Fremantle have answered their detractors with a show of toughness, grit and determination to keep the flickering hopes of their season still alive.
The match was as close as the scoreline suggested, and it was Fremantle who came out firing in the first quarter, to take a 22-point lead into quarter time.
Adelaide responded as you knew they would, controlling the second term with a six-goals-to-nil showing, and an 11-point lead at half-time.
The third quarter was the quarter that mattered the most, as Fremantle kicked four goals to nil, and took what would turn out to be an insurmountable lead at three-quarter time.
Much was made during the week about the absence of Nat Fyfe, and whether or not the Dockers could limit the damage to be applied by Adelaide, let alone win.
The likes of Connor Blakely, Adam Cerra, Ed Langdon, and Brennan Cox (who gave a best on ground performance) stepped out of the great Fyfe’s shadow to lead the team around the park, and ultimately to victory.
Michael Walters was at his enigmatic best, coming in and out of the contest, and while getting heavily involved in scoring, late in the game he gave away what at other times might have been a game-turning free with a stomach punch, and then to make matters worse, a 50m free kick for remonstrating. He was placed on report and taken from the field by Ross Lyon.
Walters sat and watched on nervously as Adelaide pressed for a win, and while Myles Poholke kicked a goal after the siren, Fremantle managed to steal a win that their performance deserved.
For the Crows, Bryce Gibbs was a standout, the team always looking stronger when he was on the field, while Sam Gibson played strongly.
Eddie Betts had a lively game, though he will look back on his wastefulness in the fourth quarter, and know that he could have done more.
So each team will travel to Melbourne next weekend with differing confidence levels. Fremantle will like their chances against Carlton, while Adelaide must now pull themselves together for a daunting journey to the MCG to face Hawthorn, for Shaun Burgoyne’s 350th.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
As an aside, I’ve got to say, while I’m not all that appreciative of the introduction of the aged and decrepitly avaricious mug of Trump into these forums for me to look at, I commend anon for choosing an avatar that so closely aligns in spirit his relationship to facts and shares a seemingly insatiable desire for infantilism and attention seeking.
johno
Guest
Of the 13 players under 50 games who played for Freo on the weekend how many have actually been available for 50 games? I think I answered this for you before. I think it is about 3 - Blakely, Tucker (maybe just now) and maybe Langdon (although not sure due to his injuries) the rest haven't even had 50 games that they could have been selected for - Giro, Jones, Pearce and Apeness due to injruy, Banfield, Brayshaw, Cerra, Ryan, Cox, Nyhuis Others who haven't been at Freo for 50 games are Logue and Darcy ... should thay have plaeyd 50?
Jon Boy
Guest
Your right Trump ,would love to see Walters come back and stop playing for easy kicks, the umpires woke up to that a long time ago.He is a brilliant player does not have to do it.
Don Freo
Guest
Why? They are being left at Peel despite the fact Freo has 9 best 22 out. No itch there. You make no point...as always.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The reality, as always, says otherwise. The game is obviously different on your planet. Are you still watching the 2012 season?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Haven't watched Apeness over the past 2 weeks? Unaware that he is not primarily a ruckman?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Who thought Freo couldn't win without Sandi?
anon
Roar Pro
Rossy will be itching to bring them back is my point.
Jon Boy
Guest
People that thought Freo could not win without Sandilands have egg on there face. Overated, time to do the right thing and stand down make way for more youth.Darcy playing for peel this Saturday.
Jon Boy
Guest
Apeness is only backup for now till Darcy returns and Taberner. Strnadica and Dixon will pass Apeness before season ends as well.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You don't think playing 16 players with under 50 games experience is enough? 8 with under 15 games? It is clear you are guessing.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
How on earth did Freo "prove" Sandilands wasn't needed? If he plays, Apeness is free to support Cox up forward, which releases Mundy to the ball and supports Neale. This, in turn, releases Sunny forward. You have no idea and demonstrate it more with each post. Jones better than Sandi? My goodness! Those clubs were not "ruthless" with those players. They were at their end. Sandi has 2, maybe 3 or more years in him. Johnno will go at the end of this year, now that it is clear he is dropping off. His experience at Peel, however is essential in bringing through our range of talls. You seem to think Johnno is playing AFL. Just strange.
Jon Boy
Guest
Don Freo seems to be the only one that thinks Ballantyne should be in the side .Crowden and McCarthy have to play before him, i reckon he is gone this week, hope fully stay at Peel till contract expires.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You seem to be claiming insanity for something that isn't happening. For your information, Johnson...and Pearce...are playing at Peel. You have never really been able to read team lists, have you?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"I’m absolutely baffled..." That is your constant state of mind.
anon
Roar Pro
I'm absolutely baffled by the logic of bringing back guys who have only half a season left in their careers and are barely in the best 18. 2.5 years into a rebuild and still stuffing around with old guys like Ballantyne and Daniel Pearce. There's a reason Fremantle have so many players under 50 games. The coach won't commit to playing them.
anon
Roar Pro
You say that Fremantle had their most inexperienced line up since 2003, but they went 14-8 that year. And the weekend proved that Johnson and Sandilands aren't really needed (Ballantyne didn't do much either). In order to give young players experience you actually have to play them otherwise they'll still be sitting on under 50 games 2 years from now. It's why Geelong were ruthless with guys like Bartel, North ruthless with Harvey (who was their best small forward), West Coast ruthless with Priddis.
anon
Roar Pro
The reality is Fremantle were lucky to be in the match against West Coast and North. At half time of both game both teams had a significant inside 50's advantage over Fremantle but wasted their chances.
johno
Guest
Johnson is out anyway Just think we do need some experience down back and Pearce is a big loss. This week OUT: Walters, Ballas, Pearce IN: Fyfe, Duman, Crowden As far as experience go - against the Pies we had our most inexperienced team since 2003 Changes since over the 2 weeks is likely to be OUT: Walters, Pearce, McCarthy IN: Crowden, Matera, Nyhuis So by my calcs we'll be even less experienced this week if these are the only changes between the Pies and Blues teams
anon
Roar Pro
Why would you bring back Johnson? The guy should have been retired at the end of last year. He was still getting games as of two weeks ago 2.5 years into a rebuild. It's insanity. What do you possibly game from pumping another half a dozen games into him.