AFL Finals live scores: Fremantle Dockers host Geelong Cats in do-or-die semifinal

Luke Jackson has produced one of the all-time finals performances to lead Fremantle to a stunning semifinal victory over a gallant Geelong. Relive all the action.

Headshot of Jake Santa Maria
Jake Santa Maria
The West Australian
Fremantle Dockers fans went wild for Wharfie Time in the semifinal - and the players sealed the game moments later.

Luke Jackson has produced one of the all-time finals performances to lead Fremantle to a stunning semifinal victory over a gallant Geelong.

With their season on the line the Dockers made a blistering start with Shai Bolton kicking two goals in the first 90 seconds to bury their Demons of the slow start the week before.

But despite getting out to a 30-point lead, the Cats hit the front after an incredible third quarter before Jackson took over.

Relive all the action!

Dockers make perfect start!

Bailey Smith and Shai Bolton lining up together; Chapman’s gone to Dangerfield while Mannagh is with Serong.

Dockers win the tap, Voss shrugs the tackle gets back to half forward and Shai Bolton takes an uncontested mark.

Straight through and that’s a perfect start for Fremantle.

FRE 1.0 (6) GEE 0.0 (0)

Both teams are out on the ground

Loud boos for the Cats, big cheers for the Dockers doesn’t look like quite a full house with plenty of empty seats still visible.

Chris Scott says they have a few plans in place for Luke Jackson.

He also has no concerns for Jeremy Cameron, saying he’s been working his way back saying he’s happy to have him in the team.

Caleb Serong says the Dockers will bring the heat early

“We’re a bit more relaxed than we were last week so the nerves are alright we’re excited,” he says.

“It’s about the contest early in the game we’re going to show strength early and taking it on.

“We want to get up in their face if they feed back from contest we want to be there to tackle them.

“100 per cent I have confidence we’re going to respond; the attitude from the blokes has been incredible.”

Justin Longmuir speaks

“We got to put our best foot forward tonight because it’s do or die now,” he says.

“I thought we got our contest right for large periods last week but what we did off of that wasn’t brave enough.

“When you’re panicking with the ball and not taking the game on it’s hard for our forwards up the ground.

“We’re not searching for something we don’t know exists we just have to get back to our best.

“We trained really well this week, and we’ll put our best foot forward tonight. I’ve got full trust in our forwards to bounce back.

“When we beat Geelong here in round 15 it was built on our contest work and if we get enough turnovers between the arcs that will hold us in good stead.”

Way to go... to the prelim? Dockers diehards pile into Optus

Fremantle fans have piled into Optus Stadium for a do-or-die semifinal against Geelong — which will be the last time they get to cheer on the Dockers at home for the year.

Dangerfield speaks

“It’s a quiet first couple of days and then knuckle down on what Fremantle do and what we did last time we played them,” he says of his week.

“I think it’s about getting the next bit right if you look to far ahead you lose what’s in front of you.

“We’re really clear in what we need to do tonight to get going; as long as you’re playing your role within the team, your rewards will come.

“That’s been the focus for us as a forward line group as well as bringing the pressure to lock the ball in our forward half.”

No late changes

Both teams will both go in as named.

Here’s a reminder of how they will line up.

DOCKERS

B: J Clark A Pearce O McDonald

HB: K Worner L Ryan H Chapman

C: M Johnson A Brayshaw M Frederick

HF: I Dudley M Reid S Switkowski

F: J Amiss J Treacy P Voss

FOLL: L Jackson C Serong S Bolton

I/C: M Cox C Wagner N Erasmus H Young J McVee

EMG: H Davies C Scerri N O’Driscoll

IN: C Wagner J McVee

OUT: B Walker (ankle) N O’Driscoll (omitted)

CATS

B: Z Guthrie C O’Sullivan J Henry

HB: T Stewart T Bruhn L Humphries

C: O Dempsey B Smith M Blicavs

HF: G Miers J Cameron B Close

F: P Dangerfield S Neale J Polkinghorne

FOLL: M Edwards T Takins O Mullin

I/C: M O’Connor M Holmes S Mannagh O Wiltshire O Henry

EMG: J Martin J Clark S De Koning

ELLIS: The key match-up that can turn Freo’s finals fortunes

Last week was a nightmare for the Dockers, and the bright lights may have been too bright for some. Xavier Ellis looks at three important factors as Freo look to bounce back.

Dockers keeping it cool

OPINION: Dockers fans need to shed the nerves

The gates have just opened, and fans are just starting to make their way into Optus Stadium.

Tickets for this clash sold out in under an hour of them going on sale with close to 60,000 expected once again.

Our very own Jackson Barrett wrote why they need to find their voice tonight.

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