Roos prevail in gritty contest

Kangaroos  66  defeated  Fremantle  44

An over-possessing Fremantle unit have fallen at home for the third successive time as a determined Kangaroos outfit turned a nine-point quarter time deficit into a 22-point victory this afternoon.

Kicking only one goal in the first term, the Roos stepped up after the first break, booting seven goals to three, running out eventual 8.18 (66) to 6.8 (44) victors.

The scoreboard was more-so flattering in the Dockers' favour, with the visitors taking 15 marks inside the attacking fifty to just two, including 11 more scoring shots. However, inaccuracy cost the Roos a greater victory in the gritty environment.

Jess Sinclair was a catalyst in the Roos' victory, racking up 26 possessions and taking 11 marks. Adam Simpson ably provided plenty of midfield support with 21 touches of the pill, as did Brent Harvey with 23 possessions and a goal.

Docker captain Peter Bell was a stand-out, collecting 23 possessions and booting a goal, while Byron Schammer (23), Troy Cook (23) and Josh Carr (21) were all on-song, however, after quarter time, it was very bleak.

Flooding early on by both teams saw 15 minutes transpire before Byron Schammer booted the first goal of the match. The stagnant first half of the stanza was almost wiped out when Troy Cook booted Fremantle's second goal a minute later.

Steven Dodd and Peter Bell were proving to be unstoppable in the Docker midfield with their run and attacking drive. Bell then kicked Fremantle's third in as many minutes, as they went into quarter time leading by nine points.

The Kangaroos booted only one goal in the first quarter, though, it took less than 30 seconds in the second stanza to register their second when Leigh Harding kicked a long-bomb from outside 50. The visitors then took the lead when Nathan Thompson kicked his first for the afternoon minutes later.

Dodd, Bell and Schammer were were unable to break away with their explosiveness seen the first quarter, though Sinclair steered the ship with eight second-quarter possessions for the Kangaroos as they booted four goals to one to lead by nine points at the main break.

The third quarter was a stagnant affair, with both sides unable to establish a dominance - with Fremantle kicking two goals to one, still trailing by 11 points at the final change.

With goals at a premium in the oppressive conditions, it was imperative for Fremantle to score the first goal of the final term, however, it was Harding who marked and goaled early on as the Kangaroos stretched their lead to 16 points.

The home side failed to enter their attacking fifty for the first half of the final quarter and if that wasn't a sign of the Roos heading to victory, when Corey Jones marked and kicked truly from 45, the visitors had developed a match-winning 22-point lead.

Both teams can enjoy a break next week before Fremantle face Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday week, while the Kangaroos return to face Essendon at the Telstra Dome the previous night.

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