Dockers Tame Fighting Tigers

by Janet Linn reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval

The Fremantle Dockers’ Finals hopes are alive and well after a hard fought victory over the Richmond Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Subiaco Oval. After several weeks of below par performances the Dockers are back in the race for the top Four although their form is still not convincing. This time last year they were in a similar position on the Premiership ladder before putting together a nine game winning streak that took them into the finals in September. The Richmond Tigers knew before today’s match that they would not be anywhere near the Finals in 2007. In spite of losing games by small margins and even drawing last week against the Brisbane Lions, the Tigers are yet to win a game. They face the unenviable prospect of finishing with the “Wooden Spoon” (the fate of the team that finishes last on the Premiership ladder at the end of the regular season). After the game coach Terry Wallace emphasized that his young team is still developing and learning from the best teams in the league. He reminded Tiger fans that more than half of Sunday’s team were players with only one or two seasons under their belt and that inexperience was the clear difference between the two teams at Subiaco on Sunday.

To the surprise of the Dockers’ supporters, the Tigers dominated the first quarter. Within 30 seconds of the bouncedown Richard Tambling had scored a goal and Graham Polak (playing against his old club) and Matthew Richardson looked potent in the forward line. The Tigers’ midfield players were dictating the play. In particular Nathan Foley, the AFL’s leading possession-getter at the center clearances, was on top. Goals to Kayne Pettifer and Brett Deledio gave Richmond a handy lead. Halfway through the quarter Fremantle appeared to come out of the shock zone and mounted some forward attacks. Just before the end of the quarter Docker Dean Solomon, only recently returned from suspension, was involved in some rough play on Tiger Chris Newman. The resultant free kick and 50 meter penalty was a golden opportunity for Newman, playing his 100th AFL game. His gigantic 70 meter kick on goal put him in contention for one of the best goals of the year. The Tigers went into the break with a 20 point advantage.

The second quarter was tough and torrid as the Dockers’ players launched themselves more aggressively into the play. Although the skills on display were not spectacular and there were many messy turnovers by both sides, the quarter was entertaining because of the sheer endeavor shown. Fremantle’s midfield players, especially Shaun McManus and Peter Bell, lifted their output and pushed the ball forward time after time. Fremantle made up some ground through goals to Des Headland and Brett Peake. In spite of making most of the play, Richmond’s younger, inexperienced players made costly mistakes at critical times and their forward line was well held by the Fremantle defense. By half time Fremantle had narrowed the gap to 13 points.

The Tigers made a great start to the third quarter when Kayne Pettifer scored a goal in the first minute. Fremantle reacted by playing a spare man in defense and this tactic paid off. The Dockers began to apply intense pressure and Richmond players were tackled as soon as they took possession of the ball. Small men Bell, McManus and Heath Black took control in the center, steering the ball to the Fremantle forward players with skill and precision. Headland was dominant in the forward line for Fremantle and his three goals for the quarter lifted his teammates. Further goals to David Mundy, Scott Thornton and Chris Tarrant gave the Dockers a one point advantage at the three-quarter break.

Richmond kicked the opening goal of the final quarter through Cameron Howat after a brilliant passage of play featuring Jake King, Brett Deledio and Matthew Richardson. The Dockers followed suit through Matthew Pavlich and  the captain's outstanding last quarter was the turning point in the match. The Tigers fought the game out until the end and goals to Shane Edwards, Tambling and Richardson kept them in touch. However they could not match Fremantle’s superior skills and better ball use and late goals to Robert Warnock and Brett Peake for the Dockers saw them run out comfortable winners. On the day the Dockers were more consistent, made less mistakes, turned the ball over less and played more as a team than Richmond. Their eight goal last quarter was the club’s best ever performance against the Tigers who, in spite of their lack of success so far in 2007, have a lot to look forward to when their rookie players come of age.

Round 12 is a split round with each team getting the benefit of a week’s rest. On Saturday June 16th Fremantle will travel to Darwin to play the Western Bulldogs. This will be a crucial game for both teams in the battle for September action. Richmond’s next game will be a night contest on Friday June 22nd against second bottom team Melbourne. This game at the MCG should draw a huge crowd and may well determine which of the two teams ends the year in bottom place on the ladder and in possession of the Wooden Spoon.

Final scores

Fremantle   1.3    4.8    10.10   18.15 (123)
Richmond    4.5    6.9    10.9    15.12 (102)

Goals
Fremantle:  Headland 5 Pavlich 3 Tarrant 2 Peake 2 Mundy, Thornton, Black, Ibbotson, Warnock, Grover 
Richmond: Tambling, Pettifer 3 Richardson, Edwards 2 Deledio, Newman, Hyde, Kingsley, Howat 

Best
Fremantle:   Bell, J. Carr, McManus, Pavlich, Headland
Richmond:   Deledio, Foley, King, Raines, Tambling

Crowd        37,177

Injuries
Fremantle:  nil
Richmond: Newman (ribs) White (concussion)

Umpires:  Chris Kamolins, Martin Ellis, Michael Avon