Fremantle
95
Match Complete
Geelong Cats
61
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| S. Switkowski |  | 30:20 | ||
| D. Mundy |  | 28:30 | ||
| 23:25 | | C. Guthrie | ||
| B. Matera | | 21:06 | ||
| T. Duman | | 19:54 | ||
| 18:33 | | J. Bews | ||
| E. Langdon | | 14:09 | ||
| E. Langdon | | 10:37 | ||
| B. Matera | | 8:25 | ||
| D. Mundy | | 5:38 | ||
| 9.8 (62) | Third Quarter [+] | 8.6 (54) | ||
| N. Fyfe | | 28:00 | ||
| B. Matera | | 26:28 | ||
| 14:22 | | T. Kelly | ||
| M. Walters | | 11:37 | ||
| N. Fyfe | | 9:32 | ||
| 7:09 | | E. Ratugolea | ||
| 5:29 | | G. Rohan | ||
| 3:27 | | T. Kelly | ||
| 6.7 (43) | Second Quarter [+] | 6.4 (40) | ||
| S. Darcy | | 28:04 | ||
| M. Crowden | | 26:34 | ||
| L. Schultz | | 25:09 | ||
| N. Fyfe | | 24:12 | ||
| 20:29 | | P. Dangerfield | ||
| 16:50 | | S. Selwood | ||
| B. Banfield | | 15:33 | ||
| Rushed | | 14:30 | ||
| 8:48 | | G. Ablett | ||
| 7:01 | | G. Ablett | ||
| M. Crowden | | 2:46 | ||
| 2.4 (16) | First Quarter [+] | 5.1 (31) | ||
| M. Walters | | 30:57 | ||
| 28:20 | | T. Hawkins | ||
| 25:42 | | C. Guthrie | ||
| A. Brayshaw | | 24:29 | ||
| 23:07 | | J. Clark | ||
| B. Matera | | 21:25 | ||
| B. Matera | | 19:05 | ||
| 16:44 | | P. Dangerfield | ||
| 11:09 | | T. Hawkins | ||
| E. Langdon | | 7:26 | ||
| S. Darcy | | 6:19 | ||
| 3:10 | | T. Hawkins | ||
Match result:
The Fremantle Dockers have produced one of the upsets of the season with a 34-point victory over the ladder leading Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium in Perth.
The afternoon started in predictable fashion for Geelong and Tom Hawkins had three goals before the siren sounded for the first change. The Dockers were competitive, yet failed to capitalise on their opportunities.
That pattern continued in the second quarter, yet a fightback saw the home side take a slender lead into the sheds at the long break after a late flurry of goals stunned the visitors and brought the Perth fans to their feet.
The heavens opened during the long break and the nature of the game changed. It was to become something of a grind and unfortunately for the Cats, the Dockers were more prepared to do the dirty work.
A three-point half time lead became eight at three-quarter time and the Dockers looked determined to repel anything the Cats managed to throw at them.
The final term saw David Mundy become the hero after a less than impressive afternoon where he found the ball difficult to locate.
He scored two goals, set up another and become the difference as the Dockers skipped away and put the Cats to the sword.
Final score
Fremantle Dockers 14.10.95
Geelong Cats 9.7.61
Match preview:
The Fremantle Dockers and the Geelong Cats meet at Optus Stadium in Round 20 AFL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:35pm (AEST).
Having lost five of their last six matches, the Fremantle Dockers have reached the end of the road when it comes to last chances and simply must win against the Cats today to have any chance at all of playing finals football.
If smoke does indicate fire, then Ross Lyon may have indeed had a rethink about his future at the club and the board must be extremely disappointed in the recent style of play that the team has produced, after showing such promise earlier in the season.
It appeared the Dockers had finally thrown off the shackles and opened up in attack yet the last two months have hinted that once under pressure, the usual Lyon conservatism kicks in and the purple haze retreats well and truly back into its shell.
Having swung the axe during the week and dropped Hayden Ballantyne and Brett Bewley, Lyon’s men will also take to the field without the injured Rory Lobb; another blow in a vital clash against the Cats.
Geelong welcomes back Zach Tuohy and Gary Rohan yet lose the services of Harry Taylor for this match, with the veteran remaining at home and enjoying a managed weekend.
The Cats got back on track in Round 19 after a wobbly month, with a solid win against Sydney at the cattery and will look to secure another valuable four points today.
It could be a vital bag of points in their attempt to secure the top rung on the ladder heading into the finals.
With percentage giving them an effective two-game lead at the top, a win today goes a long way towards securing that position.
Hence, this looms as something of a danger game against a Dockers side looking to produce the upset and keep themselves in the desperate chase for eighth position.
Prediction
Form and momentum mean everything heading into the finals and Chris Scott will have demanded a strong performance from the Cats today; knowing full well the ramifications of a loss.
In terms of momentum, the Dockers have none and it is hard to see them mustering any against the quality that Geelong oppose them with across the park.
Cats by 4 goals
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 4:35pm (AEST).
