Fremantle strikes first

Fremantle   127 defeated West Coast   65

Fremantle has thrashed archrival West Coast in emphatic style tonight at Subiaco to advance to the quarterfinals of the NAB cup. A six-goal haul from Luke McPharlin and a strong display of team cohesiveness set up the 62-point victory.

The tone was set early in the first term when speedster Brett Peake chased and tackled Chris Judd forcing the Brownlow medallist in to holding the ball. Fremantle ran harder all night, playing tight in close and finding ample space when free.

West Coast was without midfielder Chad Fletcher and the banished Michael Gardiner whilst Fremantle were able to cover the absence of Matthew Pavlich.

The Dockers had plenty of drive from the backline with Byron Schammer’s move back proving a success. He amassed 25 disposals and provided extensive drive form the backline. Paul Hasleby (29 disposals), Josh Carr (25) and skipper Peter Bell (23) accumulated possessions at will as the Dockers ran and carried the ball on the vast spaces of Subiaco. Big man Aaron Sandilands was superb in the ruck contests pushing All-Australian Dean Cox out of the match.

Signs calling for Ben Cousins to be reinstated were sprinkled in the crowd as the former skipper did his best to help his side with 25 disposals. The form of youngster Matt Rosa was one of the only good signs for last year’s runners up. Rosa displayed his class gathering 24 disposals.

A silly fifty-metre penalty courtesy of Jeff Farmer saw the Eagles take the first lead change after Rowan Jones converted. But from mid-way through the term the Dockers pushed hard and after a few errors going forward managed to take the lead. A slimmer Paul Medhurst, now donning the number six, was impressive setting up countless goal scoring opportunities as well as bagging himself two for the night.

The Dockers built on their 27-point quarter time lead in the second term. McPharlin used his athleticism to full advantage, running off his opponent at will. After McPharlin booted his second for the night a chain of quick possessions saw Peake slot through a goal and the onslaught begin, the Eagles were no match for the fired up Dockers who extended their lead to 37 points at half-time.

Medhurst and McPharlin worked brilliantly all night, the pair’s communications skills were high and Medhurst’s work up the ground suggested he would spend more time in the midfield this season. The Dockers switched play to the fat side often, enabling for free, fast flowing football to be devoured by their fans. The Eagles looked spent, the Dockers extra four weeks training was obvious. A 49 point advantage was taken into to last term.

Spot fires broke out through out the night, Farmer and Daniel Chick were often involved. A super goal courtesy of James Walker pushed the Dockers further in front. Judd also slotted through a nine-pointer, but the champion had minimal impact on the match.

Fremantle were in control all night and drew first blood against their rivals in emphatic style extended the lead at every change. They play Collingwood at Subiaco next week.

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