By Tim Stone, reporting for the AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
It has been 12 years in the making, but Fremantle has at last achieved Finals success, overcoming a feisty Melbourne side by 28 points in the First Elimination Final at Subiaco. Their success on a balmy Friday night was the equivalent of reaching the summit for their season 2006 aspirations -- Coach Chris Connolly and the Fremantle Football Club's goal of “making and winning a Final” .
The victory is reward for players such as Shaun McManus and Shane Parker who have been with the club since its AFL debut in 1995. Their only Finals appearance before 2006 came in 2003 where they finished fifth, only to be humiliated by Essendon to the tune of 44 points, what Connolly had reminisced as a side “fighting outside of their weight division” at the time.
This time Fremantle was prepared. A Top Four finish in 2006 gave them a second chance after their loss last week, and they were able to compose themselves for a second crack at that elusive first Finals victory. Composure was the key to the Fremantle win. The Dockers had to overcome a relentless Melbourne attack in the first half, the “Dees” laying early blows in each of the quarters, as Fremantle was made to chase their tail for the majority of the first half.
Davies opened up the scoring of both quarters, with goals gaining the early ascendancy from which Fremantle were left to dig deep to remain in touch. They did it well however, and never lost the scent, 2 goals adrift when McLean goaled, before they brought out their claws and ground out goals through Webster and Pavlich. Awe inspiring tackling from Longmuir, as well as heroics from late inclusions Webster and Mundy kept their side in close check. Russell Robertson was able to get a goal against the flow with a snap out of the pack which kept his side at level going into the first break. A similar scenario unfolded in the second quarter, the Demons with 3 early goals to give them their biggest lead in the match of 15 points. They threatened to blow the game open, the Dockers able to counter the Demons' next attack on goal, and reverted to possession footy to work their side back into the contest.
Schammer tried to ignite the comeback with an inspired goal from a snap, only to have Neitz return the favor with a fluky goal from deep in the pocket a minute later. Finals pressure created errors and Fremantle capitalized. Longmuir goaled from a Melbourne error, and Murphy climbed up high for the second time in the night to mark and goal as they snatched back the lead heading into the half.
Melbourne got the jump once again with an early goal to Neitz to tie the game up, but Fremantle countered this with 2 goals of their own, as “The Wizard” Jeff Farmer started to get involved. With Fremantle lifting it, Melbourne relied on luck to stop them, a rushed kick off the ground singled out Russell Robertson as he goaled to bring the margin back to 1 straight kick. Yze and Davies represented well for the Demons, but continual pressure on the Melbourne defenses finally spilt the seam open. Farmer and Cook goaled as the Dockers threatened to own the game, 19 points clear. “The Anchor” rallied kicking the next 3 points in a row, Murphy hitting the post for the team collective third time as opportunities went begging. All signs pointed to the floodgates opening before Robertson once again kicked a goal against the tide. The Dockers should have capitalized, a 2 goal turnaround in Melbourne's favor now had them within 3 goals turning the final bend.
Miller's goal in the second minute of the last quarter made the potential boil-over a reality for Fremantle. The Dockers had 11 more scoring shots, yet Melbourne were only 2 goals shy of the lead. A Dockers outfit that had the game on toast in the third quarter had become overexcited and undisciplined in the last quarter as they made errors which let Melbourne back in the game. To make matters worse McPharlin had come off with an ankle injury to unnerve the side even further.
Melbourne sensed wounded prey and pounced, only to commit too many players to the ball. A quick turnover and clean possession saw Fremantle rebounding towards their goals, a team goal capped off by Matthew Carr. Pavlich's mark and goal put the scare behind them and the crowd and players sensed they were close to victory, 22 points clear.
The panic faded and composure returned as Fremantle took control of the game, Melbourne helplessly watched the sand sink through the hourglass. Fremantle struck the killer blow, a heavy shepard by Longmuir giving Headland time to steady and line up the goals as he extended the lead to 28 points half way through the last quarter.
The 5 goals required to take back the lead became less and less likely as time wore on. Both teams had 3 more scoring shots each on goal only to miss all attempts, neither team able to make the most of the golden opportunities. The game became Fremantle's as time simply ran out for the visiting side. Fremantle was 28 points up as the final siren sounded to hand the historic victory for the Fremantle Dockers. The game was won in the second half, Melbourne's midfield working tirelessly only to be outdone in the second half by Fremantle on-ballers Black, Josh Carr, Schammer and Bell. Both late inclusions Webster and Mundy seized their opportunities with big games in the Final, while seasoned enforcers McManus, Cook and Parker provided the muscle for the Dockers.
An historic victory for Fremantle as they claim their first ever Finals victory and now move on to play the Sydney Swans at Telstra Stadium for a spot in the 2006 AFL Grand Final.
FREMANTLE: 3.3 7.9 11.15 14.18 (102)
MELBOURNE: 3.0 7.3 10.4 11.8 (74)
GOALS – Fremantle: Murphy 2, Farmer 2, M. Carr 2, Pavlich 2, Cook,
Webster, Schammer, Mundy, Longmuir, Headland
Melbourne: Neitz 3, Robertson 3, Davey 2, McLean, Yze, Miller
UMPIRES - Vozzo, McInerney, Goldspink
CROWD - 42,505 at Subiaco Oval
Article last changed on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 9:35 PM EDT
