Melbourne have restored their top two credentials, hammering a hapless Fremantle side at Optus Stadium on Friday night: 12.13 (85) to 5.9 (39).
The Dees looked a class above from the first bounce and made the most of their chances up top, while the Dockers found themselves wanting too often.
It gives the Dees a much-needed confidence boost ahead of a tough run at home, while the Dockers’ top four hopes are now under significant threat.
Stream every match in every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership season live and ad-free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14 days free now >
QUARTER BY QUARTER SUMMARY
There were no late changes from either side. Bailey Banfield (Fremantle) and Kade Chandler were the medical substitutes.
Simon Goodwin told Fox Footy that Angus Brayshaw would spend time in the middle as the side opted for a “slightly different” look.
Rain early in the game was a blatant problem, but it was Melbourne who came out of the blocks, applying plenty of pressure and hitting the scoreboard with three backs in a row.
The Dees’ first goal came after a great transition move from defence, with Christian Petracca setting up Kysaiah Pickett.
Bayley Fritsch followed with a smooth finish on the left boot as the Dees posted 10 for 50 to Fremantle’s two in the early stages.
Charlie Spargo appeared to clear the fingertips of a Dockers defender with a click inside 50 and the subsequent score review was inconclusive, resulting in a third Dees goal.
Eventually the Dockers began to turn the tide in their favour, with back-to-back goals (to Michael Frederick and Michael Walters respectively) making the margin more manageable.
Another Fritsch goal put the Dees ahead by 14 points at quarter time.
The Dees started the second quarter well, but Petracca looked very uncomfortable after an off-the-ball incident involving Sean Darcy.
Petracca ran to Darcy after the act and remonstrated with the ruckman both physically and verbally.
James Jordon and Ed Langdon kicked the first two goals of the quarter to extend the Dees’ lead, while a controversial free-kick on Jack Viney for high contact sent the Dockers fans into a frenzy.
A back-to-back run made for a tough affair, but that streak was snapped late in the second term with a goal from Jake Melksham to extend the margin to 33 points.
Melbourne led by 37 points at the break.
Fremantle opened the third term better than the first and second, but missed opportunities hurt the side.
It was made even more costly by a relative balance in front of goal at the other end, with Fritsch and Weideman shooting really hard.
A goal in Spargo put the margin at 41 points.
The Dees went into quarter-time with a 42-point lead.
Melbourne extended their lead in the final term to increase their percentage, and the Dockers continued to look meek going forward.
THE 3-2-1 (by Catherine Healey)
3) DOUBLE SWORD IN STREET HOME
It’s the win Melbourne needed for so many reasons, not least the ladder ramifications.
Fremantle were one of the teams after a top-four and top-two spot, so Melbourne had the chance to take matters into their own hands and they certainly did on Friday night.
Coming into the game, the Dees had the third toughest home run of the competition and needed to go 3-1 to be comfortable with their top four hopes, let alone the top two.
That equation now becomes 2-1 after an impressive performance against the Dockers.
Keeping the Dockers on such a low score also gives them another boost in betting percentage, strengthening their claims for the top two spots.
Most importantly, yes this The version of the Dees coming up against Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane in the last three rounds, they have every chance of finishing the season on a decent winning streak.
Then there’s Fremantle.
The Dockers’ game seems to be collapsing in the rain and the losses they have suffered in these conditions have dashed their hopes of a top two finish, let alone a top four finish.
Coming into the game, the Dockers would have made the top four on a 4-0 run and would have been a better-than-even chance with a 3-1 record.
The loss to Melbourne means they really can’t afford to lose to the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne next week.
The games against West Coast and the Giants to close the home-and-away season are much more winnable, but there has been very little room for progress from here on out.
2) VINEY DELIVERS LIKE A “TOMORROW BALL”
Melbourne were criticized for their pressure leading up to the big clash at Optus Stadium.
But from the first bounce, the Demons showed the intensity that has been missing in recent weeks.
Viney accumulated 18 turnovers in the first half, nine of which were contested.
He was the first pressure player on the floor, and had six tackles to add to his dominance.
Fox Footy’s Nick Riewoldt said the Demons had “physically dominated” the Dockers on Friday night and were able to “jump off the back” of Viney’s ferocious start.
“You can look at the system and all that stuff, it’s always going to be about effort and intensity,” he said.
“They seem to have turned on.
“Jack Viney, he was a wrecking ball in that first quarter and the rest of the guys jumped on his back and went away.”
Garry Lyon was full of praise for Viney’s impact on the contest.
“Your side is in a bit of a funk and you’re looking to get out of it. One of the criticisms of you is that your pressure has dropped and you haven’t been tough enough on the pitch,” he said.
“(Viney’s efforts) are everything they’ve been criticized for not doing.
“That’s what you need in times like this.”
Jonathan Brown said Viney was like a “wrecking ball” against the Dockers.
He finished his night with 33 disposals (16 contested) and nine appearances.
1) DOCKERS DUO CANNOT APPROACH IT
For the third week in a row, Fremantle’s forward line hasn’t fired.
Rory Lobb returned to the line-up on a rainy night in Perth and made no impact on the contest.
Commentator James Brayshaw said Lobb’s teammate Matt Taberner had a “horrible night”.
The duo had zero marks inside 50 in the first half.
The Dockers only managed two goals, before Michael Walters added his second just seconds before the break.
Commentator Jude Bolton said the Dockers needed more from Lobb and “didn’t like” some of the efforts he was making.
“Rory Lobb when the ball gets to the forward 50 you just have to be able to put your name on your foot and kick the ball,” he said.
“You have to be able to drive there and have some presence.”
Lobb was behind “one of the worst kicks” Brian Taylor had ever seen.
He couldn’t throw it more than five yards wide before the ball dribbled out of bounds in the final term.
“He looks at his hands and tries to blame them: they are your companions, you own them!” Taylor lamented.
Fox Footy’s Nick Riewoldt was critical of Fremantle’s efforts.
“Fremantle withered. They didn’t rise to the occasion that Melbourne was in,” he said.
“I was disappointed by the response.
“They looked nervous.”
Commentator Matthew Richardson said he did not think Fremantle could win the premiership in 2022, while Luke Hodge said their style of play could not handle the pressure of the finals.
“Their ball usage shuts down. They can’t kick it, they can’t move it,” he said.
Taberner finished his night with just six touches and a sack, while Lobb had eight touches.
Recap Fremantle v Melbourne on our blog below!
If you can’t see the blog, tap here.