Fremantle has cemented their top four spot with a hard-fought 51-point win over Richmond on Saturday night.
Despite being accused of playing their “one of their worst quarters” of the year by coach Justin Longmuir, the Dockers put on a second half clinic to run away 16.9 (105) to 7.12 (54) victors.
The result ensures Fremantle now sit just two points adrift of second spot on the AFL ladder – while resigning Richmond to last place on the ladder.
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Josh Treacy was the hero for the home side, kicking a career-best five goals in front of more than 42,000 fans.
But the win has come at a cost with big man Sean Darcy (concussion) subbed out at half time and Josh Draper finishing the match on ice after a heavy collision with teammate Luke Ryan.
The result ensured coach Justin Longmuir’s 100th match as coach finished in a win.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
There were no late changes, with Michael Walters (Fremantle) and Sam Banks (Richmond) named as the subs.
A horror Jye Amiss turnover in the middle of the ground ensured it was Shai Bolton who got Richmond on the board first in the wet.
When ruckman Toby Nankervis floated forward unmarked, the visitors doubled their lead in worrying signs for Justin Longmuir.
“They are making Freo look like they can’t defend,” commentator Will Schofield said.
But the first term belonged to Docker Josh Treacy as he landed a stunning three goals in a dominant display.
He had help from young gun Heath Chapman – who hadn’t nailed a goal since 2021 – as he landed an absolute ripper from the boundary line.
“Just be careful Heath Chapman, if you’re kicking like that you’ll find yourself as a forward before you know it!” Schofield laughed.
“He knew what he was doing the whole time.”
At the first change it was Fremantle leading 27-12.
The Tigers turned up the heat to start the second term, but couldn’t make Fremantle pay on the scoreboard.
Nankervis monstered Chapman in a heavy tackle – but couldn’t finish his good work, while his teammates were just as wasteful in front of goal.
“It’s been all Richmond this second quarter,” commentator Matthew Pavlich praised.
“They are right on top … getting the game on their terms.”
Despite their dominance, the Tigers could only manage 0.3 to Fremantle’s no score.
Defender Josh Draper made his way from the field after copping a nasty knee from teammate Luke Ryan in a marking contest.
“They are the two keys, along with Brennan Cox, they can’t afford to lose,” Schofield said, given the absence of skipper Alex Pearce down back.
Docker Hayden Young was in the right place at the right time to snap the first goal of the quarter – after more than 15 minutes of play.
It was Young again who hit Treacy lace out – and the big man made no mistake to push Fremantle out to a 23-point lead.
There was less than a minute remaining in the half when Bolton got on the end of a brilliant transition play – but Freo had the reply with just seven seconds to play.
At the main break it was Fremantle leading 47-23.
Sean Darcy failed to return for the second half for Fremantle due to concussion with Michael Walters injected into the contest.
Bolton got out the back for a third time in this match – and nailed his third goal to give the Tigers the best start.
When the star Tiger rose above the pack to pull in a ripping grab moments later, Richmond were within 18 points.
Treacy added a career-high fifth goal before heading into the ruck with Darcy out of the contest.
Tyler Sonsie bravely put his body on the line in front of a charging Treacy, and earnt the applause of his coach and teammates standing metres away.
But his sacrifice counted for little as Freo found their run.
By the final change, the Dockers blew their lead out 84-38.
The last quarter became a formality as Fremantle simply piled on the percentage.
Hayden Young continued to impress in his time as a mid-forward with a whopping 10th score involvement in the final quarter.
At full time, Richmond had been blown off the park as 51-point losers to remain anchored at the bottom of the AFL ladder.
THE 3-2-1…
3. ROOKIE’S CAREER-BEST HAUL LIFTS ‘LITTLE BIT OFF’ FREO
After last week’s stunning victory away from home over ladder leaders Sydney, Fremantle’s equation was simple – back up that win with victory over Richmond.
While Freo did get the job done, it wasn’t a performance to remember with coach Justin Longmuir even accusing players of putting out their worst quarter of the year.
