MELBOURNE 6.4 8.6 12.7 12.11 (83)
FREMANTLE 3.2 6.5 11.6 18.9 (117)
Fremantle overcame a slow start to steamroll a wounded Melbourne team in the last quarter for their third win in Melbourne this season.
After trailing all day the Dockers kicked the last nine goals of the game, seven of which came in an impressive final quarter. This was complimented by the great defensive effort to keep the Dees goalless in the last.
Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters and Michael Barlow were all able to add two goals each during the period of dominance. The Dockers controlled the clearances in the last quarter allowing them to lock the ball in their forward half, allowing Fremantle plenty of opportunity to hit the scoreboard.
Melbourne will be disappointed despite their valiant effort. After Sam Blease burnt Matthew de Boer and kicked a magnificent goal to extend the lead to 20 points with five minutes left in the third quarter: Melbourne looked like winning.
However it seemed after almost that exact moment the toll of having Mark Jarmar subbed off at the start of the second term and being left one short after losing Jamie Bennell at the start of the third took its toll. From there the Demons essentially stopped and began to get beaten in every facet of the game.
The game was not all negative for Melbourne though, they started like a house on fire kicking six goals to record their highest first quarter score for the season. They were applying an immense amount of pressure on Freo without the ball and then opening up the game with it.
After quarter time Ross Lyon had had enough, he proceeded to shut the game down creating plenty of stoppages. His cause was helped by the Dees poor disposal out of defense which resulted in only four inside 50s for the quarter, luckily 2 were converted into goals and they kept their lead at the half.
The Dockers kicked the first three of the second half only to face the quick Melbourne reply of 4 goals. However it was form there that Fremantle took control of the game and never turned back.
David Mundy was the best for the visitors, he put in a four quarter effort and gathered a game high 27 disposals. This included 16 contested possessions, eight clearances and six tackles all of which were essential in asserting the Dockers midfield dominance in the second half.
He was joined by Pavlich, who finished with four goals after an excellent duel with James Frawley. He provided a contest all day which resulted in many goals for the small men. Luke McPharlin was a rock down back while Walters played the perfect small forwards game.
As for Melbourne Tom Mcdonald lead the way, the youngster was extremely impressive coming third man up and cutting off opposition attacks. Stefan Martin was also great, with Jamar out early he had a huge load to bear and he battled admirably. Colin Sylvia was also back to his explosive best breaking packs and kicking goals.
Votes
1) David Mundy
2) Matthew Pavlich
3) Michael Walters
GOALS
Melbourne: Green 3, Martin 2, Bail 2, Bennell, Blease, Bate, Green, Sylvia
Fremantle: Pavlich 4, Walters 3, Ballantyne 2, Barlow 2, Hill 2, Pearce 2, Mzungu, Bradley, Mayne
BEST
Melbourne: T.McDonald, Martin, Sylvia, Nicholson, Frawley
Fremantle: Mundy, Pavlich, Walters, McPharlin, Hill
INJURIES
Melbourne: Luke Tapscott (groin) was a late withdrawal, Mark Jamar (leg), Jamie Bennell (Knee)
Fremantle: Antoni Grover was a late withdrawal
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Mark Jamar replaced by James Strauss at quarter-time
Fremantle: Greg Broughton replaced by Cameron Sutcliffe in the third quarter