Fremantle has overcome a plucky Gold Coast outfit, stringing together their second win of the season after defeating the Suns by 28 points.
Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was again integral to the Dockers, with a blistering third quarter and 38-disposal game paving the way for a Docker win, while Cam McCarthy booted three majors to close out the game.
Although being played at Optus Stadium, the game was scheduled as a Gold Coast home game due to Metricon Stadium being unavailable due to the ongoing Commonwealth Games, yet it did little to faze the Suns early on.
It was a fast start for both sides at Optus Stadium, and despite the “home ground disadvantage”, the Gold Coast came out flying.
Sam Day got proceedings underway only 32 seconds into the term, giving the Suns an early head start.
But their hold on the game was brief, as Fremantle quickly responded with a goal of their own from Hayden Ballantyne, who proved to be carrying over his dangerous form from last week’s clash against Essendon.
The Dockers dominated the quarter with their dynamic ball movement and efficient midfield defence, with 11 intercepts and six stoppages.
Despite the Suns responding late, it was their lack of clearances through the centre which prevented them from converting.
Freo refused to halt their offensive, with Mitchell Crowden increasing the Dockers’ margin to 16 points at the first chance after slotting the first goal of his career.
Determined to claw their way back into the contest, the Suns brought some much-needed flair back into their game scoring, the first two majors of the second quarter.
The Suns lifted in their forward 50, with six marks inside the 50 from just 12 entries compared to the Dockers’ three from 22.
Despite Freo dominating the inside 50 count and easily transitioning the call from their defensive half, they were poor with their set shots, scoring 1.5 for the term.
Although Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe and Lachie Neale were imposing forces the Gold Coast couldn't stop - both racking up 20 disposals each by half-time - the Suns fought back, capitalising on the errors of the “away” side.
Thanks to Freo’s sloppiness and lack of composure around the ball, the Suns managed to level the scores heading into the second half.
The Suns came out blazing in the second half, taking charge of the ball from the beginning of the term with Alex Sexton scoring the first major.
Set on establishing a solid lead, Gold Goast continued to surge, efficiently converting the ball contrary to their first inconsistent first half.
But the Dockers seemed to kick back into gear following their opposition’s initial burst, responding with three unanswered goals within the space of three minutes.
Fyfe’s nine contested possessions, five clearances, four score involvements and a goal kept the Dockers alive; their lead now at 12 points heading into the final term.
With only a two-goal difference at the beginning of the final quarter, back-to-back goals from the Dockers brought he margin out to 25 points pushing the game out of the Suns‘ reach.
The unrelenting pressure from Fremantle’s midfield saw Ballantyne score his second goal of the match, well and truly sealing the match for Fremantle.
Despite the late comeback it was the lack of transitioning of the ball and their inability to convert in the first half by the Suns which allowed the Dockers to capitalise and get an early lead.
Although putting up a valiant fight, the Suns couldn’t quite wrestle their way in front, as the Dockers took the win by 28 points.
The Dockers will be hoping to continue their winning streak as they battle against GWS next Saturday, while Gold Coast will be seeking redemption as they come up against the West Coast Eagles.
GOLD COAST 2.1 6.4 9.7 10.8 (68)
FREMANTLE 4.5 5.10 10.13 13.18 (96)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Day 3, Sexton 3, Lyons 2, Lynch, Martin
Fremantle: McCarthy 3, Ballantyne 2, Walters 2, Matera, Fyfe, Sandilands, Mundy, Crowden, Sheridan
BEST
Gold Coast: Lyons, Swallow, Martin, Kolodjashnij, Miller, Weller
Fremantle: Fyfe, Neale, Ballantyne, McCarthy, Langdon, Walters
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Hanley (shoulder)
Fremantle: Nil
TALKING POINTS
1. FYFE CONTINUES TO PERFORM
Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe proved early in the match he was going to be a force to be reckoned with, as the skipper waltzed to 21 possessions at half-time.
Fyfe wasn’t finished there; he booted one goal of his own, was directly involved in giving one to Michael Walters and despite an eight-point deficit in the second half, the Dockers jumped back 19 points clear largely thanks to the superstar.
Ending his match with 38 possessions, 15 clearances and eight tackles, Fyfe looks poised to claim the three votes, however may have some competition from Gold Coast's Jack Martin (21 touches, six marks) and Jarryd Lyons (30 disposals, 10 tackles, two goals)
2. HANLEY THE UNLUCKY IRISHMAN
Gold Coast’s Pearce Hanley ran out of luck at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with a shoulder injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season.
Hanley was playing his first game of the year after dislocating his shoulder in the pre-season.
But he didn't even make it to half-time, injuring his shoulder again during a relatively tame clash in the midfield.
While Hanley didn't have surgery last time, the Sun’s may have to consider this option this time round in an attempt to get him back on the field in 2018.
3. SANDI'S BUMP SPARKS TROUBLE
Fremantle could be without ruckman Aaron Sandilands next week with their clash against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra, after he was booked for rough conduct.
During the third term, Sandilands collected an unsuspecting Jarryd Lyons high and with reasonably firm contact.
It incident was even more painful for Freo however, with the resultant downfield free kick ending in a goal for the Gold Coast.
4. DOCKERS' TENDENCY TO LET SIDES BACK INTO THE CONTEST A GROWING CONCERN
For two weeks in a row the Dockers have allowed the opposition to claw their way back into the game in the second and third term.
The Suns scored 4.3 compared to the Dockers 1.5 in the second quarter levelling the scores heading into the second half of the match.
This was similar to last week’s game against the Bombers, with 2.2 being scored to the Dockers compared to Essendon's 5.2.
Already it seems to be a reoccurring issue for Freo, and could prove to be costly should it not be fixed in the coming weeks.
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