Club great Matthew Pavlich issued a warning to his former side as they moved into the top four.
“I think there’s just been signs tonight where they’ve been a little bit off,” he said.
“They’ve still been able to go out and get this job done.
“If you want to go right and deep into September, you need to take care of these things.”
Longmuir had been critical of Fremantle’s second quarter – where Richmond dominated but just couldn’t put it on the scoreboard with 1.5 and a couple of shots that didn’t register a score.
“I thought the second quarter was one of our worst quarters of the year. I thought we were unpredictable to each other, didn’t think we defended the ground that well,” he told Fox Footy.
“Thought intensity, pressure and hunt wasn’t the level it was in the first quarter anyway.”
But a career-best haul from rising Freo forward Josh Treacy kept the Dockers in the contest before the home side was able to pull away late.
“He’s a player on the rise,” Pavlich praised.
“They’ve been waiting for a forward like this to bob up.”
Treacy had three goals in a blistering opening term effort.
Pavlich laughed as it was revealed the former Docker borrowed a pair of Treacy’s boots for a pre-game family run around – after forgetting his at home.
But he refused to take credit for Treacy’s stunning haul.
“I’m not claiming anything! They are not the ones he’s wearing – they were his spare ones,” Pavlich laughed.
2. SHAI TAKES TO THE SKY TO PLAY LONE HAND WITHOUT DUSTY
Superstar Tiger Dustin Martin didn’t make the trip to Perth to face Fremantle, and without their three-time Norm Smith Medallist Shai Bolton was left to play a “lone hand”.
The West Aussie put on a show in front of his family and friends, and even took to the sky with a massive grab in the third term.
But he had little help in attack to finish with four of his side’s seven goals.
“He’s been a threat inside 50,” commentator Adam Papalia said.
“He’s playing a lone hand up forward.”
Former Fremantle forward Matthew Pavlich agreed Bolton was keeping his side in the contest.
“He’s had such a wonderful match,” he said.
“He’s a class act this guy.”
Pavlich said it was in attack where Richmond fell down – after dominating the second term and managing just 1.5, and other attempts that didn’t register a score.
“I reckon if you’re Adem Yze you’re saying well at three quarter time we’re equal with contested possessions and we’re actually in front in clearance – you’d take that any day of the week,” he praised.
“The reason why Adem Yze would say that, clearance wise Fremantle are the number one team in the competition this year and number four from a contested possession perspective.
“It’s been a really strong performance from the Tigers – they just haven’t been able to connect and finish the job in front of goals.”
1. GREATS SLAM PROTECTED ZONE PUNISHMENT
The AFL introduced the stand rule, and then modified it in June 2022 in regards to the protected area around the mark.
But former Eagle Will Schofield has called for the AFL to do away with the rule altogether after a costly 50m penalty against Richmond on Saturday night.
Nat Fyfe took a mark outside his defensive 50 and was then marched into attack as a result of a Tigers player running past.
Fyfe was able to drill the ball inside 50 and Fremantle goaled moments later.
“We’ve got to change this rule,” Schofield said.
“That did not affect the game whatsoever. It was on the other side to Nat Fyfe I believe.
“It’s the rule (that needs to change).
“I just don’t think that adds anything to our game to make umpires make a decision on that.
“You wouldn’t have to interpret it if it wasn’t there.
“Nat Fyfe was looking in the opposite direction – he didn’t even know he was there.”
Fellow commentator Matthew Pavlich agreed it was a harsh punishment.
“The stand rule I’m a fan of,” he said.
“Oh geez,” he added as the replay rolled.
“I’m with you on that one (getting rid of the protected area).
“That’s definitely far enough way.”
It wasn’t the only umpire controversy when Matt Johnson was able to get away with walking the ball across the goal line – with the amount of pressure on him questioned.
“That has to be deliberate! He had an option to get rid of it, he had an eternity to get rid of it and then walked it over the line,” commentator Adam Papalia said.
“There’s pressure but he’s got another option. That’s the one that should be pinged.”
“I don’t know. I actually don’t know,” Schofield added.
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