Fremantle Dockers are into the top eight after they kicked clear in the final stages to seal a 24-point win over the Western Bulldogs in Perth.
Josh Treacy and Bailey Banfield kicked three goals each for the Dockers, the latter sealing victory with a thumping kick from 50 in the final two minutes. The win ends a three-game losing streak for the home side.
Nat Fyfe was fantastic in the middle for the Dockers, but even his efforts have paled into comparison to what Caleb Serong is producing.
Serong set a club record for most possessions when he racked up 46 disposals against Brisbane in round one.
And the 23-year-old set another one, this time for clearances, against the Bulldogs on Saturday when he tallied a whopping 17 from his 37 disposals.
“It’s just a normal game for Caleb tonight,” coach Justin Longmuir joked.
“It’s a phenomenal effort to get 17 clearances and even more so against that midfield … that’s outstanding and exceptional.
“I’m not sure where it sits in the AFL. I haven’t seen that number too often, but he’s a pro.
“He continues to work on all aspects of his game. His ground ball is up there with the best in the comp.
“He trusts himself because of all the work he’s done, and I’m just really proud of him as a person.
“You see him go to work every day and the example he sets for his teammates as a young player and young leader is great.”
The Bulldogs’s loss was further soured by an injury to livewire forward Cody Weightman, who was subbed out with a suspected dislocated elbow after a hard landing from an aerial contest.
Earlier, the unbeaten Geelong survived a late surge from Carlton to win by 13 points at the MCG, but their captain Patrick Dangerfield will miss time after injuring his hamstring.
And Adelaide Crows won their second game of the year, beating the Kangaroos in Hobart.
Check out the match reports from all three games:
Look back at how the action all unfolded in our blog.
Key events
AFL SATURDAY SCOREBOARD
That’s where we’ll leave it
That wraps up a big day of football where injuries played a major part with Patrick Dangerfield and Cody Weightman likely to miss some time.
Tomorrow we are back to finish the round, beginning with the Inter-coastal showdown between the Suns and the Eagles at Carrara starting at 1pm AEST.
Then we wrap things up with Hawthorn hosting the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
Thanks for joining us today, stay with us on ABC for any fallout from today’s games and injuries – and we’ll see you back here for Sunday football.
Good night.
Tough night for Western Bulldogs
Was last week a false dawn for the Bulldogs?
Losses to Geelong and Essendon had put them under pressure before their big win over St Kilda.
They had their moments tonight, particularly through the likes of Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel after he was subbed on for Cody Weightman.
That elbow problem keeps happening for the livewire forward. Hopefully he won’t be out for too long.
That was a tough loss for Luke Beveridge’s men, and they will be looking to steady with a win over Hawthorn next weekend.
Fremantle 14.11 (95) def Western Bulldogs 10.11 (71)
Bailey Banfield was the unlikely hero as Fremantle posted a thrilling 24-point AFL win over the Western Bulldogs at Perth Stadium.
A week after kicking 0.4 in a shock western derby loss to West Coast, Banfield kicked two clutch goals in the dying minutes on Saturday night to secure the 14.11 (95) to 10.11 (71) win in front of 45,931 fans.
The result snapped a run of three straight losses for the Dockers, and improved their season record to 4-3.
Banfield finished the match with three goals from 22 disposals.
The Bulldogs trailed by just six points with a little over four minutes remaining.
Banfield’s 45m set shot gave Fremantle a 12-point buffer.
Then with less than two minutes remaining, Banfield nailed a tough 50m shot near the boundary line to secure the victory, with Michael Walters’ late goal adding icing on the cake.
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe wound back the clock with 37 disposals, seven clearances and a goal, while Caleb Serong (37 disposals, 17 clearances) was also a monster in the middle.
Dockers debutant Cooper Simpson, who was subbed into the game in the second quarter, showed flashes of brilliance and finished with three score assists.
Fremantle spearhead Josh Treacy was superb with three goals from eight marks.
Bulldogs utility Bailey Dale continued his resurgence with 30 disposals and two goals, while Sam Darcy kicked three goals.
Liam Jones was a spoiling machine in defence for the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs forward Rhylee West could be in trouble for a high shepherd that struck Brandon Walker in the head, resulting in the Dockers defender being assessed in the change rooms for concussion.
The Bulldogs suffered a blow before the match when midfielder Tom Liberatore, who was due to return from concussion, was ruled out through illness.
