Scott Lockhart reporting for AFANA from Subiaco Oval, Perth.
Geelong has reaffirmed its position on top of the AFL Ladder following a crushing 68 point win over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, leaving the Dockers with little chance of making the Finals.
The Ladder leaders looked every bit the side most expect to win the Premiership in yet another dominating performance against a side still hopeful of making an appearance in the Finals. The Cats winning streak now extends to 12 and puts them in the box seat to take out the minor Premiership, sitting two games clear of second place.
Fremantle were yet again disappointing in front of their Subiaco home crowd and showed little signs of the side which just last week outplayed a Premiership fancy at their home ground. Jeff Farmer was somewhat of a surprise inclusion for Fremantle following his drunken indiscretions just over a week ago, but his effect on the game was minimal with the volatile star finishing with nine possessions and one goal.
Geelong opened the match in convincing style, moving the ball in strong numbers as Fremantle let their opponents run free through the middle of the ground. Their first goal came from Darren Milburn, but that was countered shortly after by Mathew Pavlich who goaled after a marking an errant shot on goal from Chris Tarrant.
Cameron Mooney proved to strong for his opponent, Anthony Grover, booting two goals and assisting in another to hand Geelong a handy three goal lead at the 13 minute mark of the opening term.
Fremantle were clearly playing well below their best and consistently had no answers to the run of their opponents. Bad decision making and poor disposal hurt the Dockers and allowed Geelong to add a further two goals through James Kelly and Steve Johnson, breaking away to a 31 point quarter time lead.
A better second term from Fremantle saw them more competitive and more committed to run and attack the ball. Despite this Geelong continued to dictate the play, running harder and dominating around the stoppages. Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands performance suggesting he is struggling with a groin injury.
Pavlich was the first goal scorer of the second term, marking strongly at half forward and converting. But a terrible kick in from Luke McPaharlin, which went straight to Shannon Byrnes, gifted Geelong a goal. Goals to Des Headland and Corey Enright were rare scoring efforts in the second quarter as Geelong wasted numerous opportunities to put the result beyond doubt before half time. A goal on the siren to Fremantle’s Roger Hayden reducing Geelong’s lead to five goals in a dominant first half from the ladder leaders.
Fremantle opened the second half with consecutive goals to Chris Tarrant and David Mundy to reduce the margin to three goals for the first time since the middle stages of the first term. But a late front-on charge from Anthony Grover on James Kelly handed Geelong a fifty meter penalty and settling goal to momentarily halt a Fremantle revival. The Dockers looked ready to fight when their captain Pavlich kicked truly to yet again reduce the margin. Geelong’s lead looked vulnerable for the first time in the match as Fremantle continued to press forward despite their poor disposal.
However, as they have done for so much of this year Geelong were prepared to answer Fremantle’s challenge, slamming through three consecutive goals to take their lead out to a game high 39 points. Cameron Ling (23 possessions) and Gary Ablett (31 possessions) continuing to have far reaching impact through the middle and up forward.
Geelong came out in devastating fashion in the final term, kicking the opening five goals in a controlling 10 minutes of play to break Fremantle physically and mentally. A stunning performance up forward from Mathew Stokes who kicked a career best five goals, including two in the final quarter, epitomized the effort of Geelong. Mathew Pavlich continued to work hard in attack for Fremantle, his four goals and 17 possessions the only highlight for the Dockers in front of goal. Geelong kicked eight goals in the final term, their best fourth quarter effort for the year, in a damaging display of football dominance.
Next week Fremantle have the difficult task of facing a West Coast side at full strength at Subiaco in what is sure to be yet another fiery Western Derby. Whilst Geelong return to Skilled Stadium to play last placed Richmond as they continue their quest for the minor premiership.
Final Score:
Frem: 1.3 4.5 8.9 10.12 (72)
Geel: 6.4 8.11 12.18 20.20 (140)
Best:
Frem: McPharlin, Pavlich, Hayden.
Geel: Ablett, Ling, Stokes, Milburn.
Goals:
Frem: Pavlich 4, Headland 2, Mundy Tarrant Farmer Hayden 1.
Geel: Stokes 5, Johnson Mooney Kelly 2, Harley Ottens Byrnes Ablett Milburn Wojcinki Enright Ling 1.
Umpires: Margetts, McLaren, Avon
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 36, 741 at Subiaco Oval, Perth
Article last changed on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 1:36 AM EDT
