a bad performance, because there's many other factors. Of course, seeing the younger players pick up the slack (so to speak) is encouraging, and it would be wrong to completely dismiss you. But on them being 'doomed', I feel as if the writing was on the wall headed into the game (especially given the major outs Freo had) and as dkmaf explains, Richmond's game plan and their form was always going to it difficult for our boys.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
SHill had a very limited preseason which does make it hard to consistently produce your best through the season. He had a very good game against GWS just a few weeks back though and really was Freo's best on ground. I don't know if resting him is the right rein to pull, I reckon honing his rhythm and fitness at AFL level would be the way to go for a while yet. Particularly when we are tested for experience and our pace options have been hobbled by BHill's absence.
jonboy
Guest
Tackles Old Guys -S.Hill Zero Sandi Zero Mundy One ballantyne Two New Guys Cerra Six Brayshaw Six - Banfield Two- Crowden Two Gives you a indication who is Slow and who is more committed .The young ones were not ''Doomed'' at all
johno
Guest
If you can show where I blamed injuries please enlighten me. I called it as I saw it - Freo are good at home and poor away. Admittedly we've played some poor teams at home - Gold Coast, Essendon, Doggies. West Coast snuck home by 8 points after a poor error riddled effort by Freo. Freo will beat the Saints and sit there at 4-4 and people here are calling fro Lyons head or sacking half the team. Get real
johno
Guest
GWS were missing half their side on the weekend. Deledio, Kelly, Greene, Lobb, Cameron, Kennedy, Scully, Williams are all walk up starts