Fremantle To Play Finals In September
by Tim Stone, reporting for the AFANA @ Subiaco, WA.
Fremantle tied its longest ever winning streak in their 12 year history in the AFL, as they handed a 53 point hiding to a lacklustre Hawthorn side in Round 18. The win, giving Fremantle its 5th straight victory, equalled its previous best in season 2003 that bore them their only ever finals appearance where they finished 5th.
Hawthorn's promising start to the season continues to spiral out of control, as they had slumped to their 6th straight defeat. What could only be compared as boys playing against men, they struggle through a learning curve phase that was evident against the Dockers. With Fremantle staring down the barrel of yet another season campaign in the bottom 8 earlier in the year, they have answered their critics and kept their season goal of “making and winning a final” alive.
While their inaccuracy was a notable aspect of the game, Fremantle and coach Chris Connolly could remained pleased with the statistic that they had 34 scoring shots to 16 in their eventual 53 point victory, 14.20 (104) to 7.9 (51). The win was their first over Hawthorn since 2002, a bogey opponent for “The Anchor” in previous years that was a focal point in the lead up to the encounter.
Fremantle has now, after Geelong's loss to the Kangaroos, opened up a 2 game buffer on the 9th placed side. They sit in 8th place with 4 matches to complete the regular season. Fremantle would only need 1 more victory to secure its place in the finals.
Fremantle share 11 wins with Sydney, St Kilda, Collingwood and the Bulldogs, and could be in 4th place if not for their poor percentage. As for Hawthorn, they continue to search for answers as they spend another season at the low end of the ladder, currently in 14th place.
It was an onslaught from minute 1 as Fremantle put on an almost faultless performance in the first quarter. A four goal start got the early ascendency before Hawthorn could capitalize with their first by Williams 22 minutes in.
2 late goals to the Dockers from Cook and Pavlich saw an impressive first quarter lead of 32 points established by the Dockers as the siren brought the stanza to an end.
An unsettling start for Hawthorn was eased momentarily as they banged home just their second goal for the game in the opening minute of the second. It was this precision that was the Dockers foible, as they dominated the quarter in the same manner as the first, however only able to manage 7 straight behinds.
The inaccuracy was punished by a Hawthorn side that made most of the opportunity. A four goal quarter drew them within 20 points before Fremantle were able to answer late in the quarter.
Williams continued his solo effort up forward for the Hawks, his fourth goal came 5 minutes into the second half, as he continued to supply dividends to the lack of entries in their forward 50.
The restart saw tempers flare as Troy Cook was dealt with heavily, resulting in an all-in scuffle.
The Dockers were the better for it, a noticeable jump in their step had Farmer wreak havoc as they went forward, his typical, unpredictable magic created his third goal and steady the Dockers outfit.
The final 2 goals of the quarter went the way of the Dockers, and a clearly inexperienced Hawthorn didn’t look up to the 32 point deficit that stood before them lining up for the final quarter.
A walk in the park for a more seasoned Fremantle side saw them put on 3.6 to only 3 behinds to wrap what was, in contrast, an easy victory for the Dockers who are now odds-on to make just their second finals season in the club's history.
Fremantle
6.4 8.11 11.14 14.20 (104)
Hawthorn
1.2 5.3 7.6 7.9 (51)
GOALS
Fremantle
Justin Longmuir (4)
Jeff Farmer (4)
Matthew Pavlich (2)
Brett Peake (1)
Ryan Murphy (1)
Byron Schammer (1)
Troy Cook (1)
Hawthorn
Mark Williams (4)
Ben Dixon (2)
Lance Franklin (1)
Article last changed on Monday, August 14, 2006 - 11:07 AM EDT
