Fremantle Dockers vs Sydney Swans: AFL match result, highlights

Match result:

There won’t be too many copies of the tape getting sold, but the Fremantle Dockers have come out triumphant in a close-fought and low-scoring match with the Sydney Swans.

Final score
Fremante Dockers 7.10.52
Sydney Swans 7.9.51

Match preview:

Saturday night football sees 13th facing off against 14th, and it is the Fremantle Dockers hosting the Sydney Swans, live from Optus Stadium in Perth. Join The Roar from 8:10pm (AEST) for live scores and blog of the game.

So how did it come to this for Freo?

Flying high and entrenched, seemingly, in the top eight, yet after four straight losses, their season is apparently over, now two wins out of the finals race, and needing results to go very much their way.

Aside from one competitive quarter against the Hawks last week, Fremantle were not really in that contest, and the large part of that competitiveness came from one N Fyfe, who is injured for this clash.

Ross Lyon did an excellent job of deflecting attention away from himself during the week, in particular straight after last week’s game when he highlighted what he deemed to be unfair off the ball treatment of Fyfe.

However, a fifth loss here may make such a diversion near impossible for the master tactician.

A lot will rest on the shoulders of Brad Hill, who is in career best form this season, and Lyon will also be hoping that the addition of Aaron Sandilands will provide a little bit of experience to help end the losing rot.

Meanwhile, Sydney might have accepted their fate that the season is over, sitting a further game behind Fremantle on the ladder.

Losing to Carlton last week would have been a surprise, although at the minute losing to the Blues is nothing to be overly ashamed about, as they continue to play with flair and not a care in the world.

Also, the long-term securing of John Longmire will be giving the club some impetus into next season, so a failure to miss finals this season is not the disaster it might be for some clubs.

Tom Papley has been the major spark for energy for the Swans in recent times, and if he can go into the game with a rocket lit under him, then the Swans will like their chances of taking out a wounded opponent.

The Swans have dined out on the Dockers in recent times, thumping them in each of the last three seasons.

Prediction
13th vs 14th, one of whom is on a four-game losing streak, it is a tough one to call. Ultimately, you would think that Fremantle have to win one eventually, and being at home against a team below them, surely they will get the job done here.

Fremantle by 1.

When: Saturday, 20 July 2019, at 8:10 pm (AEST)
Where: Optus Stadium, Perth
TV: Foxtel, Kayo, AFL Live Pass
Betting: Dockers $1.82, Swans $2.00

Fremantle Dockers
B Nathan Wilson, Joel Hamling, Luke Ryan
HB Connor Blakely, Taylin Duman, Ethan Hughes
C Bradley Hill, Reece Conca, Ed Langdon
HF Darcy Tucker, Michael Walters, Sam Switkowski
F Brandon Matera, Rory Lobb, Cam McCarthy
FOL Aaron Sandilands, Adam Cerra, David Mundy
I/C Griffin Logue, Andrew Brayshaw, Brett Bewley, Sean Darcy

Sydney Swans
B Lewis Melican, Dane Rampe, Colin O’Riordan
HB Callum Mills, Tom McCartin, Jake Lloyd
C Zak Jones, Luke Parker, George Hewett
HF Robbie Fox, Sam Reid, Oliver Florent
F Will Hayward, Nick Blakey, Tom Papley
FOL Aliir Aliir, Josh P. Kennedy, Isaac Heeney
I/C Hayden McLean, James Rowbottom, Ryan Clarke, Ryley Stoddart