Premiership favourites Fremantle have bounced back from a goalless first half to overcome nearest rival Sydney in a Thursday night blockbuster at Optus Stadium.
The AFL ladder leaders recorded 11 behinds before finally kicking their first major early in the third term, riding the most extraordinary wave to claim a barnstorming 15.21 (111) to 10.13 (73) victory over the Swans.
Josh Treacy finished with four goals to lead the Dockers, who could hardly stop Sydney’s Charlie Curnow (five goals) at the other end but otherwise kept the visitors quiet — especially in the second half.
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“This has just been an onslaught — seven goals four (behinds) in this last quarter,” Luke Hodge said in commentary on Channel 7.
“Everything the Swans threw at Fremantle early they’re getting it back tenfold.”
Brian Taylor said: “They are just unstoppable. It has just been absolutely unbelievable.”
The performance, coming just five days after having their long winning streak ended in a shock loss to GWS, reiterated Fremantle’s standing as the team to beat in September.
“Good luck if you want to come here and win a qualifying final or preliminary final in front of this crowd,” Kane Cornes said.
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce surprisingly claimed “not much changed” for the side after half-time.
“We spoke a lot about just having the trust in each other and the freedom to keep playing our way,” he said.
“We weren’t getting reward for our effort, we missed a few goals, a bit scrappy.
“As the game opens up we get a few more looks and we did it. I’m so proud of everyone.”
Sydney’s Nick Blakey said he was disappointed by the last-quarter fadeout and could only tip his cap to Fremantle.
“We didn’t quite go with them. Far out, some of our players in the first half, our pressure was unreal,” he said.
“We just let ourselves down in the last, pretty flat.”
More to come…
