Fremantle Football Club jubilated after a match-winning score over the Western Bulldogs secured them a historic flag. This victory brought them a highly coveted place in finals due to stunning individual performances and incredible tactical play. The match Saturday night at Optus Stadium displayed the Dockers’ elite defensive prowess as well as some outstanding offensive team play. Those efforts produced a last minute score that gave them a victory and postseason berth.
Tom Liberatore led the way for the Bulldogs with a staggering 27 disposals. He won eight clearances, showing his tenacity and talent in midfield. Despite Spurr’s superb efforts, the tide proved impossible to resist, with Fremantle’s collective team performance too strong. The Dockers have a strong hold in the first few minutes of the game. Joel Freijah was the hero, breaking the Bulldogs’ 44-minute goal dry spell with the match-winning goal in the third quarter.
Fremantle’s strategy focused on neutralizing the Bulldogs’ key forwards. Alex Pearce, as he was so often, was a huge part of this plan, limiting Sam Darcy’s dominion over the match. Pearce reflected on the match, stating,
“We played them early in the year, Coxy did a great job on Naughton and I got a bit of a bath by Darcy — I only played him a quarter and I got taken off him, that’s how well I went.”
Brennan Cox’s elite positional awareness and defensive IQ helped keep Aaron Naughton a non-factor throughout the game. That didn’t stop his persistence from paying off with two goals. The Dockers’ defense stood tall against the Bulldogs’ attempts to chip away at their big lead, letting the Freo women hang onto a comfortable lead.
The offensive end for Fremantle was just as beautiful. Pat Voss, Jye Amiss, and Josh Treacy all got three goals. Their truly dominant performance only further emphasized their ability to put danger in front of the net. Jackson scored two goals, adding to the onslaught. Meantime, Michael Frederick and Shai Bolton both contributed a pair apiece. Caleb Serong continued to add support to the Dockers engine room, racking up 24 disposals.
Before and during the celebrations, Fremantle suffered a major blow. Sam Switkowski had to go down in the last term due to a possible knee injury. Fortunately, he should come through with flying colors in the future.
Jordan Clark’s game ending performance was critical, as he played steady on both sides of the ball. Neil Erasmus made his mark with 20 touches, six clearances, and one goal, highlighting his emerging role within the squad.
After the game, Fremantle had well and truly set itself up as a contender for this year’s finals. Their intent and overall execution on key strategies to overcome a tough opponent like the Bulldogs leaves much to be excited about with what lies ahead for Toast. While looking forward to the test that awaits in mid-June, the players and coaches of Fremantle still keep their eyes on improving their game.
“We’ve only got our foot in the door now so we’ll really get to work in the next couple of weeks and hone in on hopefully what’s a good period of footy for us.”
The game concluded with Fremantle firmly establishing itself as a contender for the finals. Their ability to execute strategies effectively against a formidable opponent like the Bulldogs bodes well for their upcoming matches. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, Fremantle’s players and coaching staff remain focused on refining their gameplay.
