The momentum of the flag mantle is almost out of control.
Fremantle has defeated a Premier League contender for the second week in a row, defeating Brisbane at Optus Stadium thanks to another consecutive blitz in the third legislature.
After struggling to handle the Lions’ initial heat (Brisbane led by 14 points in the second term), the Dockers scored six goals to three in the third season and remained strong in the fourth quarter to record a 14-game winning streak. points. 15.9 (99) to 13.7 (85).
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AFL’s best defense kept the game’s best attack below 100 points for the first time in seven weeks.
MATCH REPORT QUARTER BY QUARTER
It was a tough arm wrestling at the start of the match as Brownlow medal favorite Lachie Neale was led by Docker Caleb Serong on the first rebound. Former Docker Neale had a few early dispositions, dealing with some teasing from Freo fans, as Will Brodie also devoted time to him in the stops.
After 10 minutes, the Lions were the first to hit the scoreboard, with Dan McStay grabbing the ball from a 50-ruck front competition and breaking a major from his left boot.
“It’s been a real struggle. The two teams still love each other,” Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley told Fox Footy.
The Dockers had a quick response, as 203cm ruckman Lloyd Meek showed great athleticism and broke Freo’s first major.
But pressure from the Lions’ elite forced another 50-yard lead and a goal from young defender Keidean Coleman, who stepped up to influence the scoreboard.
And when Charlie Cameron added the third big minute later to his team, the Lions had thrown a 13-point lead in the quarter.
Fremantle’s quarter-time score of 1.1 (7) was his first-quarter low this year and only the second time he had scored more than two goals in an early period this season.
But the Dockers recovered quickly, leading to elimination when Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue threw two quick goals in the trot.
Then a fight broke out between the two teams, with Luke Ryan’s jumper ripped off and the referees working hard to separate the two teams.
“Things have gotten a little difficult here,” said Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson.
Matthew Pavlich, Fox Footy’s border runner, said, “The public is very interested. It’s deafening down here.”
As the situation calmed down, the Dockers adjusted better when James Aish threw forward and scored another goal to give the Dockers the lead.
Then, the Lions got one against the grain, thanks to a great disputed mark and a goal of seven of Eric Hipwood.
“It’s been a very physical game, not a high-scoring game, but it’s still great to watch,” Triple Prime Minister Jonathan Brown Lion Fox told Lion Foot.
Hipwood had a chance to score a second goal at the end of the quarter, only to miss on the right and make sure the Lions took a one-point lead at the break.
Brisbane started quickly in the third season, with a great hit from Oscar McInerney that led to Cameron’s second goal from distance.
The Dockers seemed to get the quick answer as Travis Colyer fired a long shot into the net. But there was an idea to it – the misdirected ball was turned into a cross towards Griffin Logue, who was waiting for it in the box. That’s 1 – 0!
“Oh, Logue left it, and paid the price!” said Hudson.
Brown added: “Always take the mark. Don’t rely on chance because the ball can come back. Don’t be disinterested right now. I can understand your mindset, but this is not the time to be selfish.”
Both teams went goal by goal. Caleb Serong threw a goal before Zac Bailey responded and then Michael Frederick scored strongly to maintain Brisbane’s lead at one point.
But after Daniel Rich gave a free kick, Bailey Banfield turned the Dockers ahead before adding a second goal minutes later.
Then the Dockers kicked off when Rory Lobb converted a seven-pointer and Banfield scored his third goal.
He recalled Fremantle’s third-quarter performance against Melbourne eight days earlier, with the Dockers claiming another scalp in a third-quarter blitz.
“It’s been a demolition,” Brown said.
Hudson told the Lions, “The problems are increasing … They can’t catch any tricks.”
Bailey played almost solo for the Lions in the third season, accumulating 12 discards and adding a late goal to reduce Freo’s lead to 17 points in the final change.
Michael Frederick gave the Dockers the perfect start to the fourth term, scoring a running goal to extend Freo’s lead to 23 points.
But Bailey threw his third before Lincoln McCarthy created a 50-yard lead and scored a goal to turn it into an 11-point game as Brisbane returned to the lead on the stops.
Banfield broke his fourth before Bailey responded with his fourth major for Brisbane, while continuing the backward nature of the contest.