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
When: Saturday 3rd August 2019, 4:35pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Footy, Kayo Sport, AFL app
Betting: Fremantle Dockers $3.25 Geelong Cats $1.33
Fremantle
B: Duman, Hamling, Blakely
HB: Hughes, Logue, Cerra
C: B. Hill, Fyfe, Langdon
HF: Banfield, Walters, Crowden
F: Brayshaw, Darcy, Matera
FOLL: Sandilands, Conca, Mundy
I/C: Carter, Switkowski, Tucker, Schultz
Geelong
B: Henry, Blicavs, Kolodjashnij
HB: O’Connor, Tuohy, Stewart
C: Clark, Dangerfield, S. Selwood
HF: Ablett, Ratugolea, Duncan
F: Rohan, Hawkins, Atkins
FOLL: Smith, J. Selwood, Kelly
I/C: Miers, Bews, C. Guthrie, Dahlhaus
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
No coach could have engineered what Ross did yesterday. Everyone extending contracts, every player affirming what Ross offers, Bell and Rosich both confirming Ross will continue in the role, players laying down everything for him, dismantling of 4 top sides...but you don't like him. You've been watching too much of Little Britain.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
In fairness, the Melbourne loss wasn't too bad upon reflection - they're a good side when they play well, and we'd lost two earlier in the game. The Gold Coast loss is infuriating but understandable - the Suns weren't too bad earlier in the season. We should have beaten them, and I'm frustrated we weren't able to back up the North game a week prior, but what can you do? That Carlton loss still annoys me though.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yes he should still be sacked. This win just shows the potential that the list has and can have but under Ross they haven't performed well enough consistently enough. The great wins they have had this year against GWS, Geelong and Collingwood have been cancelled out by dreadful losses against Gold Coast, Carlton and Melbourne
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Not been silent, I have commented. Great win from the boys. Doesn't change my position on Ross at all.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It’s been crazy at work. Cats have never been the best against the lower teams over the past few years. Just look at the teams they’ve lost to already that won’t be playing finals vs the ones that will.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Cat's fine. Anyone surprised at the silence from 13th Man?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Impressive win and I must admit very surprising but it just shows that the boys have talent, the consistency just isn't there. A weird form line where this season Freo has had wins against Geelong, Collingwood, GWS and Brisbane but have lost to Gold Coast, Carlton, Melbourne and the Doggies. Must say I can't see Geelong winning the flag, they remind me of Freo 2015, came flying out of the blocks but have run out of puff and teams have worked them out... I forsee a straight sets finals exit.
Raimond
Roar Guru
no guarantee for top spot now
anon
Roar Pro
He’s a coach that can’t evolve and can’t prepare a side properly. This win shows that he has the players at his disposal but he’s not getting the best out of them.
Batca
Roar Rookie
Still sack Ross?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Oh, hi there. You've been missing for a while. I must say that I'm not too mad that your boys chose today to get a little complacent. :)
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Dr Disnick,welcome back. Your shifts must have got better. The Cats are doing a Port, not a good thing. They'd better not bring that attitude if they want success this season
Klompy
Guest
Maybe they did sack Ross. But we will never know now.
Mark.
Roar Rookie
Don Freo vs Cat in a cage match. Fight!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Easy there big fella!
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
Not sure where these Dockers have been all season, but that is the hardest I've seen them go for the ball this year. Cracking good game; when they play like this, they can trouble most teams.
Downsey
Roar Pro
#bestcommentever
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
Geelong sputtering to the close of the season. Can’t be doing their confidence any good at all. Opposition have sussed them out? Cats getting over confident?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Fremantle Dockers have produced one of the upsets of the season with a 34 point victory over the ladder leading Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium in Perth. The afternoon started in predictable fashion for Geelong and Tom Hawkins had three goals before the siren sounded for the first change. The Dockers were competitive, yet failed to capitalise on their opportunities. That pattern continued in the second quarter, yet a fightback saw the home side take a slender lead into the sheds at the long break after a late flurry of goals stunned the visitors and brought the Perth fans to their feet. The heavens opened during the long break and the nature of the game changed. It was to become something of a grind and unfortunately for the Cats, the Dockers were more prepared to do the dirty work. A three point half time lead became eight at three-quarter time and the Dockers looked determined to repel anything the Cats managed to throw at them. The final term saw David Mundy become the hero after a less than impressive afternoon where he found the ball difficult to locate. He scored two goals, set up another and become the difference as the Dockers skipped away and put the Cats to the sword. Who said Ross Lyon was in danger of losing his gig in the west? Who suggested the Dockers' finals' hopes were dead and buried? More importantly, where in the world are the Cats right now, as their season appears to be slipping dangerously away? Well played to the Dockers and well coached Mr Lyon. As for the Cats, I think they might be done for season 2019, despite all the huff and puff of the first three months of the season. Final Score Fremantle……………….14..10…95 Geelong…………………9..7…61
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Another classic: “Chris... we’re sitting top by a game & percentage and cannot be bothered with this non-finals side.” Please bring on a top 8 team so my boys can show some application and play football again.