The loss was compounded when forward Cody Weightman appeared to dislocate his left elbow again when he landed hard from a marking contest in the first quarter.
AAP
What’s next for the Dockers and Bulldogs
Fremantle:
- Rd 8: Richmond (MCG)
- Rd 9: Sydney Swans (Perth Stadium)
- Rd 10: St Kilda (Docklands)
- Rd 11: Collingwood (Perth Stadium)
- Rd 12: Melbourne (Alice Springs)
Western Bulldogs:
- Rd 8: Hawthorn (Docklands)
- Rd 9: Richmond (MCG)
- Rd 10: GWS (Sydney Showground)
- Rd 11: Sydney Swans (Docklands
- Rd 12: Collingwood (Docklands)
Caleb Serong breaks a record for Fremantle
Nat Fyfe back to his best for Freo
That win was driven by many people – including Josh Treacy as previously mentioned.
But we can’t go past dual Brownlow medallist and former Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe.
He was one from the opening bounce and was involved in everything. 37 disposals (18 contested), four tackles, seven clearances, and 10 score involvements.
What a game.
Key Event
FT: Fremantle beats Western Bulldogs by 24 points
It was tight, it was tough, it wasn’t pretty in stages, but the Dockers won’t care.
Another goal from Michael Walters is the cherry on top in the final minute, and as the siren sounds the crowd rises as one.
The Dockers end a three-game losing streak, and they will be in the eight at the end of the round!
That’s a vital win for Freo, especially after last week’s disastrous loss in the Western Derby.
Bailey Banfield wins it for Fremantle!
They’ve done it!
The Dockers went forward again, and Bailey Banfield marked inside 50. He runs around, kicks from the arc and hoists a swinging kick the drifts in from the left … and falls through!
Freo leads by three goals! They will get the win here.
Huge game from Josh Treacy
If the Dockers get over the line here, a lot of the credit will go to Josh Treacy. Aside from his vital goals, his eight marks have been precious for the Dockers, helping them control the football in the late stages here.
Bailey Banfield kicks a vital goal for Fremantle
Huge moment!
Debutant Cooper Simpson is playing a blinder, he gets the ball down the wing, takes his time and instead of going for glory or the square, he spots up Bailey Banfield in space.
He marks inside 50 and kicks the goal! The Dockers lead by 12 points!
Marcus Bontempelli back on the ground
The Bulldogs skipper spent a long time on the bench, and there weren’t opportunities to get him back on, but he’s there now for teh last five minutes.
Nothing in it in final stages
The teams are getting tired, the errors are coming, and there is one straight kick in it with seven minutes left.
Chance for Patrick Voss
What a move for the Dockers!
Josh treacy took a great contested mark in the middle.
he handballs to first-gamer Cooper Simpson, who goes long to his fellow debutant Patrick Voss – he marks inside 50!
But misses the chance to kick his second.
Six points in it with 10 minutes left.
Chance missed for Freo
Pressure is on here!
The Dockers stream forward after a smother from Tom Emmett.
They went down the left then centred the ball for Luke Jackson – it went too far for him, but he chased down the Bulldogs defender. Out on the full!
Jackson kicks from deep in the pocket – it misses.
Five points the lead.
Aaron Naughton kicks a goal for the Bulldogs
The Dogs answer!
It’s to-and-fro in the final quarter, the ball goes to a contest deep inside 50, it goes over the back and Aaron Naughton snaps on the run from a narrow angle.
It’s there!
back to four points!
Tim English misses another shot for the Bulldogs
The visitors attack looking to answer quickly.
Tim English marks in the left forward pocket – but it’s another missed set shot for the Bulldogs!
Michael Frederick gets the early goal for Fremantle
A tight beginning to the final term ends with the Bulldogs under pressure – Freo get the ball back on the wing and James Aish finds Michael Frederick inside 50.
He marks and kicks the goal – Dockers lead by 11!
Key Event
3QT: Fremantle leads Western Bulldogs by five points
The Bulldogs have missed so many chances in this quarter, but Sam Darcy marks in the final seconds, and the son of a gun nails it after the siren!
The Dockers lead by five points at the final change.
Marcus Bontempelli has a bad miss for the Bulldogs
Oh dear!
The Bulldogs had a big attack deep in time on, Marcus Bontempelli took a mark close to goal.
He ran in from about 15 metres out – AND HE MISSES!
You’d never have seen that coming from the Bulldogs skipper.
Will that be costly in the end?
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