The Lions continued to advance at the end of the game, with Cameron, Cal Ah Chee and McStay all hitting the scoreboard. But most of the time the Dockers’ defense remained strong, with Luke Ryan and Alex Pearce thwarting many of Brisbane’s raids.
And when Lobb got a great shot from 55 yards out to score his third goal, Fremantle had secured victory.
EL 3-2-1 …
3. OPPONENT CONTENTING FLAG, SAME RESULT
Another game, another blitz from the third quarter of Fremantle against a real aspirant to the AFL premiere.
If, for some reason, you were still a doubtful Dockers before Sunday’s game against Brisbane, you probably would have turned out at the end of the third quarter.
The Dockers were touted as a true flag fantasy last week after their epic third quarter against Melbourne at the MCG that saw them score eight goals to one.
On Sunday, the Dockers on their home deck attacked Brisbane in the Premier League quarter, giving it a 6.2 to 3.2 lead.
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley said Fremantle’s third term was “a foot as powerful as you’ll see.”
“He’s efficient, he’s role-focused … and they keep popping up for each other,” Buckley said.
“It’s been pretty awesome.”
While Fremantle and Brisbane had a similar number of 50s inside during their tenure, the Dockers were much more efficient in the future as they defended their 50s on their backs much better.
This is due to the fact that the Dockers did much of their damage from stoppages, winning the third quarter elimination count by 14-9, with Andy Brayshaw and Will Brodie with four each as they combined for 19 eliminations. only for the fourth.
The Dockers scored six goals in the third quarter. Image: Will Russell Source: Getty Images
Fremantle before round 12 was ranked 15th in scoring from stops. But they evoked 36 points just for stoppages in the third legislature, the highest stoppage score in a quarter of the Dockers.
Even more notable was the fact that the Dockers produced their club record against Brisbane, which is one of the best stop scoring teams in the AFL.
“It’s been a demolition,” Brown said.
“They have dismantled one of the best stopping teams in the competition.”
Brayshaw showed great leadership as he set the tone for his side in the face of the coal.
“The cleaning work, especially by Andy Brayshaw, has been amazing to see how hard he works and how active he is around the break,” Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich told Fox Footy.
“That’s where they really got back up, in and around the ball.”
Buckley added: “He just does things right. His pace of work is on the roof.”
2. NON-FAMILY FREO NAMES DO THE MAXIMUM DAMAGE
Neither Nat Fyfe, nor Michael Walters, nor Sam Switkowski, nor Matt Taberner nor goals to Lachie Schultz.
That sentence would normally frighten the hearts of Fremantle fans, as finding the goals would have seemed impossible.
But enter two unlikely cult heroes who have just played the games of their lives.
In the middle of Fremantle’s third-quarter blitz was Bailey Banfield, who scored three goals from four third-quarter shots before adding another in the final quarter as he put the Dockers fans on their feet.
It meant that Banfield, a role-playing player who started his career as a tagger and has struggled to consolidate his place in Fremantle’s top 22 for years, finished with four goals, the highest of his career, in the his 50th game.
Bailey Banfield of the Dockers. Image: Paul KaneFont: Getty Images
While Banfield hurt in the third season, Michael Frederick was the Dockers’ most influential scorer in the fourth quarter, scoring two goals in eight eliminations and five in 50.
“They’re not family names … they’re guys who play very important roles and are winning games for the top four,” Buckley said.
But a familiar face lit it up in the 50’s for the Dockers, with Rory Lobb producing an illustrative play.
Lobb finished with 3.1, including the fourth-season match-fixer from 55 yards out, nine rebounds and six touchdowns (five in 50, three contested).
Buckley said it was “such a shocking performance I’ve seen of him (Lobb) for a while.”
1. EPIC MAIN LIONS PRESSURE
The fact that Fremantle was able to produce such a dominant third term became even more remarkable given how impressive Brisbane was during the first half.
Although the midfield numbers were evenly matched during the first quarter, Brisbane brought great warmth and intensity, making more tackles than the Dockers, especially on the ground with eight 50-yard attacks, and creating 10 losses from the front half. for the fourth.
Lions legend Jonathan Brown said club boss Dayne Zorko set the tone.
“The big focus when you make a big interstate trip is early pressure and getting the crowd out of the game,” Brown told Fox Footy.
The Brisbane Lions put a lot of pressure early. Image: Paul KaneFont: Getty Images
“I thought Dayne Zorko was great … he set the team’s attitude …