Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers: AFL match result, highlights

Match result:

The Western Bulldogs have finished off the Fremantle Dockers’ season, an Ed Langdon behind with three seconds left leaving the final scoreline giving the Bulldogs a 47-point victory, 16.17 (113) to 9.12 (66).

Fremantle were never in it to be honest, despite sticking with the Dogs early.

Once the Dogs got their second two-goal lead of the game, they took off from there.

The loss of Dale Morris to yet another re-injuring of his knee will be tempered not only by the win but also the start of the latest West career at the club of the sons of the west.

Players somewhat sombre for Morris, it has to be said.

A thorough and comprehensive win for Bevo’s men.

The biggest question to come out of this though will be how Ross Lyon deflects attention away from his coaching after this horrible loss.

The standout for the Dockers was Andrew Brayshaw, with 26 disposals and 3 goals. Nat Fyfe was his usual high output self, but you never felt like he troubled the home side.

Final score
Western Bulldogs 16.17.113
Fremantle Dockers 9.12.66

Match preview:

In the mad dash race for finals spots, we go to Marvel Stadium to see the Western Bulldogs, who are desperate to keep their season alive, hosting the Fremantle Dockers, fresh off their last start, last-gasp, win over Sydney. Join The Roar from 1:10pm (AEST) for live scores and blog of the game.

In a lot of ways, the Bulldogs this week find themselves in the position Fremantle did last week: a season of promise seemingly lost, with a crunch match against an equally desperate opponent.

The signs were so good for the Dogs to kick off the season, and another tilt at the finals since their 2016 premiership appeared firmly on the cards.

However, long is the season, and with four rounds remaining after this clash, if those faint hopes of September action are to remain even still a glimmer, a win over Fremantle is mandatory.

The Dogs were indeed unlucky last week against the Saints, in that coming up against a fired-up bunch of players with a new coach at the helm, historically and anecdotally, usually means that the newly coached players will take it out on their opponents.

Today, there really can be no excuses for Luke Beveridge and his men. They simply must win.

The Dogs will be blooding a new debutant, Rhylee West, who if you follow social media this week, you will understand will be hoping that the bird in his hands is alive come the game’s end.

As for the Dockers, themselves in an almost literal dogfight for finals action, what do you make of their form coming into this game?

Sure, they got the four match points from their Swans game, but did the Dockers win that, or did Sydney just not do enough to win?

There’s a certain Jekyll and Hyde element about the Dockers.

They have the second worst attack in the comp, with only the lowly Suns worse, but interestingly, the Dockers’ defence is sensational, holding onto the fourth best defensive record in the league.

So the Dockers are a classic Ross Lyon coached team.

But the final question will be: will that mix be enough to grab the points against the Bulldogs today?

The Dockers have managed to win their last 4 match ups against the Dogs, although all those wins were in Perth, and the last time Fremantle played the Bulldogs in Melbourne, the Dogs absolutely towelled them up.

Prediction
Bulldogs have more to play for, and the Dockers are hardly in form, so it should be a cheery winter’s afternoon for the sons of the west.

Western Bulldogs by 31.

Join The Roar from 1:10pm (AEST) for live scores and blog of the game, and don’t forget to leave a comment in the comments section below.

When: Sunday, 28 July 2019
Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
TV: Fox footy, Kayo, AFL game pass
Betting: Bulldogs $1.50, Dockers $2.60

Western Bulldogs
B Dale Morris, Jackson Trengove, Hayden Crozier
HB Caleb Daniel, Zaine Cordy, Easton Wood
C Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore, Jason Johannisen
HF Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd
F Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson
FOL Tim English, Josh Dunkley, Jack Macrae
I/C Rhylee West, Taylor Duryea, Ed Richards, Patrick Lipinski

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